Adventure Vet

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Personal Hygiene

Hello lovely people! My mother has requested that I give an update on the situation surrounding my personal hygiene. In previous posts I have painted a picture that may make some of you hesitant to hug me upon my return. Although that picture was accurate, the situation has greatly improved.

My family knows this, but my mother suggested that I also write a quick blurb about it here. So, you should all know that I have moved from the guest house in Jawalakhel to a house in Jamsikhel. I am house-sitting with a co-worker from the UK, Heidi. She is a veterinary nurse and very sharp, and probably the sweetest, most thoughtful person I have ever known. Anyway, we are living in a large house here while the family is in Denmark (I think?). The lady of the house is Dutch and married to a Nepalese man and they went away to have their second son. We are also dog-sitting their sweet dog, Nanu. I call her "my dancing bear" because whenever I come home she greets me by jumping up on her hind feet and dancing. She's about 4 or 5 years old, but acts like a 6 month old lab puppy (CRAZY ENERGETIC). I'm giving way more details that you need, sorry.

Moral of the story is that I am showering every single day, sometimes even twice a day, if it has been a really hot sweaty day. I brush my teeth morning and night, and I even flossed today. I have clean clothes to wear, so life is good. Life smells a lot better too. :)

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Devi's Falls and Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave

I took a quick holiday to Pokhara this past week. It was wonderful to see more of the country and to get out of Kathmandu Valley. First stop was Devi's Falls, then I wandered across the street to Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave. Devi's Falls was roaring and wild due to the monsoon rains. The waterfall disappears underground and can be seen again in Gupteshwor Cave. I was unable to go very deep into the cave though because with the monsoon rains the majority of the cave was underwater. I did get to see the lovely staircase leading down though.

Where the waterfall disappears underground

I was struck by the beautiful combination of gray stone, green moss, red tika, and white flowers of these representations of incarnations of Lord Shiva

Wishing Well

My coins didn't land next to the statue...guess my wish won't come true

Some lovely flowers I happened upon while walking around the gardens at the entrance to the Falls. I love me some macro photography. (Conrad - I know you do too, so enjoy!)

The entrance to the cave is covered in incredible stone carvings. I felt like I had been transported to another place and time.

This statue just made me laugh

I felt like this one was looking right at me

Entrance to the cave...slightly less ornate, it felt more like entering a dungeon.

Tika-covered statue of Ganesh inside the cave

This statue was inside a tunnel further inside the cave. It gave me a minor heart attack when I walked around the corner and saw this large orange cow. MOOOOO!!!!

Walking down further into the cave was a slippery adventure. Water was dripping from the ceiling and formed stalagmites

Lingam - a symbol of Lord Shiva

Ganesh

Snake statue outside of the cave

Before you ask, no, I have no idea what any of this means

Looking down to the cave entrance

Selfie at the falls

Saturday, July 9, 2016

Boudha

After enjoying lunch at Sajana's, she took me to Boudha. It was only a 10 minute walk from her house. Boudha is a Buddhist stupa and temple, with an active Buddhist monk community nearby. I have been told by many people that coming to Boudha in the evening is ideal because the monks of chanting, singing, and worshiping. Unfortunately, I went at about 3pm. There were only a couple monks and it was SO HOT! Next time I will definitely go in the evening. The temple is under reconstruction following the earthquake, but there is still plenty to see and lots of shopping to be done.