My apologies to the geography buffs out there--or anyone checking a map. We were NOT swimming in the Bay of Bengal--which is on the east coast of India. We were in the Arabian Sea!!
Just had to make that correction.
We are in Hyderabad, India, staying with a wonderful family (the parents of a friend of Benny and Amanda's). Indians are so welcoming and treat their guests like gods and goddesses--truly! We are so fortunate for all our wonderful experiences here. Can't wait to get back and share them all with you.
Be home soon--we hear it's very cold there. . .
Namaste,
Connie

India!

Okay, I know it's been a while. Yes we graduated and are currently in India. Been to Delhi, Agra (saw the Taj Mahal--a wonder!) and have spent 3 days in Varkala, Kerala, India. Sunshine and WARM Bay of Bengal waters. Actually Bonnie, Benny and Amanda spent 3 days there--I somehow lost a day due to intestinal distress. But I was VERY well cared for and recovered quickly. Now we're on to Trivandrum where we'll spend two nights before boarding a train to head up north again to Hydrobad. Train ride will take about a day, but should be fun with good company. We may head to another beach tomorrow since the town of Trivandrum seems to be just another big India city.
Here's a few thoughts I jotted down on traffic in Kathmandu (but never had time to publish. . .):
*There are very few sidewalks in Kathmandu--those that exist are very narrow;
*It's not unusual to come across a motor bike driving on the sidewalk;
*Cars drive on the left side of the road in Kathmandu;
*Pedestrians walk on whichever side they please;
*The roads are very narrow--and shared by cars, buses, trucks, taxis, rickshaws, bicycles, motor bikes, and pedestrians;
*If you are driving a vehicle and something (or someone) is in your way, you go around (either side--wherever there's an opening);
*There are no traffic signals in Kathmandu;
*There are no dividing lines on the roads of Kathmandu;
*There are no stop signs in Kathmandu;
*If you wish to get around another vehicle, you honk your horn;
*If someone cuts in front of you, you honk your horn;
*If you are driving fast and want another vehicle to get out of your way, you honk your horn;
*If a pedestrian is in your way, you honk your horn;
*If you want to pick your nose while driving, you honk your horn.
. . .just kidding, but you get the picture.
Hope all is well with everyone back home. We miss you all. Only a few days left, it's all going so fast.
Namaste,
Connie

We are sooo ready to start a VACATION!!!

Not much time--it's 10:30pm (wayyy past our bedtime. . .) but I just had to write something. We are doing well. Actually did go to the wedding in Chitwan (long bus ride, interesting customs, and did I say really long bus ride! No pictures because my camera ran out of battery just before we left. And even tho I was able to purchase batteries, they didn't work--either too old, or just the wrong kind. Who knows?) This past weekend we flew to Pochara--very nice, peaceful town with a fantastic view of the Annapurna range and beside a pretty lake. We got up early on Sunday to climb to the World Peace Pagoda and got a fantastic sunrise on the mountains--it was beautiful. But back to classes on Monday and the hectic pace of lesson planning and teaching! Tomorrow we take our grammar and phonology test, then GRADUATION!!!! We are so ready to be done--but not really ready to leave Kathmandu. Luckily we have all day Saturday to go around and say goodbye to all the wonderful people we have befriended here. Tomorrow night we are being treated by our teachers to another Nepali meal--this one is in a restaurant where there will be a lot of traditional dancing and singing. Should be fun!
We are excited to be seeing Benny and Amanda soon and look forward to lounging on the beaches of Kerala in southern India! Will write more soon--I promise.
Con

Bonnie and our driver (Diamond)'s family having dinner in his house in Timi outside of Bahktapur.

Bonnie befriended this man because they both had a strong love for the Dalai Lama.

Our first view of the mighty Himalayas (from the plane).

A reprieve. . .

Okay, I finally figured out how to post a picture. I promise more to come. Actually, it's the first day in a long time that we've had any spare time.
A little civil unrest in Kathmandu today. Went to school this morning and we were supposed to go to an elementary school to teach a lesson, but found out on our way there that the school was closed. Most of the shops are closed as well, and the taxis and busses aren't running. A civil protest in response to the finding of the bodies of two young men who have been missing for about a month. Seems their deaths are politically related. It's all very interesting. We feel very safe, so don't worry--we're being cautious. We have befriended a couple of young men (shopkeepers in Thamel) who have filled us in a bit. Most of the shops are closed, but if you try to stay open (which our friends were trying to do) someone may come by and throw bricks at your shop. So they keep lookouts watching and will close the shop if someone is coming, then reopen when the coast is clear. These people rely on that income and can't afford to close up. It's all very interesting, as I said.
Anyway, our classes were cancelled today because our main instructor (Kamal) couldn't get into town since none of the taxis were running out his way. We're hoping to teach our lessons tomorrow even if the school is closed (Kamal has connections and says the Principal will arrange to have 15-20 students there for us, regardless) The workings of things in Kathmandu are always a marvel!
On to brighter things. . .The wedding has been arranged, and will take place this Saturday/Sunday (these things take longer than 24 hours, apparently) in Chitwan and later Sunday in Kathmandu. We've decided to only go to the event in Kathmandu. Even tho we would love to see Chitwan, it's a five to seven hour drive and Kamal would be too busy to show us around, so we will save that trip for another time.
Our lives are busy with homework. Sometimes we're up till 11:00 to 1:00 am. It's been a bit stressful, but hopefully things will get better. We start a new model of teaching next week and we're hoping it's a little easier. For our lessons this week, we've had to spend hours DRAWING pictures for the children, to get our meaning across. Since neither Bonnie nor I have a drawing bone in our bodies we've been struggling a bit. (Ryan and Bobbie--we NEED YOU!!)
We're trying to decide how to spend our weekend, since the wedding has freed up a bit of time. May go to Nagacort--supposed to have pretty views of the mountains, something we don't get much here in Kathmandu.
Promise to post again soon. Love to all
Namaste,
B and C
P.S. Note to my dental hygiene friends/students: I spent about 4 hours last Sunday visiting a Dental Hospital. Took some great pictures--will share when I return.

School Daze

Monday we started classes. Our primary teacher is Kamal, a native Nepali. His English is very good (he's a highly educated man) but Bonnie and I have both noticed that by the end of the afternoon, he seems to get a little lazy in his pronunciations and we really have to pay attention in order to understand him. On Monday evening we were treated to a Welcome Dinner by the staff. Kamal took us to a Newari (indigenous peoples of Kathmandu) restaurant. We left the school in a very small (typical) taxi, crowding all five of us into one. Since Kamal broke his collar bone and injured his left hand on Sunday, we allowed him to sit in front with the driver. We four women crammed ourselves into the back, which was pretty comical--we expected the doors to fall off at any moment. After about 15-20 minutes we began winding our way up a hilly road with houses lining the street. Just as we reached the top, all the lights of the city went out (they call them "load shedding" here) It was just about dusk, but we could still see the Kathmandu valley spread out below. The restaurant was simply an open-air terrace, no tables, just small cushions to sit on. Kamal did the ordering and we sampled a wide array of Newari foods, including vegetarian and beef items, an absolutely fantastic fried fish that just melted in your mouth, and oh yes--Newari rice wine and rice beer. Kamal kept insisting we drink up and continued to replenish our goblets. When our taxi driver returned to take us home we ordered more food and invited him to join us, which he did. By the time we staggered to our feet for the return journey, we were all in love with Kathmandu! Oh yes, and at the end of the meal Kamal told us about his younger brother, who the family has been trying to find a suitable spouse for for several years (yes I know that's poor grammar--I haven't learned enough in my classes yet, give me more time) Anyway, he's down to 2 women he can't decide between, but he must make his decision soon, since he has to be back in France by the beginning of December. And, (the best part!) we have all been invited to the wedding!!! We are very excited and will let you know as the plans unfold.
School is taxing and Bonnie and I spend many hours each night doing our homework. (Note to my former students out there: I have much more empathy for you all ! :))
I'm close to being able to download pictures, but that will have to wait for another time.
Love to you all.
Namaste,
Connie and Bonnie

Yes, We've Arrived!

No problems getting here--all flights were on time. Just took a LONG time (seemed like days--oh yeah, it WAS days!)
Kathmandu is amazing! Very different life here, but people always pretty happy. Friday spent walking around our neighborhood, getting familiar with things. Saturday spent with a driver from the hotel who took us around to some of the sights. At the end of the day, he took us to meet his family--wife, son, daughter, father, three sisters-in-law, and a nephew. Living in a very cool city just outside of Kathmandu. Family of farmers. We were so fortunate to be invited to stay for dinner. I will try to post a picture. Way cool!!!
Met with our class tonight. Only three of us total. Bonnie and I and another girl who hails from Australia originally, tho last two years she's been doing a lot of travel. Classes start tomorrow and Bonnie and I are both excited.
More later. . .

Preparations, passports and planes, oh my!

Okay, I'm just testing the waters to see how this all works. . .
The preparations are underway, our passports and visas secured, immunizations completed, the hour is drawing nigh. Bonnie and I will be in Kathmandu, Nepal IN LESS THAN A WEEK!!!!!
Our plane departs DIA at 2:25 pm on Wednesday, November 5th, heading for Chicago, then Delhi, India (with a late night stay in the airport) till our 6:45 am flight to Kathmandu, Nepal.
Let the adventure begin. . .