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.
With sack & pack, I stand at Zurich Airport - pretty nervous. For the first time I travel all by myself to Nepal. In the luggage again far too many medication that I should not carry with them.
The trip over Doha was easy. After 16 hours I arrived in Kahtmandu - my luggage was a long time coming. When I wanted to run without it, hardly any other person was still in the waiting room, all 4 pieces fell on the tape almost simultaneously.
Everything charged and searched for - the airport has changed. There was no Narayan outside - but as soon as I took the smells in the air, the horn on the street was my nervousness away. I spoke with a few Nepalis to Narayan. There was traffic jam - a bus lies across the ditch and lock the main road.
When I arrived in Thamel, I quickly showered and went out to eat with Narayan. The next day we organized my stay - what we want to do, how we want to proceed.
The first point on "the list" was a visit to Grang .
After visiting Grang , there was another day break in Kathmandu before we got back into the jeep.
The trip started at 6.30 a.m.; At 4.30 p.m. we arrived in the village. Almost 10 hours spent in the jeep on bumpy streets. Although the street is tied from Dhading to the large river from Dhading, getting through in the rainy season is difficult.
The arrival was very pleasant - the last time the whole village has always been ready - this time nobody was seen. But the bush phone still works very efficiently. A few older residents were quickly there to greet me and Gopi, the cook of our trekking from 2010, came from joyfully. The joy and gratitude was to look at - it was so nice to see all of 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 in front of the room - you get up with the sun. At 8 we met all villagers who are present. A happy reunion - everyone seems happy, healthy and balanced. When I think of the images after the earthquake, the pictures of Grang whose nobody helped after the tremor and now see it so I will only consciously know what we "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.
