I’m living in a great apartment about fifteen minutes walk from my office. On my first day I was shown three places, agreed this was the one and a week later moved in. Windows had to be fitted and a few other details like screen doors but once it had been agreed, the place was finished. So I’m in a newly painted, pink outside and pink inside, two bedroom place, with a lovely landlord and family downstairs. The five other VSO volunteers in town gave me a wonderful introduction to Bhairawa, showing me around, recommending particular places for this and that, helping me buy things for the house and filling me in on what’s been happening since the first members of the group arrived last June. I’ve had a great welcome too from the education office and people in schools. So far I’ve not managed many school visits, but that will happen before too long and meanwhile some teachers and school leaders have been at meetings where I have had a chance to introduce myself.
My belongings heading off from Sandy's.
Not only all that, but I’ve already had a visitor from home: Mary-Anne stayed two weekends in a row, with Chitwan National Park in between. That was great! We spent a day at Lumbini, Buddha’s birthplace (a topic for another blog entry) and time making home improvement purchases for me. When Mary-Anne was with me the things I bought were fine to carry but since then I’ve brought home a couple of things by rickshaw – a cane cupboard/shelves and a refrigerator. When I first saw some of the loads being cycled around they were definitely something that I was amazed about, and I’m not used to it yet – I was doubtful that both me and the cane shelves could fit into the rickshaw, but yes, easily done. Same for my bicycle the day I decided not to cycle home along a busy road!
For those following my progress, yes, the power supply and internet have been a challenge to me here but hopefully I’m getting sorted now. Bhairawa has 12 hours a day without electricity, two blocks of six each day, with a different schedule each day. That has all taken time to adjust to, but I’m in the swing of it now and have also managed to organise a dialup internet connection, so all’s looking good.
