Final Post and Pictures

So I've finally gotten around to finishing this post! And as promised there's a few pictures of the last days at the monastery and at Nepal. I think I've had a reluctance to finish this, because in a way it will signify the ending of my journey in Nepal and subconsciously a part of me has been in denial! I could have potentially stayed there for longer =).

Ah well, c'est la vie! And I'm back in Canada now. But first, I wanted to post information/links on all the various organizations that have helped me on this trip (most of them are already on the links section of this blog):

1. Khenpo's Site - http://www.khenpo.com/en1/help.html . I have provided the link for people if they wish to donate or 'sponsor' one of the monks. They're very communal there, so the funds are generally spread out between all the monks anyways. But by 'sponsoring' a monk, you could potentially build a relationship with them via the internet and potentially visit as well! Which reminds me, I still have to send a package to them in Nepal! I taught the monks how to play ultimate frisbee and I plan on sending a package of frisbees over - wasn't able to find a decent frisbee at the local shops.

2. Quest Volunteer - Nepal - http://questvolunteer-adventures.webs.com/aboutus.htm . They were the local NGO that set me up at the monastery and in Nepal in general. Airport pick-up, driving to and from the monastery, etc. The people there are great! I miss you all!! Salve, Sanju, Sila and Dev!

3. uVolunteer - http://www.uvolunteer.org/nepal/volunteer-nepal.php . This is the organization that I found on the web that inspired my vision to travel and volunteer abroad in specifically, Nepal this year (I've wanted to volunteer abroad for many years now - so I can't just give them credit for that!). They have been great in setting up the logistics and all the pre-travel details and had weekly reports for me to fill up!!!!

Anyway, I guess this is the end of it. I don't believe that I'll post anymore on this blog. But if you do comment, I will read them and reply. That's all for now and yes, hopefully I'll continue blogging at my own personal blog: Julius.

See below two pictures - one of the sponsors from France - Olivier was kind enough to purchase 2 sets of soccer uniforms for the monks. They were actually preparing to have a little competition. Tyler and I took that opportunity to name it the "SF Cup" (If you notice the centre of the "field", SF Cup is scratched into the dirt).

Just hanging out with the monks

The Administrator gave me a token of appreciation (he does for all volunteers)!

Cheers! And I hope you've enjoyed this blog and learned something!

- Julius

The Monastery: The First Few Days

So, I've arrived at the monastery, the "Siddhartha Foundation" and taught my first introduction class of English to the monks, alongside my friend and colleague, Dennis! It was quite the experience, it seems that Teaching English to a class of young boys will be quite the challenge, even if they are officially "Buddhist Monks". Kids will be kids, and perhaps I had some hidden presumptions, but it seems like the younger ones are more interested in action movies (ie. Jackie Chan, Jet Li) and sports (European Football and Cricket) than Buddhism!! But then again, I've only been here for a few days, it'll be hard for me to judge.

One of the Older-Senior Monks: Yisia (I have to confirm with him the spelling). Really nice guy, showed Dennis and I around the first day we arrived at the monastery.

Also following a conversation with one of the kids here, I found out who was the Guru, or lead teacher of this monastery: Khenpo Rinpoche. I did some research on the internet and found his bio (link above - oh internet, you work wonders). He seems like a very interesting and compassionate individual. It seems as though most of these kids that I'm helping to teach are either orphans or come from families generally in the "extreme poverty" category (ie. not enough food to eat, etc). Although I wouldn't call the living conditions in the monastery "the high life", all the basics are provided: good and nutritious food, clean water, shelter and a formal education (which I have the privilege of being a part of). Although I am familiar with Buddhism and Asian Culture, I am still shocked by the respect and courtesy that is shown to Dennis and myself as guest volunteer teachers. Although definitely NOT the most luxurious, we have our own private squatter bathroom, a 'nice' two bed suite and they literally bring up 3 meals a day for us and take it away after we're done.

The Siddhartha Foundation - This is only their temporary home, they are raising funds to build a building with more adequate facilities up in the hillside. This may take a few years.

This is the "Suite" where Dennis and I share. Last night we heroically expelled a "Daddy-Long-Legs" and a few mosquitoes from our room, w/o any casualties on either side.

Dhal Bhat - Local Nepali special. Most people eat it 2 times a day, and at the monastery, that is what we're getting for lunch and dinner. It's mainly rice with Dhal (lentil soup), but as you can see, we get a few sides as well, got to love the French Fries (Sorry Dennis, I mean "Chips").

The food is pretty good, but I'm still getting used to it. It's a bit spicy and I think it also has to do with the local water, their water filtration/sanitation/sewage system is definitely not at par with our Canadian one and my Canadian stomach has not fully adapted, even with all the vaccines I've taken, ha!

Kathmandu is truly an interesting place. This would be officially my first time in the "3rd world", and it messes with your head. On one hand, you witness extreme poverty (just tons of beggars, garbage, traffic, scammers, etc); and yet on the other hand, cell phones are aplenty, internet cafes are accessible, and monks play cricket and watch Jackie Chan movies on Saturdays! All this within an unstable government system that is unable to really provide adequate infrastructure to guarantee the necessities of life. And within all of this chaos, the Nepali people just seem.... so happy and content. Especially when one finds himself within the confines of the local monastery; where amongst the surrounding chaos; all one finds himself doing, is eating, playing, chanting, reading, some basic chores and sleeping. Life's definitely NOT ideal, but it's NOT bad at all here at the monastery.

Here's some pics of the monastery pets, I forgot their names =(.



Till next time.

- Julius

Arrival at the Monastery

So today (Wednesday), Dennis and I arrived at the "Siddhartha Foundation" where we will both be spending a few weeks as "Teachers of English" to the monks at the monastery. This was NOT the original monastery that I was supposed to be volunteering at, but as my local guide (Sanju) says "Such is how things work @ Kathmandu"; things just change last minute; and one has to just go with the flow of such changes.

I'm at a new internet cafe, and there is no direct USB port for me to connect my camera to this computer, so I WON'T be posting pictures for this post, but hopefully I can figure something out in the near future (pictures do make a huge difference!).

Anyway, it's nice here at the monastery. It's in the Northern side of Kathmandu; which is a little more quiet; and it hugs closely to some of the hills/mountains. I may decide to do a little one day hike this weekend, we'll see! It is also different than what we Westerners have as an ideal of a monastery in Nepal/Tibet. It's still in parts of the city; yet it's NOT; since it's a monastery. So there's the bustling of the city; yet there is also the serenity of the monastery, all mixed in with sights of local poverty as well. Dennis and I explored some of this, by testing out some of the local foods from the street vendors. I had some roasted corn and some "momos", which are basically Nepali dumplings (beef). Pretty spicy, yet delicious.

Ironically, these locals DID NOT rip me off, unlike some individuals in the Thamel area (tourist zone). I was unable to speak Nepali to find the price, and each time they gave me back change; the local food, costing me only pennies in Canadian currency (well more towards 20-30 cents). I offered to give more money, but they refused. Interesting experience.

Oh yeah, before I forget, bumped into an interesting individual yesterday, Jenny, who quit her job and is travelling abroad for a year, creating a blog to help people find volunteer opportunities on their own as they travel abroad. It's pretty interesting, here's the link: I LOVE Travelling.

Till next time!

- Julius