2010 International Seminar in Nepal

River Rafting, Rain, and Ravioli…

This past weekend we spent in Pokhara.  It was soooo much fun!  We arrived on Saturday morning, and a bunch of us had already booked to go Paragliding.  We got driven up to the starting point, and I was surprisingly calm.  It wasn’t until the person in front of me went that I realized I had to go next!  I was a little nervous, but my instructor was amazing, and we have a very successful take off.  The view was incredible, and once we were in the air I was relaxed and enjoyed it completely – plus my seat was extremely comfortable!  We flew over the valley and over the lake.  I got to see the many Paddy Fields from above and watch the people below.  We weren’t able to find a good thermal pocket, but we managed to do one small acrobatic trick before landing.  The landing was not as graceful as I would have liked - I landed on my knees rather than on my feet, but it didn’t matter – the ride was way worth it!

On Sunday the entire group went River Rafting down the Seti River.  It was a great day with beautiful scenery and lots of people to wave to along the shore.  The sun was shining, the water was refreshing, and we even got a few good rapids.  Most of us swam alongside the rafts at some point during the day, and we had lots of splash battles between rafts.  The timing was perfect too, since we got off the river just before it started to Rain.  We were all wet anyway, so the rain felt amazing and we all danced around in our wet clothes and were able to enjoy it before sitting down to lunch.  We rinsed off under a small waterfall, and the pressure of the water felt incredible – our own personal nature massage!  After we returned to the hotel, we went to an Italian restaurant for dinner.  I had the most amazing Ravioli there, stuffed with cheese and spinach, and lightly covered in a basil and olive oil pesto.  What a treat after two full weeks of dal baat (lentils and rice) in the village!

I am back in Gorkha now, and we have a very full week ahead of us as it will be our last week in the village.  We have lots planned, including our community project where our group will be hosting an activity day at one of our local schools in Ludidamgade.  As we speak I am looking up ideas for face painting designs!

Can't wait to see how it all turns out, I will keep you posted!

Love Jen