Worlds Collide.

2004                                             2014

So I’ve finally had my first visitor!!! My friend Gabe and I have been friends since we were 9. We met at camp and more or less grew up together.  I can’t remember a time before we were friends and having the opportunity to share my life here with him was really special.

We met in Kathmandu where we began the journey east to the district of Ramachamp. Having done the trip several times at this point I knew what to expect, so when the bus made it’s descent into the river to cross to the other side I had no reaction. However when I looked to my right I could see Gabes face and knew exactly what he was thinking, “we are about to die”. I knew this because it was what I was thinking when I did it for the first time. When we finally arrived in the village I observed Gabe’s amazement of where I live and my new life here. 

On the first day of our return I had set up a youth group meeting. So Gabe joined me as I went to the Nelpali house to plan the activity with my partner, Mahendra. During this time Gabe enjoyed a game of Chess with Santos, another volunteer, while I attempted to motivate Mahendra to do our work.As usual we were there for 2-3 hours to only accomplish 1 hour of work. Following this meeting I wanted to take Gabe to this shop at the top of the hill to get Chow Mein. It is very delicious and we didn’t feel like making lunch. When we arrived in the town of Jompsa, which is 25 minute walk uphill from my village, starving and ready to eat we were surprised by the lack of people. As we walked up to the restaurant it was clear that it was close. When the shop owner came over she had clearly just come from the shower and informed us that she was on her way to a wedding and therefore there would be no food today. It was funny to think about this situation happening in America; that a restaurant would be closed in the middle of the week when there is no holiday but instead the owner just decided to close up shop because he/she would rather go to a wedding. However here all you can say is “what can you do?” in Nepali the phrase is “Ke Garne?” I have learned to use this phrase frequently because here there’s no other option. If I were to get frustrated by every situation that didn’t go as I had planned it I that is the only emotion I would ever feel.

            After Gabe and I worked our plan B for Lunch it was time to meet the kids for our activity. This was the third meeting we have had with youth and each week more children come. The first time we had attempted to gather the youth only 17 kids came, so when 35 arrived to this meeting it was really exciting! At this point in forming the group we have been playing different games with them in order to get them to be excited about the youth group and tell their friends, from here we will then divide them into smaller groups that will then meet each week to a variety of things beyond playing games. However this week we were still in the game phase and happened to plan a game that I learned at camp with Gabe. The game is called “Indian Chief” or rather “Nepali Chief” for all intense and purposes.  It was really wonderful having Gabe participate and watch him interact with all the youth. Over all it was an awesome activity and everyone really enjoyed themselves.

            On Gabes Second Day I brought him up to the other village where the other volunteers live, which is an hour walk away.  I wanted to give him an opportunity to meet some of the other people in my group and also see how different the villages are. We spent the day sitting outside, playing the guitar, and enjoying the beautiful day.

            On Gabe’s final day here I went with him back down to the bottom of the mountain to see him off. Distracted by conversation I wasn’t playing attention to the scenery however for Gabe it was the opposite. Not listening to what I was saying he was distracted by the scenery.  When all of a sudden Gabe said “Cara, don’t get stuck in a routine here that you forget to look around and remember where you are. You will be home before you know it and never have an experience like this again so don’t forget to appreciate it.” These were truly amazing words that I will keep with me for the rest of my time here.  It was very special to have the opportunity to see my life through his eyes and be given the opportunity to reevaluate my time here.  I’ve been living in the village for 2 months now and it is easy to fall into a routine and to forget that only so many people will experience what I am this year.  Having Gabe here was a great way to remind me to live each day as it comes, live in the moment, and not take this experience for granted.

GABE I LOVE YOU! AND THANKS AGAIN FOR COMING TO VISIT!