Castle in the Clouds- A Teacher's Adventure in Myanmar and Guatemala: Last blog about the Nepal trip (3 total)

The final vacation days- “A Walk in the Clouds” and shopping for earthly things.

Day three:

I will have to admit that a vacation to me is sight seeing, relaxing, sleeping in, and a little partying. The sleeping in is not happening on this vacation. Weird as that may seem, it does not matter. In a place so beautiful, it seems like sleeping in is such a waste. Today we wake up and Obin and Sarah take off for places unknown (part of their plan is to take public transportation back into the city- oh to be young!). The rest of us wake up and pack up to go. We manage to take many more pictures of the beautiful mountain and then head out. We hire three of the young men to help carry the bags down, but all of us still are “packing”. I will say walking out is much easier than walking in to the resort. We have about ½ mile of pure uphill and then the rest is just slow and go- down hill. It is at this point I realize how hard the walk in was. I remember my days at Canyon Lake when my walking partner Wendell use to push me up the hills as we were reaching the top or my lab, Buddy, would aid in my struggle. It seems like a lifetime ago; where do the years go?

We reach the bottom and only wait a few minutes for our ride (just enough time to take more pictures and see the locals). Our host family has hired a driver and we are dropped off downtown to eat lunch and shop (two of my favorite things). Bijaya meets us and takes us to a beautiful Stupa (my camera was out of batteries so I will have to post pictures of it later) that has shops all around it. It is raining, but it does not stop our search for treasures. Yet another vendor stops me to sell a flute–like instrument and is even more relentless when I tell him I already bought one (Zachary- guess what you are getting!) I finally have to get rude and tell him I did not even want the first one I bought, let alone another one! I find my prayer wheel, and several more things I will not mention since they will be gifts. We go home, shopped out and ready for bed. I think it is about 8:00pm.

Day Four- More shopping and sight seeing

Who am I kidding? More shopping and a little sight seeing. As I fill my third bag, I start to wonder if my luggage will handle to weight and if I will be paying hundreds of dollars in baggage charges. I will have to admit, I got into the game of bargaining down the prices in the shops. I thought I was pretty good at it, until I watched Charlene in action. I did not enjoy the street sellers who would come up to me directly and hassle me. Of course I could not take the pressure and ended up buying. Who wants skull prayer beads (quite and oxymoron!) and little brass puzzle locks that look like lions? You live, you learn. On my first day I bought beautiful, handmade shawl; I think I overpaid, but I love it so all is well. We leave tomorrow and although I will be sad to go, a new adventure awaits (that is after grading papers, averaging grades, writing comments, doing lessons plans and regaining energy). That’s all for now. Enjoy the pictures.

Reflections:

1. Things are really just things, but when those things remind you of people and places the money spent on those things make is worth it. Every day when I get ready for work, I add my jewelry to finalize my outfit. Most of it has been gifts from friends or things I have bought in a special place. These small reminders help bridge the distance in this time in my life. It might seem silly, but it is true.

2. Sacrifice- some do so more than others and make it part of their life. Others do it when tragedy strikes. We need both types of people. Women in third world countries do it minute by minute. I am so glad to have been born in a place and time where modern conveniences are the norm and time to enjoy life is abundant.

3. When my battery went out in my camera, my friend told me to take a snapshot with my mind. I have taken many on this adventure and I hope that I will always have a clear mind so that the photos do not fade.

4. I can’t wait to share with you the wonderful woman who served as host for us on this vacation. I will wait for the right time and the right words and then you too will be amazed.

The trail up the mountain.