Excuse the wordiness of this blog but we’re a bit behind on our travels – we’re in Barcelona and we still haven’t blogged about our time in Nepal or Dubai yet!
The orphanage in India is conveniently located at a border crossing in Nepal’s south west. For almost a year of our lives (2010 and now) we have looked out at the Nepalese hills but have never once been there. Our main reason to go was to visit 2 of our friends from Australia, Leigh & Tamara Filmer and their 2 girls Mikaela (maybe misspelt) and Jasmine (probably isn’t). These guys (Leigh, nurse & Tamara, pharmacist) have worked in regional Nepal at the local government hospital and a leprosy rehabilitation clinic for the past 3 years.
We were shown around their workplaces and they explained the intricacies of their work, the difficulties they face and their plans for the future here in Nepal and beyond. Whilst they live pretty comfortable lives for Nepali standards it’s definitely a step down from their lives in Australia where they both left well paying jobs and friends and family to help the development work here in Nepal.
Leigh also introduced us to young American woman who started a children’s home here in Nepal, and we spent an hour with her discussing the situation and comparing the Indian orphanage to her Kopila Valley Children's Home and Primary school in Nepal.
Overall the greatest thing about visiting Leigh and Tamara was just spending time with them, sharing meals and playing (incessantly I might add) with their 2 bundles of energy. The family is moving back to Australia for 6 months before going back to Nepal for another 3 year stint. We’re very much looking forward to catching up with them in a few months back in Adelaide.
The rest of our time in Nepal was divided up between Pokhara (17 hour bus trip) and Kathmandu (8 hour bus trip). We didn’t do a lot in that time – just enjoyed spending some time alone after 2 months of being around others.
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The orphanage in India is conveniently located at a border crossing in Nepal’s south west. For almost a year of our lives (2010 and now) we have looked out at the Nepalese hills but have never once been there. Our main reason to go was to visit 2 of our friends from Australia, Leigh & Tamara Filmer and their 2 girls Mikaela (maybe misspelt) and Jasmine (probably isn’t). These guys (Leigh, nurse & Tamara, pharmacist) have worked in regional Nepal at the local government hospital and a leprosy rehabilitation clinic for the past 3 years.
Overall the greatest thing about visiting Leigh and Tamara was just spending time with them, sharing meals and playing (incessantly I might add) with their 2 bundles of energy. The family is moving back to Australia for 6 months before going back to Nepal for another 3 year stint. We’re very much looking forward to catching up with them in a few months back in Adelaide.
The rest of our time in Nepal was divided up between Pokhara (17 hour bus trip) and Kathmandu (8 hour bus trip). We didn’t do a lot in that time – just enjoyed spending some time alone after 2 months of being around others.
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So you had alone time on the bus? Never really thought of you two as people who enjoyed PDA's. Huh, you think you know someone.
ReplyDeleteDid you do any trekking/climbing at all? Any touristy stuff?
ReplyDeleteSo you're on the move in Europe. Hope you have a great time. I just arrived in Singapore after leaving China last night, and so can see Facebook, Youtube, blogs etc again. In China all these, and much more, are blocked.
ReplyDeleteDon't miss incredible La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. Happy Travelling Miriam & Brad.