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