My trip in 2022
Travel report
The travel report was only recorded in January 2023. Luckily, I write a diary when I'm out and about so nothing gets forgotten.
I'm standing at Zurich Airport with my bags and pack – pretty nervous.
This is my first time traveling to Nepal all alone. There were far too many medications in my luggage that I wasn't even allowed to take with me. The journey via Doha went smoothly.
After 16 hours I arrived in Kahtmandu - my luggage was waiting. As I was about to run away without it, there was hardly anyone else in the waiting room, when all four pieces fell on the tape almost at the same time. Everything charged and looking for an exit - the airport has changed.
There was no Narayan to be seen outside - but as soon as I noticed the smells in the air, the honking on the street, my nervousness was gone. I spoke to a few Nepalis present until Narayan arrived. There was a traffic jam - a bus was lying across the ditch and blocking the main road. When I arrived in Thamel, I took a quick shower and went out to eat with Narayan.
The next day we organized my stay - what we wanted to do, how we wanted to proceed. The first item on “the list” was to visit Grang.
After the visit to Grang, there was another day break in Kathmandu before we got back in the jeep.
The journey started at 6:30 a.m.;
We arrived in the village at 4:30 p.m. Spent almost 10 hours again in the jeep on bumpy roads. Although the road from Dhading to the big river is paved these days, getting through in the rainy season is difficult. The arrival was very pleasant - the last few times the whole village was ready - this time there was no one to be seen. But the bush telephone still works very efficiently. A few older residents quickly came to greet me and Gopi, the cook from our 2010 trek, came running happily. Everyone could see the joy and gratitude - it was so nice to see all these familiar faces again ♥
A lot has changed in the region. Villages were merged into districts, Phulkharkha, where the school is, is now the main town (center city). As you drove past you could see that many new buildings were being built. But this also means a lot more comfort for the people here - if there is now a small hospital nearby, visits to the authorities can be completed without having to walk for hours.
I can live with Arjun again.
When I thank him, he laughs and says – the house mostly belongs to you. Quite tired, we enjoyed a wonderful Dhal Bhaat. For me there was only the best cuts of wild goat meat - no cartilage, no bones, no skin or fat. I'm a little ashamed that I'm being treated so pampered - but with the best will in the world, I can't get the other bits down, and my loved ones know that too in the meantime. Being in the village is different without Tobias and Christian. Narayan is understandably with his family a lot, he doesn't visit that often, and most of the villagers still speak modest English. Although it's always amazing how little bits of language you can still understand each other with - my Nepali is also getting a little bit better every time...
There have also been improvements in the village. In 2016, the village was connected to the electricity grid. There are still few consumers to be seen. A refrigerator is now in one of the small rooms in Arjun's house. An iron is also there. The biggest innovation is certainly the satellite internet that Arjun had installed. The network is called “Bhumesthan Village” and can be used by all villagers, which brings great added value. So many children and young adults are working abroad, so at least you have the opportunity to make contact.
Arjun's children have grown up really well. Abiseth has become a young man who speaks English really well - thanks to the YouTube videos they watch... Bumikha is no longer a toddler either. Narayan's mother looks a bit frail, but blossoms when she sees the pictures of our twins. As a welcome gift I am given a beautiful diary - I always write when I'm out and about. I'm very touched.
I had a very good conversation with Arjun about the scholarship program. It's very nice to see how important and seriously he takes this task. Unfortunately there is not enough money for all poor families, so he carefully selects children who are motivated and who have talent. This is certainly not easy - he can offer it to around 2/3 of the children who need help.
At 10 everyone slowly went to sleep...
At 6 it got loud outside the room - you get up with the sun. At 8 we met all the villagers present. A happy reunion - everyone seems happy, healthy and balanced. When I think about the pictures after the earthquake, about the pictures of Grang that no one helped after the earthquake and see it now, I realize what we have “achieved”.
Funny Old Man wasn't at the Lazy Stone - he was sick and very weak. So I went looking for him. When he saw me, tears ran down his eyes - and so did I. He's 96 and I didn't think I'd see him again. I gave him a picture of my twins and he beamed - told me that there was a picture of us hanging in his room and he was going to hang it next to it.
Afterwards we had Dhal Bhaat for breakfast – what else.
You can read about what I experienced at school here...
Back in Bhumesthan I went to visit the residents. I was handed food everywhere - after 2 hours I almost burst. I missed the two boys again - I usually always give them part of my portion...
In the evening I have my first major conversation in Nepali - Narayan wasn't there and those present didn't speak English. Even though it was a very simple conversation, somehow I'm still a little proud. Nepali is a pretty difficult language to learn, at least for me ;)
Unfortunately, it is now time to say goodbye again. The residents have to work in the fields, there isn't really anything to do. Thanks to the rainy season, it is very hot and wet, so hiking isn't exactly an option.
During the days in the village I notice how firmly at home I feel in this world - how part of me is reluctant to go back to Switzerland, to this affluent society that has lost its heart a little.
I've gotten used to all the little "inconveniences" here in Nepal - almost nothing bothers me anymore (except sleeping on a board, which I don't think I'll ever get used to). Above all, I see the humility, satisfaction and this wonderful community that depends on itself - that is there for each other.
The journey back to Kathmandu was, as always, a bit tiring. We get stuck in the mud - get into a traffic jam on the Nepali Highway... But I have so many thoughts in my head - somehow we get through it all.
I am spending the last few days in Kathmandu. I go visit friends I've known for a long time, do a little sightseeing - but above all we talk a lot. It feels so good to be here – to see all these lovely and exciting people; to immerse yourself in their world.
I am also very happy to see progress taking place in your world too.
Like Jeevan, for example, who I met 7 years ago - he was working as a chef in Dubai under questionable conditions, but in the meantime he runs a canteen in Kathmandu and cooks for 2,000 students a day. At home he has a small farm where he grows vegetables and keeps chickens. In return for the work on the farm, he gives other families a home. There are still so many beautiful stories, so many exciting encounters, so many interesting conversations to recount. But I think most of what WIR BEWEGEN has been said - so I'm now using the remaining time to raise money for the projects - because this is really needed.
