Nepal Part 1: Arrival and Traveling to the Village

We were looking for a different sort of travel experience, one that would challenge us and take us deeper into a place.  We were introduced to Choice Humanitarian by our dear friends the Stephensons.  Hearing about this organisation and looking at the options they presented, we knew this was exactly what we were looking for.  An opportunity to serve and an opportunity to experience a culture in a way we never had before.  Preparing for this expedition was like no other trip preparation we had experienced before both in terms of mental and logistical planning.  It was months of research, countless exchanges with the Choice staff, planning and buying specialised gear and preparing our hearts and minds for this new kind of experience.  Culturally we were not surprised by much in Nepal as our other travels, especially to India, paved the way there.  But we hadn't had the closeness to people and culture that this kind of travel, a trip of service, would create.  It was one of the hardest yet most rewarding experiences we have ever had.  It was a lot of hard work and rustic conditions, but this is exactly what cut through the layers that separates an average tourist from the place and people they came to see.  Sanding and digging all day, and sleeping in sleeping bags on the ground in rustic village school rooms gave us access to experiencing a connection we hadn't before.  It was incredible, and especially since we were able to share this experience with the Stephensons.  That made it a thousand times better.  We couldn't ask for better friends or travel companions.

We flew out a day ahead of time to give us a bit more time to adjust, so we had a little down time when we arrived.

On arrival at our hotel in Kathmandu, a little post jet-lag rooftop pool dip.

The second day we slept in, then attended church (which was amazingly being held in our hotel!).  Then in the afternoon we loaded the coach and head west to the village where we would be serving.  It was a long journey, and stopped for the night at this hotel where we had a chance to enjoy each other's company and begin getting better acquainted with the Choice staff we were spending the week with.  

After a lovely dinner where we got to officially meet the Choice team, we decided to start a game night playing a bit of table tennis and a new game, Carrom, a fun strike and pocket game.

The kids had a great time!  

Trevon really got into Carrom, and loved getting to know the Choice team!

Chris and Scott got into it too!  

A couple we met loading the bus, sometimes when you travel you become a tourist attraction and people want to take photos of you, and in exchange you can take a photo of them.  

Stopped for a loo break en route to the village.

The air quality during most of our two weeks in Nepal was pretty terrible.  People burn their trash and it does no favours to the air quality.  It was pretty sad.  Very few clear days, not because there were any clouds, but because of all the haze.  

Onlookers observing us foreigners as we stopped to have lunch on the side of the road along the way to the village. 

Almost there!  Next, our grand welcome into the village of Chiti . . .