Eating everywhere but my own kitchen

end of week 1!!

Today officially makes one week since I left Seattle! Technically I haven’t been in Nepal for a week yet but I’m going to count it. Since my last post I have become friends with the neighbors! As I was writing my last post, they invited me up for dinner which was so nice and I was very grateful because even though I went to the store I can’t say I really bought anything of substance. I wish I could tell you everything that they made but to be honest I’m not sure. We definitely had dahl and rice and then a medley of other veggies and probably some tofu which I tried to slyly avoid eating. It was definitely really awkward at first because I honestly have no idea what to talk to people about half the time, especially before I can really gauge how much English everyone speaks, but once the two kids warmed up to me, I realized they spoke really good English. After dinner we did some painting and as always I showed off my super amazing painting skills. After I went up for dinner, I’ve started hanging out with them pretty consistently. For example, I went with them tonight to Janaki Temple since to celebrate Shivaratri. Most people had the day off to celebrate and all day the streets were full of people dressed up going to temple. I find myself feeling so jealous that they are all so connected by such a beautiful culture. I was so grateful that they brought me along so I could be part of it even if from the outside. I also went with them to their relatives house where they also fed me a bunch of stuff and had a SUPER cute baby. Even though I just sit there as they all talk and I can’t understand, there’s so much to take in without even being part of the conversation. I think sometimes they worry that I’m bored, but as everyone knows, I am the ultimate people watcher and this is the best way to do it because no one expects me to add to the conversation.

I also stuck to my goal in my last post and have been going with Gamala to have lunch at her house. Everyone has been asking me what I’ve cooked since I’ve arrived but to be honest I haven’t needed to because they are constantly inviting me to eat, bringing food for me to try, etc. Although it feels so against my nature to accept so much from everyone, I am so thankful for the company and to experience Nepali cooking. Even though I always ask what everything is, I have no idea how to spell any of it so I can never write down what I’m trying. Everything tastes fantastic though and hopefully I can learn something new to cook for when I come back.

Tomorrow I am going to ask if they neighbors will start to teach me some Nepali so that I can talk to more people and actually initiate interactions. The main thing keeping me from learning it on my own is that people speak a mixture of Maithili, Hindi, and Nepali and I’m not sure if what I look up will actually translate. Even if I just learn a few words I think it will open the door for so many more interactions. I know most people probably speak some English, but I hate initiating things in English, so at least if I try and fail miserably they can decide whether to save me from myself or not. Reading the language is a whole other can of worms that I unfortunately don’t think I will get to. The best though is seeing random English words amongst the Nepalese script. I’ll have to make a collection of my favorite signs over the month. It never ceases to amaze me how universal English is. I always consider pretending like English also isn’t my first language so that I can pretend I’m not American. It’s hard to tell if people generally like or dislike America. I always assume people don’t like it, but it could also be me projecting. I would love for people to come visit me in America because I definitely think it would make me see things differently. Before I leave I’m probably going to tell anyone and everyone that if they ever do wish to come, they can stay with me. Not only would I love to repay the hospitality, but I would love to witness people experiencing America for the first time.

My goal for next week is to start taking more photos because there’s just really no way for me to describe what it’s like here. I have my first day off tomorrow so perhaps I’ll make it my mission to get a bunch of photos of everything so I only have to do it once.

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