September 12, 2009
My first day in Kathmandu was filled with firsts. When I got to the airport, I couldn’t find pastor Krishna’s brother, and as a very white, very blond female, that made me the immediate target of every cab driver around! However, Pastor Krishna forewarned me of this, so I had already practiced my “I’m sorry, I don’t speak Nepali and someone is coming for me. I will not need your help.” But finally I let one of them talk me into calling Krishna, and he gave me his brother’s cell number, so I could call him and find him. We were actually just across the way from each other, go figure!

We loaded into Pastor Krishna’s car, and that began of the next 45 minutes of sure death. Now, I’ve been to Africa, but their driving is like a chauffeur compared to this! There are marked lines (occasionally), and they mean nothing. They’re more for the aesthetic relief of foreigners pretending they know what to do in Kathmandu. People drive as if there’s no tomorrow (maybe they know something I don’t?!) and drive on whatever side of the road will get them there the fastest; basically, there’s never a solid yellow line, it’s all dotted! And there are motorcycles everywhere. With huge TVs tied on the back or people stacked on 4 or 5 deep. Pretty awesome, right?! There are 2 motorcycles here at the house, but I don’t know who drives them. Amazingly, I was never that concerned. We played chicken probably 40 times on the drive, and the closer we got, the more we and our opponent would honk, until a the literal last second one would swerve in front of another car to “avoid” collision! What an exciting way to start :)

Then, when we got to Pastor Krishna’s house, there were people everywhere for his son Benjamin’s 12th birthday party. Basically, the whole church came over. Like, 70 people. Can you say chaos? And they had butchered a goat in the yard just before I got there (so sad I missed that!)! So, we had this huge party with a short sermon and lots of singing and cake and Rice with 3 types of curry (which I will learn to like!) and plenty of goat. Well, maybe not plenty for everyone, but for me it was definitely enough :). Actually, I liked the goat. I think.

The kids were so fun. They’re trying so hard to teach me Nepali, and they will, in time! One of the boys told me his name, but where there are over 20 kids you’re meeting, you quickly forget names. So, I asked him again, and with a glint in his eye, he replied, “Anneliese.” So I said, “No, your name!” And he goes, “Anneliese!” He actually pronounces it great! So I started laughing and told him my name is Billy Bob. So, now, he calls me that and I call him “Anneliese.” His real name is Rajkumar. But Anneliese works for now ;).

It was a great first day! And I haven’t gotten sick yet. I’ve been very proactive taking medicine for stomache problems before they develop, and hopefully I’ll get used to the food soon! Hope all’s well there! Love you all!!!