What a week! Last Saturday we left busy Kathmandu behind to transport equipment (and ourselves) to the village. Early morning we had a meeting with Lotus for the solar equipment, the carpenter for school furniture and the truck driver. With a typical delay of two and a half hours we loaded everything and started our two day journey to Dhawa around 10am. It took around 5 hours on the ‘highway’ to reach Gorkha. The temperature at 35-40oC was only adding to the exhaustion and sometimes I wished we had a little bit of a London weather! We stayed overnight in a local guesthouse, offloaded the truck, and next day morning, equipment(plus cement and livestock food) were loaded to the 4 wheel drive truck for the special mission part of the journey.
Kathmandu to Gorkha transport
Gorkha to Dhawa 4WD transport
On the way, we passed through amazing remote villages and landscapes. The muddy road was only just suitable for using it. Riding on top of the loaded stuff made it an epic journey. It took 4 hours to do 32 kms in the jungle. At most of the journey we were doing rodeo risking falling from the truck to the sides. It was the most exhausting journey but the most enjoyable at the same time! We went through hills, gorges, villages. In fact we were the centre of attention to every local ‘high street’ we passed! Justin was filming and interviewing on the move at the top of the truck, I was taking photographs while making sure stuff remains well tighten and Dita holding us as well as paying attention to low trees for our safety. With very few stops we managed to arrive in Dhawa late afternoon.
On top of the truck while filming
Happy bus passengers
Typical Himalayan mud house
Typical Himalayan enjoyment
On the go, off the beaten track
And a short video of the special mission transport:
It was an amazing feeling, we made it! We arrived at the school’s playground and in 5 minutes we were surrounded by 20-30 villagers and many kids. They were all delighted! We start offloading the truck and all equipment was stored safely to nearby houses. Next, shower to the local tap and dhaal bhat (rice with vegetables) for dinner. This is the only food available in the village and we had it 3 times a day… Meat is expensive (buffalo or chicken) is served only once or twice a month as a treat.
Dhawa_Equipment just arrived
.jpg)
Dhawa_A happy headteacher(plus students and skillfull drivers)
.jpg)
Dhawa_Offloading truck (again)
Next day morning, the kids were waiting for us at the courtyard; when we arrived they all applauded. Giri, the head teacher gave a short speech (in Nepali and English) and we were traditionally welcomed with flowers and a red mark from flower powder on the forehead. It was a very emotional moment for me. I nearly teared, looking at the kids and all the staff school for first time, after months of hard work from London.
Dhawa_Next day morning assembly and small ceremony
Dhawa-Awarded
Dhawa-Awarded in nirvana
The next few days, I surveyed both buildings; LP inspected the building works and arranged for the carpenter and builder to be paid. We went in the jungle to see the wood poles for the transmission between the two buildings and checked the new school building. The roof is badly damaged after a big thunderstorm and almost half of it blew away! Even though we will connect this building with power too it is a setback as we would like to have both buildings ready at the same time. Nature here is sometimes fierce and possibilities for supplies and skilled workers are minimum!
Dhawa_Disastrous storm over the new school building
Dhawa_Giri explaining what happened (dodgy filming practices not using the headphones led to a new cameraman recruit...)
Dhawa_Our new cameraman recruit
Dhawa_Works undergoing
Dhawa_We love school!
Dhawa_Sumita, a Newari young girl in style
After 4 days of village life, it took us another two days (trekking and 4 buses) to leave the village to come in Pokhara where we have power and internet access so we can work. Pokhara is a beautiful, relaxed town next to Phewa lake at an altitude of 1400m. There are many shops, restaurants, internet cafes and trekking agencies to satisfy the large tourist intake most of them arriving here to continue for trekking at the Annapurna Himalayas. It is one of the most beautiful places in Nepal. We will stay for 4 days and then to Kathmandu for the last arrangements for 2 days and then to the village to start installations! Despite all difficulties the project is moving on!
On the way to Pokhara
Ticket conductors' dangerous practices
Pokhara_Phewa Lake-Never Ending Peace And Love NEPAL
I hope all of you are doing well and you are happy whatever you do wherever you are. Life is beautiful, not only in the Himalayas but everywhere in this planet. It is inside us all!
Nektarios
P.S Donations for the Dhawa school are most welcomed! LP is desperately seeking funds for fixing the new building’s roof, buying paint for the refurbished school, improve the wood work and the courtyard as well as building a stoned wall between the building and the road. Funds are also required for school equipment such as additional desks, computers and anything else a school kid has the right to access to. Please visit www.learningplanet.org.uk to see how can you help and let me know so I can give you more directions.
Thank you
Kathmandu to Gorkha transport
Gorkha to Dhawa 4WD transport
On the way, we passed through amazing remote villages and landscapes. The muddy road was only just suitable for using it. Riding on top of the loaded stuff made it an epic journey. It took 4 hours to do 32 kms in the jungle. At most of the journey we were doing rodeo risking falling from the truck to the sides. It was the most exhausting journey but the most enjoyable at the same time! We went through hills, gorges, villages. In fact we were the centre of attention to every local ‘high street’ we passed! Justin was filming and interviewing on the move at the top of the truck, I was taking photographs while making sure stuff remains well tighten and Dita holding us as well as paying attention to low trees for our safety. With very few stops we managed to arrive in Dhawa late afternoon.
On top of the truck while filming
Happy bus passengers
Typical Himalayan mud house
Typical Himalayan enjoyment
On the go, off the beaten track
And a short video of the special mission transport:
It was an amazing feeling, we made it! We arrived at the school’s playground and in 5 minutes we were surrounded by 20-30 villagers and many kids. They were all delighted! We start offloading the truck and all equipment was stored safely to nearby houses. Next, shower to the local tap and dhaal bhat (rice with vegetables) for dinner. This is the only food available in the village and we had it 3 times a day… Meat is expensive (buffalo or chicken) is served only once or twice a month as a treat.
Dhawa_Equipment just arrived
.jpg)
Dhawa_A happy headteacher(plus students and skillfull drivers)
.jpg)
Dhawa_Offloading truck (again)
Next day morning, the kids were waiting for us at the courtyard; when we arrived they all applauded. Giri, the head teacher gave a short speech (in Nepali and English) and we were traditionally welcomed with flowers and a red mark from flower powder on the forehead. It was a very emotional moment for me. I nearly teared, looking at the kids and all the staff school for first time, after months of hard work from London.
Dhawa_Next day morning assembly and small ceremony
Dhawa-Awarded
Dhawa-Awarded in nirvana
The next few days, I surveyed both buildings; LP inspected the building works and arranged for the carpenter and builder to be paid. We went in the jungle to see the wood poles for the transmission between the two buildings and checked the new school building. The roof is badly damaged after a big thunderstorm and almost half of it blew away! Even though we will connect this building with power too it is a setback as we would like to have both buildings ready at the same time. Nature here is sometimes fierce and possibilities for supplies and skilled workers are minimum!
Dhawa_Disastrous storm over the new school building
Dhawa_Giri explaining what happened (dodgy filming practices not using the headphones led to a new cameraman recruit...)
Dhawa_Our new cameraman recruit
Dhawa_Works undergoing
Dhawa_We love school!
Dhawa_Sumita, a Newari young girl in style
After 4 days of village life, it took us another two days (trekking and 4 buses) to leave the village to come in Pokhara where we have power and internet access so we can work. Pokhara is a beautiful, relaxed town next to Phewa lake at an altitude of 1400m. There are many shops, restaurants, internet cafes and trekking agencies to satisfy the large tourist intake most of them arriving here to continue for trekking at the Annapurna Himalayas. It is one of the most beautiful places in Nepal. We will stay for 4 days and then to Kathmandu for the last arrangements for 2 days and then to the village to start installations! Despite all difficulties the project is moving on!
On the way to Pokhara
Ticket conductors' dangerous practices
Pokhara_Phewa Lake-Never Ending Peace And Love NEPAL
I hope all of you are doing well and you are happy whatever you do wherever you are. Life is beautiful, not only in the Himalayas but everywhere in this planet. It is inside us all!
Nektarios
P.S Donations for the Dhawa school are most welcomed! LP is desperately seeking funds for fixing the new building’s roof, buying paint for the refurbished school, improve the wood work and the courtyard as well as building a stoned wall between the building and the road. Funds are also required for school equipment such as additional desks, computers and anything else a school kid has the right to access to. Please visit www.learningplanet.org.uk to see how can you help and let me know so I can give you more directions.
Thank you
4 comments:
psssssssss! ti le re file mpravo filos
panta kala
Great job Nektar!
Keep doing...:)))
Ki auta einai mono h arxh apo th zwh sto xwrio! :)
katektises k tin asia nektar!!fantastiki empeiria k wraies eikones,eidika ta pitsirikia pou xamogelane!!!
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