Day 46 — Ostrich

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

It was a short day at work today. It’s beginning to sound wrong to call it work because it doesn’t feel like it anymore. It’s like going to see a bunch of my younger cousins. Anyway, it was a half-day because we went kite-flying in the afternoon, atop Lovely Hill. The wind wasn’t too great and only a few kites actually lasted in the sky. I was trying to get a kite up in the air with Prashant but frankly, didn’t have much luck. Most of the time, I ended up in laughter trying to coordinate the wind and the timing of Prashant throwing the kite upwards, while I personally struggled with the kitestring. It was a sad attempt but an attempt nonetheless! It was a very hot day and I found myself searching for the water bottle more than I usually do. After about 2 hours, we headed back down for lunch at the school. My navy keds had grayed so much from the dirt, it looked like I passed them through a huge spider web. Back inside, we played games during free time. After eating but before our farewell prayer, the 2 volunteer girls said goodbye by handing out handmade cards and origami to everyone, including me, as it was their last day with us. They would be heading back to Kathmandu the next day. It was a sweet gesture, especially for their short stay. It hit me then, that I would have to top handmade origami and illustrated cards when I say goodbye… After tea time with the family at home, I met Becca and her parents, for the first time, around 3:30pm for a tour around Chipledhunga. I finally got to try that creme donut (doughnut?) I had been curious about. Naturally, my donut expectations were too high but it still felt familiar and I ate it all very quickly. I then came home briefly, before leaving again to meet the two girls around 6:00pm for dinner at their usual eating joint. While waiting for our food, I spotted a cockroach walking across the floor, from the corner of my eye, but made no attempt to acknowledge it. It was about time I got over it. I felt like an ostrich burying its head in a hole in the ground like an idiot, thinking its escaped from danger. (That may be a myth). Food was yummy, plentiful, and I sampled some new dishes. Manantuna and I shared some giant beers while Sabrina ordered hershelf vodka with our food. Conversation flowed easy until around 8:30pm when the restaurant owners appeared to be waiting for us to finish so they could close shop. I was relieved that the girls kindly offered to walk me home. The streets were dark and lampless, barely lit by open shops few and far between. I thought about the flashlight in my bag and how it was a good idea. Near the house, we hugged, said goodbye, and said we would meet again in Kathmandu — but not before Sabrina took out her camera to take a selfie together. The flash in the darkness was blinding. I went home slightly buzzed. It was nice talking to girls my age and using English in that way again — whatever that means.