Hey Everyone,
we're in color.. who knew.. anyway, the journey continues to amaze me.. I'll start with yesterday. No one i know would get on the back of a motorbike with someone she just met a few minutes ago with 2 other men on another bike to take me to the country... ok.. she's insane.. but, there it is.. Krishna and the spirits said it would be ok.. and it was glorious.
Ram Pathak. is someone i met through the film school i was writing to to get some nepali kids scholarshiped out there so they can learn to make their documentary.. that letter was forwarded to Ram who lives in Nepal and is a screen writer and actor on TV.. my hope was to connect him with Krishna's gang and they could help each other.. as it turned out for the moment, Ram just wanted to meet with me even though i explained to him.. it wasn't my project.. and really with the language issue.. who knows what i said or what was understood.. so i decided.. just go.. while my insane mind was wondering if i was being kidnapped for some american money..
they wanted to show me a docudrama they created about the maoist incursion. so we went to a little room with the scary bathroom down the hall.. i don't know if i'll ever get over those..
and of course there was no electric.. which by the way, they are cutting for 11 hours a day starting next month.. great country...
so nothing could be done there and we went to lunch.. that was fun, eating momo's which seem to be a favorite food.. it's a pot sticker.. and lemon tea.. i got to show them my steripen.. although they assured me i was drinking mineral water.. who cares the steri pen was out and swirling.
then we went back to see the film.. as it was getting late and going in to the country was out of the question now.. which was ok by me.. at this time as i'm fighting a bit of a cold and it's damn cold out here and no heat... god bless america.
so the electric wasn't coming as anticipated and so we talked.. they wanted to know all about my life.. and found it fascinating.. strangers.. they have not been to america and i guess i was it..
so 2 of the guy ram and his friend.. are actors, and his friend who i can't remember his name worked in bollywood for some years and is a famous astrologer.. who he says, hillary will win the election this year.. he does charts for governments.. so we'll see..
you heard it first in napal.
so i saw both of these guys on tv last friday as they do a soap opera showing people the problems in nepal and hopefully working them out.. i was with movie stars.. who knew.
so this film i saw was devastating.. as you can imagine.. the maoists went through the villages and just killed people randomly.. it was hideous.. and Ram wants the children to never forget so it doesn't happen again..
everyone is political..no choice.. life depends on it... when making the film they could've been killed as well, they did it in secret. it's all so out of my reach of thinking.. they said bullets were flying all over their neighborhoods and just going out for anything could be death..
so we ended the day by me being taken back to the mystical trek office of krishna and meeting all these israelis we had dinner with on shabot. on friday.
i made good friends with these sweet men and will try and help them in their project as well if i can. krishna is going to help ram get a visa to go canada to attend film school.. i think that's why we met.. but who knows.. i know there are more motorcycle rides in my future to the countryside. they want to take care of me.. it helps that i'm old enough to be their mothers.. so sweet.
ok.. shabot at the israeli household.
there's a rabbi orginally from ny. who lives in israel now who brings university students to nepal to volunteer all around.. for 3 months.. krishna got involved with them in the lawyer capacity and now all are friends helping one another.. so the first group was leaving and we all went to shabot on friday.. it was great.. they rent a wonderful house somewhere.. considering how winding all the streets are i never know where i am.. always feel like i'm going in circles.
this place was up high and really bad roads..more river beds..
they had a make shift table.. on the floor and tons of pillows and everyone was sweet..
it came out that i'm a shamanic teacher and now after answering lots of questions.. i'll be teaching them to journey next saturday..
that's it for now..
oh my god.. forgot the brick yards.. it's ineffable .. what can you say when you see young children working 12 hours a day, hard labor, making cement bricks, everyone living in one room hut, no windows, no bathroom.. and makeshift kitchen.. they work to help their families. most would like to go to school. and this is the project.. getting them out of there so their families can do less dangerous work as well, if they know their children are boarded in school. we gave out lots of chocolate.. which felt ridiculous to me considering how much they really need.. but they loved it.
i'll send pics..
ok for now..
i find myself writing in clipped english as that is how i speak out here.. short sentences.. small words.. it's great..
i'm looking forward to getting to cleaner air and warmer weather..
my friend Star is coming out in a few days and we'll be at some monasteries for a few weeks.. i'll get lots of writing for the project done then.
everyone is wonderful. full of heart, open and loving.. how better can it get.. well clean water would be great and heat..
we do now have an inverter for electric lights when it goes of here.
much love to all of you.
shoshana
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
jan. 23
wednesday ... lots of protesting.. we're staying inside.. r
krishana is riding his bike in protest of the fuel surcharges.. the prime minister isn't dead yet or whatever.. it's all crazy here, the U.S. is more secretive about their misgivings.. everyone participates it seems.. the air is thick with tire smoke and kamila is walking to work at the hospital. i told her i'd walk with her and maybe i'll do that.. got my mask at the ready. i told her i'd buy some veggies on the way home and she laughed saying that is not possible.. i guess no one would understand me.. we laugh lots..
anyway, we 're moving forward with the webpage development and the 3 year plan .. it will be wonderful with enough money.. what isn't?
everyone will get a link when we're up and running.. thank you chris, the web compassionate wizard... all are more than grateful here..
it's been a week and with all i've done it seems like a month.. i'm anxious to help them get their dream of helping all these children happening.
we're going to do some video work at the labor camps on saturday.. oh god.. i'm going to have to be braced for this. the orphanages were bad enough.. one toilet for 16 kids, i'm not sure it flushes.. cement walls, dirt yard, lovely little garden and a wonderful housemother.. i offered to have a painting day.. i'll bring cement paint and we'll paint walls and put their hand prints all over or have them do a mural.. there is so much need.. not even a first aid kit.. and all of them are loving and beautiful. many of these children lost their parents one way or another.
kamila's brother is very political and is the secretary of education for a world education organization.. he's amazing.. so we got to meet to day and talk about education in the hinterlands and getting children into schools as the way to make their life better and help other kids..
this is a huge experience for me.. and i'm loving it. with the cold weather, bucket baths and lots of dal mat.. rice and dhal.. my spelling is waivering.
so if any of you out there know of philatropic organ. who might be interested in helping children get educations.. please let me know.
i'm sending love from Nepal.. i'll be spending a few weeks at some monestary guest houses when my friend Star gets here.. in Boudha.. where the great stupa is.. it's amazing to see these people perambulating clockwise around this stupa spinning the prayer wheels.. that will be me in a week or so.. more places to see and people to meet and network for good work.. this is life in its grandest form..
blessings to all of you,
Shoshana
krishana is riding his bike in protest of the fuel surcharges.. the prime minister isn't dead yet or whatever.. it's all crazy here, the U.S. is more secretive about their misgivings.. everyone participates it seems.. the air is thick with tire smoke and kamila is walking to work at the hospital. i told her i'd walk with her and maybe i'll do that.. got my mask at the ready. i told her i'd buy some veggies on the way home and she laughed saying that is not possible.. i guess no one would understand me.. we laugh lots..
anyway, we 're moving forward with the webpage development and the 3 year plan .. it will be wonderful with enough money.. what isn't?
everyone will get a link when we're up and running.. thank you chris, the web compassionate wizard... all are more than grateful here..
it's been a week and with all i've done it seems like a month.. i'm anxious to help them get their dream of helping all these children happening.
we're going to do some video work at the labor camps on saturday.. oh god.. i'm going to have to be braced for this. the orphanages were bad enough.. one toilet for 16 kids, i'm not sure it flushes.. cement walls, dirt yard, lovely little garden and a wonderful housemother.. i offered to have a painting day.. i'll bring cement paint and we'll paint walls and put their hand prints all over or have them do a mural.. there is so much need.. not even a first aid kit.. and all of them are loving and beautiful. many of these children lost their parents one way or another.
kamila's brother is very political and is the secretary of education for a world education organization.. he's amazing.. so we got to meet to day and talk about education in the hinterlands and getting children into schools as the way to make their life better and help other kids..
this is a huge experience for me.. and i'm loving it. with the cold weather, bucket baths and lots of dal mat.. rice and dhal.. my spelling is waivering.
so if any of you out there know of philatropic organ. who might be interested in helping children get educations.. please let me know.
i'm sending love from Nepal.. i'll be spending a few weeks at some monestary guest houses when my friend Star gets here.. in Boudha.. where the great stupa is.. it's amazing to see these people perambulating clockwise around this stupa spinning the prayer wheels.. that will be me in a week or so.. more places to see and people to meet and network for good work.. this is life in its grandest form..
blessings to all of you,
Shoshana
Monday, January 21, 2008
Hi Everyone,
i have no idea where to start to day.. oh yes, there are protests, and burning tires in Kathmandu as the government raised fuel charges over 20% making in unaffordable for poor people..it's hideous.. so we're in krishnas office without electric which is a daily issue.. it's wild..
anyway.. we're safe..and i had a wild ride on the motorbike to Bhaktapur..it's a beautiful, ancient city out in the country and while there is some semblance of roads for the most part it's like driving on river beds.. my butt was so tired, but it was a great time..
we went to one of the orphanages and delivered clothes, and toys.. it's great to see those sweet kids.. there's just so much to write.. and so little time. we're meeting with the smile project guys today and they will let me know how i can help.. Krishna has a huge network of people all over who want to help in some way so i think the project will fly shortly.
i love being with his family.. and keep being told i look nepali..it's so funny.. and sweet.. these people have such heart.. and it's hard not to give all your money away to the kids..
jeff.. the friend with the skateboard needs is know all over here but has not been seen for awhile,, could be the weather.. we're still on it.. everyone wants the skateboard..it caused such a ruckus for krishna to walk down the street..oh my god..kids were trying to pull it out of his hands.. so we're going to find him first then bring the board..
the electric will be going out for 11 hours at a time starting next month.. and i thought our govt. was corrupt..
when star comes out at the end of jan.. we'll be staying in some monasteries that will be sweet and less insane traffic wise..
yesterday not only were the cars nutty.. but we had to deal with cows and goats.. i tell you.. you have to be so loose driving.. i saw a driving school for motorcycles an they have those posts very close together they have to navigate between.. that's Kahtmandu every foot of the way.
well, i've been well and enjoying the country when i'm out there and family life.. hanging out with kids,,playing lots and feeling connected.
my heart is joyous.. even seeing what i see as the people are so full of heart..
enough for now.
i love you all, wish you well and i'll write again.
oh, i have a cell phone and the number from the us is
0119779803659419
if any of you have skype.. i get free incoming.. i believe we're 14 hours ahead.
blessings,
Namaste
shoshana
i have no idea where to start to day.. oh yes, there are protests, and burning tires in Kathmandu as the government raised fuel charges over 20% making in unaffordable for poor people..it's hideous.. so we're in krishnas office without electric which is a daily issue.. it's wild..
anyway.. we're safe..and i had a wild ride on the motorbike to Bhaktapur..it's a beautiful, ancient city out in the country and while there is some semblance of roads for the most part it's like driving on river beds.. my butt was so tired, but it was a great time..
we went to one of the orphanages and delivered clothes, and toys.. it's great to see those sweet kids.. there's just so much to write.. and so little time. we're meeting with the smile project guys today and they will let me know how i can help.. Krishna has a huge network of people all over who want to help in some way so i think the project will fly shortly.
i love being with his family.. and keep being told i look nepali..it's so funny.. and sweet.. these people have such heart.. and it's hard not to give all your money away to the kids..
jeff.. the friend with the skateboard needs is know all over here but has not been seen for awhile,, could be the weather.. we're still on it.. everyone wants the skateboard..it caused such a ruckus for krishna to walk down the street..oh my god..kids were trying to pull it out of his hands.. so we're going to find him first then bring the board..
the electric will be going out for 11 hours at a time starting next month.. and i thought our govt. was corrupt..
when star comes out at the end of jan.. we'll be staying in some monasteries that will be sweet and less insane traffic wise..
yesterday not only were the cars nutty.. but we had to deal with cows and goats.. i tell you.. you have to be so loose driving.. i saw a driving school for motorcycles an they have those posts very close together they have to navigate between.. that's Kahtmandu every foot of the way.
well, i've been well and enjoying the country when i'm out there and family life.. hanging out with kids,,playing lots and feeling connected.
my heart is joyous.. even seeing what i see as the people are so full of heart..
enough for now.
i love you all, wish you well and i'll write again.
oh, i have a cell phone and the number from the us is
0119779803659419
if any of you have skype.. i get free incoming.. i believe we're 14 hours ahead.
blessings,
Namaste
shoshana
Friday, January 18, 2008
Namaste
well, i've made it.. when i have more time and it's not so cold i'll write more.. just got the electric back so i can get on the computer..
where to begin.. it's amazing, otherworldly place. everything you can imagine goes on here.. the sweetness of the people pervades all the hard stuff. like the endless poverty, messes, endless messes.. and color, texture, smells, unbelievable sights, old folks carry packs on their backs bigger than them. all that hard work aging them beyond time.
my host and his family have been so kind to me even bringing hot water up so i can bathe.. they are so open, and wonderful, krishnas mother thinks i look nepali, so she likes me.. i might get some washing in and hang it outside in the hopes of it drying at some point .. and the air, can cut it with a knife.. aside from all the things that are so unfamiliar and that i'm eternally grateful for at home..
i love this place..it has a heartbeat that is unexplainable.. i feel comfortable here..krishna took me around to the markets for wholesale buying and all the places tourists don't see.. my mouth was hanging open and i was on a motorcycle. while that is generally benign anywhere else.. here .. well .. it's a movie of the wildest kind. everyone is vying for the same piece of road no matter which direction they are going, or if they are in a motor vehicle or not.. but i wasn't scared.. its seemed so natural .. who knows maybe the air has gotten to me.. but it's amazing. i passed by some of the poorest conditions and all i could do was pray.. so much need, so little of everything except beautiful faces with smiles.
well, i'm going into my sleeping bag and stay warm till the morning. Krishna's wife is a nurse and their son rama is 6 and so adorable.. he was trying to skateboard.. which we'll be bringing them out tomorrow to the young man in Temil.. i'm looking forward to my time in cleaner air in the country.. first to work on the project... so much took place today.. but going to bed.. i'll try and get a blog going..later,
I am well, thanks for your prayer and i know my time here will go quickly. good news, my friend star is coming out end of jan for almost 3 weeks so we'll do tthe temples. blessings,
it would be great for more american children of means to meet these working children.. maybe there would be more gratitude.. just for hot water and clean air.
love to all,
shoshana
well, i've made it.. when i have more time and it's not so cold i'll write more.. just got the electric back so i can get on the computer..
where to begin.. it's amazing, otherworldly place. everything you can imagine goes on here.. the sweetness of the people pervades all the hard stuff. like the endless poverty, messes, endless messes.. and color, texture, smells, unbelievable sights, old folks carry packs on their backs bigger than them. all that hard work aging them beyond time.
my host and his family have been so kind to me even bringing hot water up so i can bathe.. they are so open, and wonderful, krishnas mother thinks i look nepali, so she likes me.. i might get some washing in and hang it outside in the hopes of it drying at some point .. and the air, can cut it with a knife.. aside from all the things that are so unfamiliar and that i'm eternally grateful for at home..
i love this place..it has a heartbeat that is unexplainable.. i feel comfortable here..krishna took me around to the markets for wholesale buying and all the places tourists don't see.. my mouth was hanging open and i was on a motorcycle. while that is generally benign anywhere else.. here .. well .. it's a movie of the wildest kind. everyone is vying for the same piece of road no matter which direction they are going, or if they are in a motor vehicle or not.. but i wasn't scared.. its seemed so natural .. who knows maybe the air has gotten to me.. but it's amazing. i passed by some of the poorest conditions and all i could do was pray.. so much need, so little of everything except beautiful faces with smiles.
well, i'm going into my sleeping bag and stay warm till the morning. Krishna's wife is a nurse and their son rama is 6 and so adorable.. he was trying to skateboard.. which we'll be bringing them out tomorrow to the young man in Temil.. i'm looking forward to my time in cleaner air in the country.. first to work on the project... so much took place today.. but going to bed.. i'll try and get a blog going..later,
I am well, thanks for your prayer and i know my time here will go quickly. good news, my friend star is coming out end of jan for almost 3 weeks so we'll do tthe temples. blessings,
it would be great for more american children of means to meet these working children.. maybe there would be more gratitude.. just for hot water and clean air.
love to all,
shoshana
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Hi Everyone,
Just wanted you to know I'm waiting for my flight to kathmandu... my flight from vancouver to hongkong and then to bangkok.. was great.. 16 hours.. who knew.. must be the Ativan.. anyway.. stayed at a gorgeous hotel last night.. unreal. the airports are unreal., so beatufiul I can believe it.
people are friendly and i'm anxious to get to nepal.. had a bath last night.. oooh. great.. good breakfast and thankfully came early as the light through immigration was over an hour..met a sweet guy from england who sold his house and now travels the world.. people are just amazing..
im trying to write it all down.. so we'll see.. lots of shopping in spectacular stores.. marsha would love it here mom.. oh my god.. the money.. anyway.. life will be different on the next stop..
love to all of you and please feel free to pass this to anyone else
interested.
i'll get back on when i can.. in kathmandu..
thank you all for your prayers, love and money..
Shoshana
Just wanted you to know I'm waiting for my flight to kathmandu... my flight from vancouver to hongkong and then to bangkok.. was great.. 16 hours.. who knew.. must be the Ativan.. anyway.. stayed at a gorgeous hotel last night.. unreal. the airports are unreal., so beatufiul I can believe it.
people are friendly and i'm anxious to get to nepal.. had a bath last night.. oooh. great.. good breakfast and thankfully came early as the light through immigration was over an hour..met a sweet guy from england who sold his house and now travels the world.. people are just amazing..
im trying to write it all down.. so we'll see.. lots of shopping in spectacular stores.. marsha would love it here mom.. oh my god.. the money.. anyway.. life will be different on the next stop..
love to all of you and please feel free to pass this to anyone else
interested.
i'll get back on when i can.. in kathmandu..
thank you all for your prayers, love and money..
Shoshana
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