Internet Cafe, Pasta and the Last Day!

Ok. So this is my last day at the monastery, I'm leaving back to Thamel in the afternoon. But first, lets talk a little bit about the local internet cafe that I've been using. I decided to conduct an on the fly interview with Renuka, the owner of the internet cafe.

Me: When did you start the internet cafe?

Renuka: 3 years ago.

Me: Why did you start it?

Renuka: To support the education of my younger brothers, who are both currently attending University.

Me: What's the BEST thing about operating an internet cafe?

Renuka: Meeting different types of people.

Me: What's the WORSE thing?

Renuka: Dealing with customers and customer service!

Me: Thank you!

Renuka at her desk!

Phone booths for international and local calls.

Last night, we did end up cooking pasta for the monks. Tyler and I miscalculated a little bit about the portion sizes, so the monastery cook had to cook a pot of rice as well, to add to the portions. It was pretty damn cool, because most of the monks have never ate pasta in their lives as well, a fitting 'go-away' dinner for me as well.

Our Big Pot of Sauce, it actually took some time to prepare it.

Pasta!

Moi.

The monks about to enjoy their pasta!

And oh yeah, Yeshey (the head monk) was gracious enough to provide a suitable going away breakfast, see below, CORNFLAKES with MILK!!!!! HA!

Cornflakes from this morning (it's Thursday here)

Me and Yeshey

Tyler and Yeshey

I will miss the monastery! A bientot!

- Ju

The Quest Office and the Final Days at the Monastery

As my trip winds down (this is actually my last full day at the monastery); I realize how much I will miss all these monks! It's been a good time, yet it's also about time to head home and return to my life as a law student! I said that I was going to blog about the Quest Office and post some pictures on it.

Quest is the local NGO that is the intermediary between uVolunteer and Siddhartha Foundation. Their office is located near Thamel and I highly recommend them for anyone looking for a local volunteer agency at Nepal.

Where I slept when I stayed the weekend, and most likely where I'm going to be tomorrow night, my last night in Nepal!

The washroom facilities are much more on par to our Western Standards and there's also ample supply of warm and hot water.

Nice Kitchen!

The Front of the Office. I noticed that I forgot to take any pictures of the actual "office", but it's all good, you get the picture.

Anyway, the last few days. I've been a lot more relaxed with the monks. Time is running out, so the teacher/student barrier was being removed! We've had quite a few visitors as well, with sponsors of the monastery from Hong Kong and France and also Khenpo Rinpoche himself dropping by. It's been good. Tyler and I are also planning a special meal tonight (my last supper @ the monastery); we're going to do home-made pasta. Apparently the monks haven't eaten pasta before, or at least very rarely, so lets see if we can effectively cook pasta for 80 individuals; all for $20 CDN!

Just one of the monks posing for me and above, it's some handwashing that Tyler and I did. Yes, we used soap and water only. I figured I had to experience that at least once.

Goofing around with the monks. Teaching them some card tricks, etc.

Singee (the monk) with Thupten, the greatest dog in the world!

Et (And!). The Next Post.... All about the local internet cafe and the owner! The origin of the majority of these posts!