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

Some Post-Trip Reflections

It's only been a few days since I've returned to Canada, to both Toronto and London, Ontario; but the differences in lifestyles lived in Nepal and Canada are stark and quite noticeable. I don't have access to the camera at this moment, so will be unable to post some of the pictures that I took on the last day of my Nepal trip (hence -> I WILL have at least 1 more post, in which hopefully I will also wrap up some more information and links on the organizations that helped me out; if you [the reader] are interested in doing something like what I did or in helping out the Siddhartha Foundation directly).

My life in Canada is more emotionally and mentally hectic. Meals to plan, courses to choose, friends to see, dishes to wash, money to manage. The contrasts are very stark compared to the simple and organized lifestyle that I lived in the monastery at Siddhartha Foundation. There are however quite a few advantages to my life in the West. There is definitely more freedom, more choice and more potential for growth, affluence and comfort.

I just hope that in the coming weeks and months, that I'll be able to incorporate some of the simple life principles that I've absorbed via my time at the monastery. I can't ever go back and just renounce my life and 'become a monk', but I could simplify certain aspects of my life in a more orderly fashion, bringing more peace and awareness in what sometimes is a hectic schedule of planning and doing.

How does that LOOK in daily life? BEATS me, but I do know that holding this intention and distinction will hopefully play a role in providing an answer. That's about it for now and indeed the end of a chapter or journey of my life, a great one indeed and thanks for reading this with me!

I have my own personal blog that I started a year or two ago: Julius Ko but I haven't posted for basically over a year (when I started law school). This blogging experience has been quite rewarding for me on a personal level, YET it does take time. I'm NOT one of those individuals who just loves to blog every single day! But perhaps, I could blog occasionally, perhaps a few times a month; to keep the trend. Tell me what you think and perhaps check out my blog occasionally, I think I have it set up with my facebook account as well.

Till then, I have enjoyed this internet journey of blogging about Nepal 2011 - Volunteering Abroad.

- Julius

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

Daily Life: The Monastery and Outside

I've posted already on the daily life in the monastery and also life in Kathmandu, Nepal. However, in this post, I'll attempt to go in more detail of what goes on and hopefully I'll be able to upload some more pictures as well. Before I start, I'd like to say, thank you for reading the blog! And if you haven't read the other posts, feel free to read them as well. I'm writing this for myself yes, but also for others as a mean to share my experiences abroad; as that in of itself can create impact and change in others (such as yourself).

First, life in the monastery is quite different than life outside the monastery. It's so much more simpler and calmer inside. We have set meal times each and every day: 7 am, 11 am and 6 pm. The monks ring the gong at 5 am daily, waking everyone up. Some do chores such as cleaning, sweeping and washing the toilets (they probably do a better job than I do back home, ha!) and others help in the kitchens (to prepare the daily mails for over 80 individuals). There's generally chanting at 8 am, 10 am, English classes at 1, chanting again at 4 pm and sometimes also at 7 pm. It's a full day with mini-breaks in between and that's when volunteers like me can play sports and games with the monks and also sit in the chantings.

The rooms of the monks. They usually share the rooms with 1-2 other monks. It reminds me of when my 3 brothers and I had to share bunk-beds in a room not so much larger than these ones. Comfortable yet humble lodgings.

Incineration area for the garbage! The monks light it on fire weekly. Is it legal? I have no idea, but there's no garbage collection in this area, or perhaps it's too expensive for the monastery, who knows.

Just monks doing their chores.

I'm NOT sure if I posted this picture already, of the monks all eating together in the kitchen area. It's also where they watch Hollywood and Bollywood movies on Friday/Saturday. Also reminds me of my childhood, when my brothers and I would gather around the TV, watching James Bond or Jaws!

More Sweeping. He was doing this at like 5:30 am, I had to take a picture while he was sweeping outside my room. Notice the broom, it's made from sticks. Definitely MORE bio-degradable than our synthetic plastic ones at home.

Yeah, a half-broken outside tap (it doesn't shut off properly). They generally use this faucet to wash their clothes or to take a quick rinse after a game of football or frisbee (eh, I've done it too). I also tried to hand-wash some clothes with only soap and water (like the monks); it's pretty damn hard to do, detergent is DEFINITELY more ideal.

The monks here just got their heads shaven. I think they do this once or twice a month. They do switch the razor-blades, basic hygiene is kept. Good timing for these monks too, a bunch of them just came back from chanting for the well-being of their teacher, Khenpo Rinpoche.

Life outside the monastery is a lot more hectic. As I posted previously, the infrastructure in Nepal is one of the third world. The roads have potholes in them. The garbage collection is non-existent in some parts, there are constant power outages (even though the country has a vast potential for clean hydro-electric energy) and a coalition Government is struggling to form a valid constitution.

There are beggars on the streets, street vendors and stray animals running around everywhere. You stand in the midst of poverty; as rice patties and corn fields line the sides of the roads. It's definitely an interesting place, and I haven't lived with a 'host family' yet; so I can't definitely comment on how life is outside a monastery, I think it can definitely vary in comfort levels. I've talked to a few volunteers that have been spending their times at local orphanages and their conditions were much worse, with quite a few children sharing beds; and not having proper plumping for their toilet facilities.

That makes life look pretty damn good for the monks at the monasteries. And it is. The only thing is though, apparently over 1/2 of the monks do not finish their Buddhist studies, some leave in the middle of the night and never come back. I was quite shocked when a monk told me that. The path and life of a monk is NOT for everyone; and some choose to fend for themselves; instead of sticking to all of the vows.

Monastery - Update

Yeah everyone! I'm back! Haven't posted for a few days, it's been a little hectic recovering from my sickness (just a little stomach sickness) and then my two roommates returning to their home countries. Hence, I've been back and forth from Thamel and the Monastery. Internet Access hasn't been the best recently as well and just now; the computer was READING my camera but it wasn't detecting the pictures! Facebook hasn't been too friendly with me as well; some of it's privacy settings were having issues with the computers here (figure that one out, eh.). I'll see if I can get a few posts ready and just upload the pictures another day.

So yeah, my roommates Djamilia (from France) and Dennis (from the UK) have both left; and I have a new one, Tyler (from Australia). The past few days at the monastery have been good. I've been settling into the lifestyle more and more and have been bonding and playing with the monks more as well. We've been playing soccer (European Football), ultimate frisbee and cricket.

I'm NOT exactly sure why I haven't been posting as much recently. Perhaps I'm just more well-adjusted now and things don't seem as shocking (hence, the urge to write about it) or maybe it's just because I'm more than half-way done now and I've already started contemplating on how life is going to be again once I return home. I'm considering giving up my Blackberry; and going instead for a leaner plan. Last time I spent a chunk of time outside of Canada (3 months in Hong Kong - Summer 2004); I returned and gave up my cell phone altogether!

It's crazy, the quirks about our spending habits in the West; you especially notice it when you spend time in a foreign country; when it's less developed. It just makes you question more where and how you spend your money; and perhaps change it a bit. I'll blog later more about the monastery; how things work, etc; but I'm considering sponsoring one of the monks there (but in this case, it would also be sponsoring the monastery directly - since it is organized also as an institution as well). We'll see though. There's so many questions and information to ensure that your money is going to the right hands, etc. You just never know sometimes!

But yeah, I have under two weeks left at Nepal and hopefully I'll have at least 5 more blog posts left in me! It's actually quite an investment of time and effort blogging consistently, blogging itself has been quite an experience for me. So please comment and tell me what you think about posts or what more you want to hear about (I'm going to do a more detailed post on our daily schedule at the monastery, one about Quest Volunteer, one about the Internet cafe; and a few others!) and share with anyone and everyone that will benefit from this!

- Julius

Just Something to Think About.

I have been recently contemplating quite often the differences between life in the West and life here (at least for my daily life at the monastery). This experience of living in a simple Monastery in the third world has given me much more appreciation for a lot of basic things that we have in the modern developed West. For example, stable electricity, clean and filtered running water, Western toilets, double beds, electric stoves, clear roads (only a few potholes here and there); instant access to the internet (basically ALL the time) and basic infrastructure (ie. the monks here incinerate their garbage! But there are public and private garbage disposals systems here as well).

We kind of take all of this for granted in the West, but it's because of stable infrastructure, technology and wealth that we're able to have all of this; and it's very humbling when; for example; you're in the internet cafe and the power just turns off. Or just taking a cold shower (which is pretty alright during a hot summer day; but come winter?). Or just having a stable internet connection and NOT having to dodge potholes and cars while strolling down the road (oh wait, we DON'T walk on the roads in the West - we have sidewalks! ha!).

On the other hand, don't let this seem like I'm only saying how great we have it. There's quite a few things we can learn from developing third world countries, ones like Nepal. Expanding on my previous post, the people here face more challenges; yet seem just so much more content and satisfied with their lives than we do at times. Perhaps it's just a symptom of being that much closer to the frailties of the human conditions; that leads one in the third world to easily appreciate what they DO have (ie. family, decent food, shelter, basic sanitary health, the opportunity for education).

Personally, I'm enjoying my time in the monastery. It's nice to have a set schedule. Wake-up at 5 (or sleep in til breakfast at 7); blog/plan, lunch at 11, classes at 1 and dinner at 6. It's a pretty consistent schedule that has room for free time. But I do sorely miss home and Canadian life as well! Sigh, the paradox!

Anyway, here's a few random pics:

Me in front of a Hindu Temple @ Durbar Square (Patan). It was so Hindu; that I wasn't able to enter inside of it.

Durbar Square, Patan.

A few of class 3-4 monks helping with Dinner Preparation.

Yep, they're a bunch of Cows, just wandering the streets. Since Hinduism is quite prevalent in Nepal, the Cow is considered to be a holy animal and thus are NOT to be killed. They eat Buffalo meat here, poor little Buffalos!