Babu

Namaste. Yesterday we arrived in a tiny village outside Kathmondu to meet Babu and his family. We have been talking about him for about 5 months and emailing with him periodically. We happened to stumple upon his website when we started planning our Nepal trip and we have been obsessed with him ever since. Therese and I started to get a little nervous about heading to this random guy's house that we met on the internet a day before we left. We didn't tell Kaila because then she would really freak out and refuse to go. Instead Therese and I thought of all possible senarios of what could happen. We both enjoy CSI and Law and Order, so you can imagine where our minds were going in those senarios. Luckily, our nerves were wrong and it has been a wonderful experience so far.

We arrived in the closest town to his village by "bus" (more like run-down van) and he greeted us as we got out. He then told us we had a half hour walk to his home. In the email he sent, he discussed how he would pick us up at the bus stop. We were not thinking that we were going to have to walk with our massive backpacks. It was very hot and my bag was obnoxiously heavy, but I didn't care. I was in absolute awe of my surroundings. There are no loud honkings or smoke looming in the air. It is all lush farm land, hills, and mountains. The main crops are potatoes, wheat, tomatoes, beans, and corn. They plant and harvest everything by hand or the use of oxen. It is straight out of Oregan Trail.(Remember that computer game?) There are also tons of animals such as dogs, pigs, goats, cows, oxen, and birds. You can find most of these animals chillin in people's homes living the good life. Cows have it made here. Hindu/Buddhist people do not eat beef because cows are holy to them. They are only used for milk.

The people are so friendly and want to say hi if given the chance. They are a little less used to foreigners, so there is a lot of staring and awkward laughs. It's ok though because I am staring right back at them. The people are so beautiful with their jewelery, makeup, clothing, wrinkles, and toothless grins. The people are very hard workers and have a very simple life. They shower once a week at the closest water pump in the open for everyone to see, although they keep most of their clothes on. They wash their clothes by hand. They eat the same variation of Dal Baht everyday. They eat using their hands. Their homes range from being made from brick/cement to mud. Their toilet is a hole in the ground. They don't use toilet paper. They cook using a wood burning stove. The children play with sticks and whatever else they can find. Best of all, the people live by the philosophy of the Beatles "All You Need Is Love". The families and neighbors are the most important thing. They work together to each other plant their feilds and do what they can to help out. Pride is not an option. They need one another to survive.

Babu has been very fortunate by his homestay business. He lives in a nice home that has western style bathroom facilites. However, he is still quite modest. He doesn't shower with hot water. He still eats dal baht for most meals, but serves his guests better quality dishes. I want you all to meet him and his lovely family someday.

Side note..
- Had tea with the local Hindu priest at his home and he blessed us by putting a red marking on our forehead and placing a flower petal on our head.
- Babu's wife is an amazing cook and prepares way to much food for us. We had to kindly tell them today that we are used to Korean portion sizes and cannot eat that much.
- We walked by a Buddhist/Hindu temple and were immediately invited to lunch. We had literally just ate, but how could you say no? We sat on the ground and ate delicious unknown food. As soon as I ate one bite I forgot how full I was a minute ago and devoured it all. As we were eating, there were about 20 people just staring, laughing, and talking about us. It was a tad awkward, but amazing. It is mind-blowing how people who have very little tend to be the ones who give the most.

This trip is only 6 days in and I know that I am forever changed. I love Nepal.

Heading to the jungle and the mountains for the remainder of our time.

Namaste

xoxo