Last days, and a SEQUEL.
We eat dinner late at night, water falling like corrugated iron beyond the lights.
candle-light --
a gecko dines above
the lovers
Back to Kathmandu briefly, then we return to Nagarkot, where Dhurba pampers us and his neighbours, in his house. He cooks on his wood stove, bringing us food all day.
Matthew, lying on a mat upstairs, eating one of these treats with Nadashree, drops some. Nadashree shines a torch on it. Matt is helpless with laughter. "It's so metaphorical!" he gasps at last. It is. (He makes a mistake, she illuminates it. It happens all the time.)
Dhurba and I found some second-hand children's clothes for sale in Kathmandu. R30 a piece. We select R1000 worth of good, reasonably warm garments, and as we walk away D tells me the clothes were from Red Cross.
A villager helps D carry the bag down from the taxi to D house.
Dhurba also buys gifts for his friends and his estranged daughter, leaving her present at her school, anonymously.
AND Matthew and I buy a guitar for Dhurba, from all of us. (See below.)
There are lessons and songs at D's house, though it is sad too, for we must leave.
We set off for Kathmandu again, and to return Deva's stick to her.
On the way back to Kathmandu from Nagarkot for the second and last time.
We took the stick back to Deva Kumari, with thanks and photographs of herself. We gave her one of the Amazing Stick atop Poon Hill with me, as well.
Here's a picture of the Four Stubborn Bs at last! Taken by a schoolboy.
It's raining and without Deva's stick to keep me stable, I have just fallen down a cliff. What will they do without me to interact histrionically with sundry hazards?
Later, in Kathmandu, we buy Dhurba a guitar. It is a surprise and he does not suspect anything. We smuggle it into the Hotel and write loving messages on the back.
Brave smiles at the airport.
SEQUEL.
First pictures of Lukus Earsman-Moriones, born 26th April, 06, in Pamplona, Spain.
I sent him the money and we are awaiting news of the registration of Dhurba's Orphanage, NAGARHOPE. Any day now...
*** Update 5th Sept, 06.
News of Neil:
http://www.blog.com.np/united-we-blog/category/guest-column/page/2/
Dhurba has his Orphanage, (which he called 'NagarkotHope' because the name NagarHope' was taken.) I send him money and parcels of clothes, toys and sweets for the children, but can't tap into International Charities because D hasn't got his registration number yet.
Krishnadas and Nadashri are married, and Lukas is growing very fast. I visited them in Pamplona, Spain, in July, arriving one year to the day of my first diary entry in Nepal.
The world moves on,and Nepal has changed. Many say it is for the better.
My memories of our time there have taken on a vivid quality. I will never forget the people I met, the poverty, the anguish and the warmth. It was gut-wrenching stuff, very basic.
I can't help wondering if, years after the advent of Peak Oil, the Western World will be like Nepal?
.
Here's Neil! ie Neil Horning:
http://www.blog.com.np/united-we-blog/2006/07/04/maoist-army-in-writing-interview-with-comrade-commissar/
Remember we travelled with him for a while? .
Oct 10, 07
KrishnaDas and Nadashri have a baby girl, born 10 April, just 16 days before Lukas' birthday. Photos to follow.
Dhurba has attracted another benefactor in Ireland, who has raised a considerable amount of money for NagarHope. We found out about each other through this blog, via Google.
http://nagarhope.travellerspoint.com/archive/112006/
Doc tried to set up a Non Governmental Organisation a few months ago, in order to register the orphanage (it seems it wasn't registered after all,) and to buy some land, but he had some difficulties. He's going back to Nepal soon, and this time will stay for two or three years.
Dhurba went trekking in snow and sustained frostbite, which continues to trouble him. I am awaiting news and further developments.
More about Neil:
http://neilsnepal.wordpress.com/about/
.
