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Published: July 16th 2011
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I’m sitting in our hotel room in Pokhara that we nicknamed “The Treehouse” and it’s raining so hard that it sounds like thousands of stones are dropping on the roof. We have fallen asleep for the last two nights to this sound and somehow I actually like the noise. We had 3 days of “vacation” from training and it has been really great to get out of the pollution of Thamel in Kathmandu and breathe some fresh air, although I’m looking forward to getting back to Autism Care Nepal and the trainings. The first night in Pokhara we all let loose and went to a bar that had a Nepalese band playing American covers. We danced and sang and toasted and it was so much fun! I feel so fortunate to have met such wonderful people, both at ACN and our Knowledge for People volunteers (I had only met 3 of the 11 volunteers face-to-face prior to the trip). Our team has meshed so well and I can truly say that we will be lifelong friends. I also have lifelong friends here in Nepal through ACN and Divyaankur and I am very grateful for that.
As for the allergic reaction
I had to the bed bug bites, the bumps and rash continued to spread across my body. I continued to get worse after arriving in Pokhara and I decided it was time to see a doctor. Sunita and Kapendra, two of the parents at ACN, gave me the name and phone number of a doctor they trust at a hospital here in Pokhara. They called the doctor ahead of time to let him know that I was coming (they are so sweet!). I honestly don’t know what I would have done without them because I had no idea where to go or what to do. Myy taxi driver (and Beth) escorted me into the hospital and helped me navigate where to go (another example of the helping and caring). This is the first time I have ever had to seek medical care during all of my travels and I have to say that I was really scared. The hospital was extremely crowded, but it seemed very organized. I didn’t notice at the time, but Beth said people were taking photos of us…it’s funny how the tables turned because usually we are the ones taking the photos. I was able to
see the doctor within 20 minutes and he prescribed me topical and pill form steroids. I’m on the second day of steroids and I see to be getting better. Phew! I would say I have had at least 30 locals ask me what was wrong and if I’m okay. The doctor even called my hotel this morning to check on me. People in general really seem to care and want to help around here. On a side note to that, our favorite server at our hotel even loaned me his belt for the day because my pants stretched out and I needed something to keep them up for paragliding.
Today Renee, Tracey, Brayden and I went paragliding off of the side of a mountain. It was amazing! We had a guide strapped to us and when the wind was right, we ran and jumped off and were instantly flying (except for Brayden…there was a weight distribution issue and they plummeted before catching the wind). It was such a free feeling to be floating through the air amongst the clouds, mountains, and the gorgeous lake and countryside below. I loved it! I also loved that I was doing this on
my dad’s birthday. Floating up there made me feel closer to him somehow. The only part I didn’t like was that after about 15 minutes I became extremely motion sick (I inherited this from my dad!) and I thought I was going to throw up. I was enjoying it so much, so I tried to deal with it as long as possible. Finally, I told the guide that I might be sick and he said, “Just puke to the right or it will blow in our faces. I’ll have us down in 3 minutes!” Luckily, I didn’t get sick ☺. It was a wonderful day.
Tomorrow we head back to Kathmandu until we leave on the 21st. We took a little puddle jumper on the plane on the way here, but on the way back we are taking a van for the 4-7 hour trek. It all depends on the roads how long it will take. Should be interesting!
I hope all is well with everyone ☺ Thanks for reading! (scroll down for more photos)
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Viv C.
non-member comment
Angels @ Work
Nikki, I applaud you and the others who continue to see the need to help parents and children with autism. You only prove that teachers jobs don't end come June. I am enjoying your updates and look forward to the next one. Miss you back home in Michigan! Love, Viv