Ghorahi Impressions

So we're back from Ghorahi (and in Catherine-Anne's case, one month away from Kathmandu), only a little worse for wear. Last Sunday, I flew out to Nepalgunj to meet my cutie after 3 full weeks apart. It was a fantastic contrast to spend the next 168 hours being no more than 10 meters away from each other.

Now we're back at work, though both a bit under the weather. I've got a bad case of sialolithiasis of the Wharton's duct, which translates into a painful, asymmetrical, chipmunk-like bulge every time I eat, or even think of, tasty foods. Fun.

But our time in Ghorahi was really special for me. It was my big chance to see where Catherine-Anne lived and worked for a year. After hearing about her adventures since we first met, actually going there was like seeing the movie after reading the book: different than you had imagined, and with incidental music. We toured the hospital, met the family that she is close to, ate lots of dal-bhat, and had a really good time.

Having seen the hospital, I have a better sense of how hard the conditions were under which Catherine-Anne had to work. Basic supply shortages, grungy wards, and some truly shiftless employees mixed in with the staff. We also toured the Displaced People's camps where Catherine-Anne taught basic hygiene to the kids using games, stories and creative puzzles. It was nice to see people from all over town warmly welcoming her three years later and remembering what she did for them.

We're also in the process of reevaluating our post-Nepal travel plans. We had planned to go to India from May 15-25, but recently clued in to the fact that the temperature in the north will go as high as 52°C. So that part of our trip will be canceled, and we're still figuring out whether to go straight home, stay a few days longer here, or stop somewhere else.

On a bright note, Carol Scovil is visiting us for the weekend! It's really nice to hear more about her adventures in Pokhara, and to see a friend from our 'other' life. Tonight is a dinner out at Red Dingo, a local Aussie restaurant which cooks a mean steak.