The monkeys finally showed up. We were wondering if we’d be the lucky camp that didnt have to deal with their bossy ways. No such luck. In the morning, when i head to the rooftop of the clinic for my daily exercises I now have to keep an extra eye out for the monkeys. Usually i have plenty of warning because a pack of dogs will be desperately barking at something and the sound of rocks being thrown by people will get closer. Even though im expecting it, im still startled by a figure jumping on the ledge in front of me. They kind of remind me of city raccoons because no matter how scary you may sound they dont even flinch. instead they sort of lean in a little closer, daring you to do something. For the first few days that was it, my morning workout was done. Now ive realized that they will do their thing and i can do mine. So imagine what the neighbors think, the white girl next door on the roof with her exercise band is weird enough. Nowadays its the crazy white girl doing stretchy band with a pack of monkeys. The monks who live next door and look down on our rooftop are thoroughly enjoying this morning ritual, i assure you.
Another preferred form of exercise is going for a stroll around the neighborhoods. My favorite neighborhood is on this loop. It is a little glimpse of the Newari culture, which is the native people to nepal. With a cobble stone road paralleled on either side by ancient brickwork buildings, distinct woodwork shutters and doorways. The intricate woodwork is remarkable and so unique to this culture. I’ve never really seen anything like it. In front of every doorway are groups of women spinning wool, children playing games and men shuffling out cards. In these households the animals live on the first floor and family above. During the day everyone sits outside in the sun to get some warmth before the nighttime comes again. So as we walk through, we see families all hanging out alongside the cows, water buffalo, goats, chickens and ducks. I imagine that its like a snapshot into traditional times, before the larger cities made their lasting influence on the culture.
A few of our interpreters are Newari. They speak their own language though most speak nepali as well. We were invited to a gathering a few nights ago at Satyamohan house for a newari celebration. A coming of age type gathering, though the girl was 9 or 10. (most marry young here). In this experience, i learned about food torture. Food torture is when you are handed a plate and many women with different dishes come around over and over and over to deliver a big heap of more food for you to eat. I learned really quick how to say no to this, by holding my hand over my plate affirmatively. Though the women look at my build with a slight disgust in their eye and will plop another mound of food between my skinny fingers. So, saying no doesn’t get you very far i guess.
(this picture is from a wedding, not food torture night)
This leads me to gastritis. The infamous word of nepal. Lol. EVERY single intake with a patient in clinic has gastritis among the list of complaints. Hm.. wonder why. Maybe its because the plants grow in sewaged waters, or maybe its because there is no refrigeration here since we have rolling blackouts, or MAYBE its that the drinking water would make a science petri dish overflow with colorful flora and fauna. Gastritis is not really something we can treat effectively here since the root of the cause is inevitable. This week, our little friend gastritis came knocking on my door. I assure you, its not fun.
No comments:
Post a Comment