Namaste/
There's going to be a wedding in the family..it was arranged last night with kamalas' father and family.. kamala's younger sister is getting married in a week and i can take photos.. what fun.. can't imagine what i'll wear.. but we'll see. this is a love marriage that is having some arranging help.. very cute..they have known each other for 3 years and now the pressure is on as the father met a nice man for her and she finally confessed that she had a boyfriend.. so all's well. and their father had to walk 15 hours and take a bus to get here. he asked if i wanted to come to the country where he lives and i said while i appreciate the offer i think 15 hour walk is out. krishna suggested a helicopter.. but funds are not there..
today we will bring the blankets that krishna's sister (she is a tailor) sewed for us.. we bought 2 huge rolls of fleece with some donation money and she was kind enough to cut them up into almost 45 blankets and we'll be getting a cab to bring those along with the rest of the shoes.. we can't get these on a motorcycle. too bad.
i've been on the bandwagon for compost worms and we found some.. so we went shopping for the right containers today.. i'm making one for krishna's family and one for Aama Ghar the foundation that jennifer bennett of seattle and Bonnie Ellison work with.. they have 38 orphans and want to have composting.. so we'll be in worms shortly..
finishing up the webpage editing and hopefully we'll be online with a nice website soon.
not much else, except the daily, sweet life of living with this great Nepali family.
I helped the boys clean out their closets and drawers yesterday and they actually thanked me.. who could be lieve it and i've been mending clothes.
i still get stared at in the small village with i go grocery shopping with the other women of the house..it's so funny.. and the kids run up to me to speak english and when i speak back to them.. they giggle and run away.. life.
For those who didn't see our latest fund raising offer of 100% cashmere pashminas .. we're selling them at $75 which will include the post.. i can get practically any color and you can choose from either a shawl size which is larger or stole size.. they are so yummy and warm..
we also have 70%silk and 30% cashmere for $65.. these feel heavier and not as soft but still beautiful .. each sell for at least $175-200 in Macys..
so you can send a check to my po.box.. 55, eastsound, wa. 98245 .. and email me with color preference and size..
this is our latest fundraiser for the kids..
thanks so much..
i'll be staying to work with AAma Bombo.. can't wait.. so much for now..
i also will be able to see the Shiva festival.. got to go.. lights going out.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Thursday, February 21, 2008
back in kathmandu
Namaste'
it's been so long.. i've been writing in my other book and i guess with the internet being often dicey i forget to post.. i forget what day it is really.
i wrote the following yesterday:
Finding myself back at my Nepali family home looking out my bedroom window at the neighbors house, mostly painted pale yellow with a swath of concrete down the middle of the building like a cake that found it's center without icing
My sweet room was waiting, clean sheets and freshly swept floor that is now littered with what is left of my belongings.. most of which are on their way to america with Star.
I will finally relieve myself of this huge red suitcase that while it has been a trusy friend containing all i have with me materially, it's soon to find a new home with Krishna who will fill it with pashmina and silk to sell in the us. to pay his way there and money for the orphans. I'm happy to relinquish this red zippered friend i call the refrigerator ( originally the term sukima used for her gigantic suitcase she showed up with in St. John) as it is huge and has a hard time finding it's way down the riverbed streets.. a cripple really not so different than those i've given bananas and money. they also can't seem to find a better way to get along in the world.
My red refrig suitcas has been lumbered by 2 of us at a time to our resting place for a few days and then had a vacation there, standing strong in a corner till my return from a week long journey with star, whereupon it found itself flanked between star's legs on the back of a motorbike, practically crushing the driver.. it was a miracle they made it back to the monastery without either getting killed or killing someone else..
Star bless her sweet heart b ought 29 pairs of shoes for the children at one of the orphanages who start at a new and better school in april.. most of these children never really had a pair of shoes before.. it was a glorious time passing those out and watching them carefully put them on and then put them back in their plastic and cardboard box.. not to get them dirty.. our hearts broke continuously that day as their home is pitiful.. i'll send pics along.. all cement, now going to hav e toilet and windows.. metal frame beds.. ugh.. so i'll be working on getting paint and cleaning it up while i'm here.
i'm also waiting to hear if i can work with Aama Bombo, having her teach me Tibetan Shamanism..i'll know tomorrow.. if so i'll stay here till march 21.. getting some schooling and doing more work on the orphanage and hopefully building some worm bins for compost.
now i'm working on our webpage more writing.. it's great to help in some way.
The people are brillant hearts and all the new extended family is a treasure..Im back on the motorcycle, my fav.. and going to do more networking.
Star was great and inspired me to get more body work even though you could hear us both groaning in the Shiatsu rooms and frankly i thought at one point either he'd break my back by both of us falling off the table as he lifted me into the air with his knees (He was half my size), god only knows how that happened or while he was whipping my neck around.. of course after it was all over he mentioned i was tight in my back and neck.. hey bud, i was lucky to walk out of there.. but we all laughed about it and i'm sure i'll be up for another torture/healing session before i leave..
Of course there's endless political unrest and since it changes daily..not point in really going over it again.. it's a source of constant conversation out here.. and quite a few people are much more in touch with US politics than i am at this time
I'm more used to the dust, dirt and insanity or life in nepal as they say, and star got us a room at the raddison before she left and we paid for krishna, kamila and rama to stay a night and we're all still talking about the availablitly of hot water... such small pleasures..
.
many blessings,.. om shanti, shanti,
shoshana
it's been so long.. i've been writing in my other book and i guess with the internet being often dicey i forget to post.. i forget what day it is really.
i wrote the following yesterday:
Finding myself back at my Nepali family home looking out my bedroom window at the neighbors house, mostly painted pale yellow with a swath of concrete down the middle of the building like a cake that found it's center without icing
My sweet room was waiting, clean sheets and freshly swept floor that is now littered with what is left of my belongings.. most of which are on their way to america with Star.
I will finally relieve myself of this huge red suitcase that while it has been a trusy friend containing all i have with me materially, it's soon to find a new home with Krishna who will fill it with pashmina and silk to sell in the us. to pay his way there and money for the orphans. I'm happy to relinquish this red zippered friend i call the refrigerator ( originally the term sukima used for her gigantic suitcase she showed up with in St. John) as it is huge and has a hard time finding it's way down the riverbed streets.. a cripple really not so different than those i've given bananas and money. they also can't seem to find a better way to get along in the world.
My red refrig suitcas has been lumbered by 2 of us at a time to our resting place for a few days and then had a vacation there, standing strong in a corner till my return from a week long journey with star, whereupon it found itself flanked between star's legs on the back of a motorbike, practically crushing the driver.. it was a miracle they made it back to the monastery without either getting killed or killing someone else..
Star bless her sweet heart b ought 29 pairs of shoes for the children at one of the orphanages who start at a new and better school in april.. most of these children never really had a pair of shoes before.. it was a glorious time passing those out and watching them carefully put them on and then put them back in their plastic and cardboard box.. not to get them dirty.. our hearts broke continuously that day as their home is pitiful.. i'll send pics along.. all cement, now going to hav e toilet and windows.. metal frame beds.. ugh.. so i'll be working on getting paint and cleaning it up while i'm here.
i'm also waiting to hear if i can work with Aama Bombo, having her teach me Tibetan Shamanism..i'll know tomorrow.. if so i'll stay here till march 21.. getting some schooling and doing more work on the orphanage and hopefully building some worm bins for compost.
now i'm working on our webpage more writing.. it's great to help in some way.
The people are brillant hearts and all the new extended family is a treasure..Im back on the motorcycle, my fav.. and going to do more networking.
Star was great and inspired me to get more body work even though you could hear us both groaning in the Shiatsu rooms and frankly i thought at one point either he'd break my back by both of us falling off the table as he lifted me into the air with his knees (He was half my size), god only knows how that happened or while he was whipping my neck around.. of course after it was all over he mentioned i was tight in my back and neck.. hey bud, i was lucky to walk out of there.. but we all laughed about it and i'm sure i'll be up for another torture/healing session before i leave..
Of course there's endless political unrest and since it changes daily..not point in really going over it again.. it's a source of constant conversation out here.. and quite a few people are much more in touch with US politics than i am at this time
I'm more used to the dust, dirt and insanity or life in nepal as they say, and star got us a room at the raddison before she left and we paid for krishna, kamila and rama to stay a night and we're all still talking about the availablitly of hot water... such small pleasures..
.
many blessings,.. om shanti, shanti,
shoshana
Monday, February 11, 2008
catching up
Namaste'
i'm so far behind.. so sorry. i'm in Pokhara, having been to lumbini with all the temples and the birth place of Buddha.. sweet place, lots of walking and finally got a rickshaw to get home.. beautiful temples from around the world and an amazing peace temple from japan, which they also have a replica of here in pokhara. i'll get to the fun thing first.. chitwan, national park.. what a gas.. we went elephant riding in the jungle, of sorts, looking for tigers and rhinos.. there was no way i was walking through that.. on the elephant was great fun, 4 of us in a basket kind of crate and hanging out for a few hours. we saw quite a few rhinos, deer, monkeys, no tiger.. oh well, it was fun.. then to the elephant bath.. oh my god.. we, star and i got on the elephant in the river and it sprayed us.. and soaked us in bathing fun.. then hanging on for life, as she lowered herself into the water, we slipped off into the river and god only know what was living in there.. no matter, not sick.. and then we washed her.. with a pumice stone.. the elephants are so sweet and we loved them.. fed them bananas.. and had a blast..had to walk back to the hotel soaking wet.. thank goodness it was warm.. i'll never forget that experience.. who knew i had it in me..
i'd do it again..
also went to a cultural show of the people of the therai region.. lovely people.. and i'll refrain from all the political stuff as it's exhausting and awful.. they have amazing dances and at the end of the show.. i got up there and danced with them as well.. i was exhausted.. but thrilled.. we met some wonderful folks at the parkland resort.. had a great time.. can't wait to go back..
also... we were chased by baby elephants.. we bought cookies for them to eat something they sell there.. and they came over the fence and started chasing us around the grounds for more cookies.. we all started running .. and them came back, as they are babies.. but huge babies and really pushy.. then their mother came over the fence to get them and we really started running.. but all was well and they all went back.. oh god what a day.. and just like the nepali people to be so blasse about the whole thing.. we laughed about this endlessly.
i'm now in pokhara.. after quite a beautiful ride from lumbini,, 5 hours.. and the brakes failed going downhill.. but all was well and our driver got them fixed before he went back to kathmandu. we'll fly back.. as that drive is 8-9 harrowing hours.. the flight is 30 minutes and we'll see the himalayas..
i'm in a bit of a respite.. getting some massages for $10.. and chilling out before going back to kathmandu to paint and help clean up this house for the kids to move into..
been meeting more people who are interested in the project and many more people who are doing things on their own.. they love nepal and are very frustrated by their government's corruption.. it horrible here politically. i think the only way at this time to get anything done is community by community.. and every bit helps. people are so grateful.
i also had the most amazing ride from hell with krishna and his wife kamila and krishna's mom into the back country where krishna is from.. i can't even begin to describe the road.. it's the new road.. ok.. let's say.. its a start of a road.. we were in a 4 wheel drive that got stuck twice, the second time for hours.. but we the women had fun.. and these beautiful women from the country couldnt get over my white skin.. it was hilarious.. and we'd talk to each other in our own language as if we understood each other and maybe we did.. they are all heart.. i love them i've got great pics and when i get back i'll put some on if the electric god is cooperative .. as they say in nepal .. many things are difficult..
so for now.. i'll close as it's getting chilly.. ive eaten too much good food.. covet the cipro and bought more for practically pennies.. which really pissed me off about our pharmaceutical folks.. oh well.. more life..
much love to all of you..
krishna is going to bring beautiful 100% cashmere pashmina scarves to america for a good price, save your pennies.. they are great.
not much else that i can either remember or can write.. the journey of my heart continues to open like a lotus.. it's the people and i look forward to being in better shape next time and warmer weather to trek the annapurna for a bit anyway.. who is going to join me?
much love to you,, great blessings of happiness..
shoshana
i'm so far behind.. so sorry. i'm in Pokhara, having been to lumbini with all the temples and the birth place of Buddha.. sweet place, lots of walking and finally got a rickshaw to get home.. beautiful temples from around the world and an amazing peace temple from japan, which they also have a replica of here in pokhara. i'll get to the fun thing first.. chitwan, national park.. what a gas.. we went elephant riding in the jungle, of sorts, looking for tigers and rhinos.. there was no way i was walking through that.. on the elephant was great fun, 4 of us in a basket kind of crate and hanging out for a few hours. we saw quite a few rhinos, deer, monkeys, no tiger.. oh well, it was fun.. then to the elephant bath.. oh my god.. we, star and i got on the elephant in the river and it sprayed us.. and soaked us in bathing fun.. then hanging on for life, as she lowered herself into the water, we slipped off into the river and god only know what was living in there.. no matter, not sick.. and then we washed her.. with a pumice stone.. the elephants are so sweet and we loved them.. fed them bananas.. and had a blast..had to walk back to the hotel soaking wet.. thank goodness it was warm.. i'll never forget that experience.. who knew i had it in me..
i'd do it again..
also went to a cultural show of the people of the therai region.. lovely people.. and i'll refrain from all the political stuff as it's exhausting and awful.. they have amazing dances and at the end of the show.. i got up there and danced with them as well.. i was exhausted.. but thrilled.. we met some wonderful folks at the parkland resort.. had a great time.. can't wait to go back..
also... we were chased by baby elephants.. we bought cookies for them to eat something they sell there.. and they came over the fence and started chasing us around the grounds for more cookies.. we all started running .. and them came back, as they are babies.. but huge babies and really pushy.. then their mother came over the fence to get them and we really started running.. but all was well and they all went back.. oh god what a day.. and just like the nepali people to be so blasse about the whole thing.. we laughed about this endlessly.
i'm now in pokhara.. after quite a beautiful ride from lumbini,, 5 hours.. and the brakes failed going downhill.. but all was well and our driver got them fixed before he went back to kathmandu. we'll fly back.. as that drive is 8-9 harrowing hours.. the flight is 30 minutes and we'll see the himalayas..
i'm in a bit of a respite.. getting some massages for $10.. and chilling out before going back to kathmandu to paint and help clean up this house for the kids to move into..
been meeting more people who are interested in the project and many more people who are doing things on their own.. they love nepal and are very frustrated by their government's corruption.. it horrible here politically. i think the only way at this time to get anything done is community by community.. and every bit helps. people are so grateful.
i also had the most amazing ride from hell with krishna and his wife kamila and krishna's mom into the back country where krishna is from.. i can't even begin to describe the road.. it's the new road.. ok.. let's say.. its a start of a road.. we were in a 4 wheel drive that got stuck twice, the second time for hours.. but we the women had fun.. and these beautiful women from the country couldnt get over my white skin.. it was hilarious.. and we'd talk to each other in our own language as if we understood each other and maybe we did.. they are all heart.. i love them i've got great pics and when i get back i'll put some on if the electric god is cooperative .. as they say in nepal .. many things are difficult..
so for now.. i'll close as it's getting chilly.. ive eaten too much good food.. covet the cipro and bought more for practically pennies.. which really pissed me off about our pharmaceutical folks.. oh well.. more life..
much love to all of you..
krishna is going to bring beautiful 100% cashmere pashmina scarves to america for a good price, save your pennies.. they are great.
not much else that i can either remember or can write.. the journey of my heart continues to open like a lotus.. it's the people and i look forward to being in better shape next time and warmer weather to trek the annapurna for a bit anyway.. who is going to join me?
much love to you,, great blessings of happiness..
shoshana
Saturday, February 02, 2008
Star's here
Hi Everyone,
Well, the good news is Star arrived and it was great to see her.. no real problems except she had to sleep in the airport in singapore due to some mix up.. but all's well. we spent a few days with dysentery at the monastery.. but cipro is a miracle drug.. fine now.. going to get a massage .. went to see Aama Bombo.. she is amazing.. so sweet and authentic.. we got worked on and blessed and all those i had pictures of..you got blessed to. mom, scott and the boys and dad and judy as well.. dean she asked who you were and about shanti.. all is well..
i think she fixed my ear ringing and we're going back for more treatments for star.. i can't help but hug and kiss her each time i'm there.. she's wonderful, so full of love... i asked to be opened more to spirit and she channeled all the dieties, christ and the works through her to me.. it was awesome..
the monastery is sweet.. did the laundry dance and our laundry short of freezing as we're still cold here.. will fiinally dry ont he roof top today..
we're going to get some body work and chill a bit and off on more adventures tomorrow..
been working on the webpage info.. so chris hopefully that will come your way after Tom edits it for us.. Tom do you mind? thanks honey..
well take care.. lots of love from Nepal.. the strike was averted last night or no one would be driving.. the prices of fuel will remain the same hopefully for some time..
love you all,
Shoshana
Well, the good news is Star arrived and it was great to see her.. no real problems except she had to sleep in the airport in singapore due to some mix up.. but all's well. we spent a few days with dysentery at the monastery.. but cipro is a miracle drug.. fine now.. going to get a massage .. went to see Aama Bombo.. she is amazing.. so sweet and authentic.. we got worked on and blessed and all those i had pictures of..you got blessed to. mom, scott and the boys and dad and judy as well.. dean she asked who you were and about shanti.. all is well..
i think she fixed my ear ringing and we're going back for more treatments for star.. i can't help but hug and kiss her each time i'm there.. she's wonderful, so full of love... i asked to be opened more to spirit and she channeled all the dieties, christ and the works through her to me.. it was awesome..
the monastery is sweet.. did the laundry dance and our laundry short of freezing as we're still cold here.. will fiinally dry ont he roof top today..
we're going to get some body work and chill a bit and off on more adventures tomorrow..
been working on the webpage info.. so chris hopefully that will come your way after Tom edits it for us.. Tom do you mind? thanks honey..
well take care.. lots of love from Nepal.. the strike was averted last night or no one would be driving.. the prices of fuel will remain the same hopefully for some time..
love you all,
Shoshana
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