Note: I wrote this blog on the morning of September 8th, before the peaceful “Gen Z” protest against government corruption turned violent, resulting in the heartbreaking loss of 19 young protestors. I’ll be sharing another post soon with my reflections on what is currently unfolding here in Nepal.
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This past weekend I took a trip outside of Kathmandu Valley to get a little break from city life and to clear my head. It was absolutely beautiful. My friend Jady and I stayed in a guesthouse in Dhulikhel the first night – in a room that overlooked the surrounding mountains and felt like we were floating in the clouds. Prem, the owner, was all smiles and kindness, telling stories of his days as a trekking guide while offering fresh mint tea from his garden.
The next morning we walked to Namobuddha Monastery, a sacred pilgrimage site for Buddhists, nestled on top of a hillside with panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. The walk began in a sea of fog, but as the hours went by, the sun burned it off and we were rewarded with breathtaking views of the valleys, lush forest, and rolling mountains. Catching the first glimpse of the monastery with its glittering golden roofs felt pretty magical. There were no photos allowed inside, but please believe me when I tell you that the prayer halls were beautiful and the quiet was so peaceful it felt like it was enveloping my body.
After a huge portion of dal bhat for lunch, the walk continued on to the town of Panauti, taking us down into the valley through rice fields and villages. We were greeted with many toothy “Namaste’s” and groups of giggling children. A sudden and heavy monsoon rain forced us to seek refuge in a cute little teahouse where I sat staring out the window, sipping on some sugary black tea, smiling to myself. I felt like I was in a Ghibli movie.
Our night in Panauti resulted in us changing accommodation late in the evening due to discovering bed bugs – eek! Despite being in a fresh bed, I couldn’t sleep well because I kept on thinking I could feel something crawling on me. But even with the lack of sleep, we managed to muster up the energy to explore the heart of one of the oldest towns in Nepal, and I’m so glad we did! Every little street and alleyway felt like we were being transported back in time.
On the bumpy drive back to Patan Dhoka (my neighbourhood), I felt carsick from all the intense swerving and breaking – and tired – and so ready to be back home.
Home.
That thought made me smile as my body was thrown around like a ragdoll in the backseat. It was the same thought I got when coming back from my Thailand visa-run a few weeks ago. The feeling that my apartment in Tara Art House is my home. I thought I would immediately take a nap after showering, but surprisingly I got reenergized being back in my own space. With my body scrubbed clean, I wandered onto the rooftop patio and was greeted by Bhairaj (the owner of the guesthouse), Didi (she takes care of everyone), and Nazira (staying in the room next to mine). We all sat and chatted, drinking coffee, and somehow I forgot how tired I was.
My life feels so full here. It’s hard to imagine that just a few months ago I had never walked through Patan Dhoka, eaten dal bhat, or met Helika and Jagannath (my coworkers, but they are so much more than that). This neighbourhood, the food, the people – this is my whole world now and I love it. I’m not saying it’s been all sunshine and roses, there have most definitely been challenges and bad days along the way, but I just feel so alive and better connected to myself than I have in a long time.
Being a solo intern, I spend a lot of time with myself, and especially in the beginning, that was really difficult for me. I missed my friends, my partner, and my routine that I was used to. But as time went on I became more comfortable being alone – reading, writing, visiting cafés and restaurants, and working on my Capstone. For my project I’m creating a scrapbook filled with photos, tickets, mementos, and notes. It’s been an amazing way for me to reflect on my experiences here and slow down in the evenings before bed.
I’m also grateful for being a solo intern because it forced me to really put myself out there and build connections. I’ve joined a women-led hiking group, attended workshops, music shows, and outdoor movie nights – meeting interesting and lovely people along the way.
However, the most significant connections I’ve built are with Helika and Jagannath – I can’t begin to describe how much they mean to me! In my previous blog post I wrote about how they were my guiding lights, and while they are still that for me, they have also become my close friends. Even though I have only known them for a few short months, I know I will be connected to them for the rest of my life.
The office days become lighter and full of laughter and chats when the three of us sit around our communal desk, and many evenings after work they come over to my apartment. We sit on the floor, sipping hot chocolate, tea, and coffee, nibbling on fruits and cookies, learning more about each other’s lives, beliefs, dreams, and views of the world. I cherish those evenings. Talking with them has expanded my worldview, has made me face the privileges I have and question some of my western values. They have made me reflect on what kind of person I want to be in the future – for myself and those around me.
With less than two months left of my internship (!!!!), I want to soak in every moment and try to not think about how sad I will be when it’s time for me to board the plane. I’m looking forward to more post-work hangouts, exploring different parts of Kathmandu Valley and the surrounding area, spending time with Helika’s wonderful sisters, experiencing Nepal’s festival season, and continuing to reflect and learn as much as I can during my time here.
Until next time 🙂
