If anything could get me to start posting again, I guess a trip to Kathmandu would be right up there. What am I doing in Nepal? Well, I seem to have found a fairly tolerant wife who is willing to send me off on my own for three weeks while she manages the home front and the two dreadful creatures. I should say that because we are living in Cork, Ireland we do have her loving, supportive family around as well as a stable of Irish student babysitters that we picked at random off the internet to care for the wildebeasts. I am primarily in Nepal for a long overdue visit to Gombu and Sumi Sherpa who worked for us in the bar and coffee house in New York but more importantly looked after our daughter Kate and were a constant presence in her life from the moment she was born to three years ago when they returned to Nepal. My other motivation for being in Nepal is to see if there is any way I can sell a move here to the Current Wife (CW) with the kids in about a year and a half (There should be an updated profile on the home page of the blog). Anyway, I have had a great time with Gombu and his family and Kathmandu has changed quite a bit since I was last here eleven years ago. I have visited two schools so far: The Lincoln School is the American School in Kathmandu and it would not be out of place in Manhattan both on beauty of its grounds and price of tuition. Unfortunately, it's on the complete wrong side of town for us as we will most likely be living near Boudha. The other school I visited was the Himilayan Internationl Model School (HIMS) a short motor bike ride from Gombu's house. The children would be breaking new ground as the first westerners at the school but I was told both the families of the Pakistan and Bangledeshi Ambassadors have attended the school. Lovely people and it remains in the mix. I have an appointment at the French School on Tuesday and then will take a look at Gombu's daughter's school, Daffodil which would be within walking distance. The one thing slightly disturbing about the Daffodfil School is that, according to nepalnews.com, its sister school is being investigated for torturing a third level student--and I don't mean spanking or timeout, I mean torture torture (Maybe the beatings Kate has received at St. Maries of the Isle aren't all that bad). I hope to have something suitable to present to CW upon my return to Ireland. I am also going to do some research on the job front (In my "vast" array of talents, writing not being among them, lies a Cambridge University Certificate for Teaching English as a Second Language (CELTA) To stay here over 150 days you need a work or student visa. Gombu is also keen on opening a bar with me in the touristy Thamel district. So as much as it pains me I am going to be doing some research on that front as well.
Ah yes, the surreal incident: So we are sitting around Gombu's house this morning eating breakfast when three monks walk in (I promise this isn't the beginning of a bad Buddha joke) No one at the table (Gombu, Sumi, Sonam, or Parmila) except me gives them a second glance. They start proceeding up the stairs to the Llama room (Gombu's entire fourth floor) which is used for prayer. Mid-stair, they stop and one monk begins pointing at Gombu's refrigerator--beer maybe? I then notice they are pointing at a picture of my daughter prominently displayed on Gombu's refrigerator. Finally Gombu takes notice and translates for me: Five and half years ago these same monks were in Woodside, Queens at Gombu's brother's house doing the annual family blessing. My daughter Kate happened to be there as well because that was where Gombu lived and he would babysit Kate there. At that time CW and I had only recently been introduced to the Sherpa community so you can imagine our surprise when we went to pick up Kate and found our chubby little 6 month old surrounded by three chanting monks. So, the monks had remembered Kate from that visit and then recognized her picture on Gombu's refrigerator (Gombu said the monks don't really hang with that many little white babies so they remembered Kate quite well even though almost six years have passed) In spite of Kate being dragged around the world and hanging out in bars, I think this is a good omen for her. And the monks were at Gombu's house for the annual family blessing--it takes two entire days as they have to read through an entire Buddhist "Bible". I let you know if they cheat at Poker when we are drinking and playing cards tonight. More later and unfortunately will not be able to post photos until my return to Ireland. I need a drink...I mean I am going to do some "bar research". What did the monk say to the New York hot dog vendor? Make me one with everything!
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