Millie & Vikki in Nepal: Final day in Kathmandu

Wednesday 25 August 2010

Final day in Kathmandu

Namaste!!

Today we went down for breakfastand after yesterdays MASSIVE breakfast (2 slices of toast, a croissant, an apple and a spanish omlette...each) we asked if we could just have a single slice of toast each which was greated by laughter. And then even more laughter as he went into the kitchen to recount our request to his family. Of course, we got out one slice of toast each but they were concernedwe weren't eating enough so then brought out cake, bananas and apples too. We then met Patemba, our sherpa guide to discuss our plans. We'd be meeting at the Asmita tomorrow and because Tumlingtar airport is closed, we'd be going by bus. FOR 42 HOURS. (rather then a 45 minutes flight to Tumlingtar). We nearly cried. But it's all ok.We went and bought 1300 rs worth of food (nothing healthy whatsoever!) and then went shopping to drown our sorrows (we're now the proud owners of walking poles, adaptors, stationary and matcing maxi skirts) We went out to Thamel House (a gourmet restaurant by Nepalese standards) looking really cool in our matching skirts and for 750 rupees for the 2 of us (about 3pounds each) we enjoyed a delicious meal accompanied bysome Nepalese dancing and music.

However the highlight of our day. SUN. Yes blue sky and sun! We went a whole morning rain free, then there was a outburst of rain at midday, and then it happened! It was amazing (we have pictures to prove!)

Whilst we're on the subject of photos, we would really like to upload and share some photos BUT about every minute we get virus warnings on these computers so we'll have to wait till we return!

This will be our last post till we disappear off the radar till about the14th of September! Bye!!!!

lots of love, Millie xxxxxxxx

sun

4 comments:

Sanchia25 August 2010 at 07:45
Ooh, can't wait to see these maxi skirts! Have fun, looking forward to your blog posts from the other side ...
xxx
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Unknown25 August 2010 at 07:50
Have a really great time and take care.
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schoolkid25 August 2010 at 10:43
I'm sure the bus will be fine - a bit like a Norfolk Ski Club trip to Courcheval! As you're travelling with Nepalese Dr and friends you may get a chance to learn some handy Nepalese phrases en route. Maxi skirts sound good- I had one for trekking 25 years ago( black and brown stripes with elastic waist) which looked very fetching with leather walking boots and red socks I seem to remember!
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schoolkid25 August 2010 at 10:44
That was Mum by the way not Alex
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About Nepal in Need

Nepal In Need work high up in the Arun Valley of Eastern Nepal providing basic health care to the indigenous Rai and Sherpa people. This is an area of steeply forested valleys, rushing glacial rivers and soaring peaks. Immense beauty and enormous logistical problems.In 2008 Catherine Blaiklock and Gyaljen Sherpa funded and set up the Khenpalung Community Health Centre in the Sankhuwasabha district . This is an arduous three day walk from the nearest road. The centre is staffed by two doctors and two nurses. A further health post has now been set up in the Sherpa village of Gontala, two days higher up . Previously, there was no provision for health in the area so sick people had to be stretchered down to the district capital and this took three to four days. Many died especially children and babies. Now for the first time children are receiving innoculations, women are being treated for the many gynaecological problems and antibiotics are being prescribed for TB.

LOGISTICAL PROBLEMS There is no electricity in any of these villages - it took four men, five days to haul a generator up to our health centre: across ragged cliffs, over high passes, sometimes balancing on precarious bamboo bridges and through jungle. 52 porters carried up an x-ray machine, solar panels, drugs and equipment.

FUTURE PLANS We would like to build many more health centres in Nepal. There are thousands of villages in this area alone with no access even to an aspirin. A small health centre can be built and equipped for £5000. A barefoot doctor costs £80 per month. Most generic drugs manufactured in India cost a matter of pence and can save a life. There are schools with no books, no stationary and no pens. There are no maps or posters; the blackboards are painted on mud walls making it difficult to read the chalk lettering. A number of schools have no toilets. We have 70 houses that are 9km from a water source. Can you help us solve any of these problems?