Namaste

• My last full day in Nepal • I'm up by 6:30 with the sun streaming in our windows & hitting my book - it looks like it will be a lovely day • The dogs have finally quieted down, the birds are chirping, horns honking and all is good in my little corner of Kathmandu - all but my stomach • I've taken another antibiotic, an off stomach is something I do not want to be dealing with as I travel home - my first flight, from Kathmandu to Hong Kong leaves tonight at 11:30 • Nepalese music is blasting from a neighbor's house & pigeons are cooing on a roof near by • Lucked in and had another hot shower - must be the lack of people in the hostel • I am going to savor my last day here • Kitti, Morgan & I decided to have a leisurely day in Thamel, after I packed up my gear in the morning • I thought purchasing some croissants from the Dutch bakery for the plane might help my stomach as I travel • I stood in the sun & beautiful weather, knowing it would be the last nice weather I would see for a while • I even managed to get a red nose • I wanted to check in with our seamstress to make sure she got the correct measurement for my pant length, and, much to my surprise, my outfits were done • Wow - yet again • I tried on the tops over my t-shirt, and one neckline was not as I requested, but, it was quite pretty so decided not to have it altered • Both Kitti and Morgan had gone off to get their pieces to have alterations done (Morgan a Sari top and Kitti had a pair of pants made) • I sat patiently on the stool in the tiny little sewing store while they ironed my outfits • All three of us were given a scarf from our seamstress, because we had given her some material we bought, which we didn't use in the end • See what I mean about generosity - it came when you least expected it - and it was very touching & humbling • This whole trip has in fact been very humbling - it has put things in check for me - what is important, who is important and what should be important • Sometimes, I think it takes living another lifestyle for you to note things with such clarity, at least it does for  me • I never got culture shock - I've done a bit of traveling in my day - so didn't expect to - but at the same time, had no idea what to expect • This far away land, on the other side of the world, literally, has made me take stock of things • I've always been a hands on student, so this trip provided a great classroom for me • I passed on my last dinner of Daal Bhaat - no surprise there- and was whisked to the airport by Bagwan, the hostel's driver • Kathmandu Airport sure like there security checks - bags checked before going into the terminal, before checking in, I was frisked before entering the gates, my carry on were checked, but I was allowed to keep my 1 Litre bottle of water, and then frisked again before going on the plane • It was the last day of world cup cricket and televisions were in every corner turned on to the match • When the match was over  there was joy throughout the airport - leaving on a high note is always a good thing • Namaste Nepal - when spoken to another person, it is commonly accompanied by a slight bow made with hands pressed together, palms touching and fingers pointed upwards, in front of the chest