I have now been in Nepal for one month.  So far it has been an unforgettable experience and I look forward to the months ahead.  when we first arrived at the site of our Pre Service training it was a bizarre feeling.  From the moment I was face to face with my host mother I started feeling like I was living in a dream.  I physically knew what to expect as far as stye type of living situation I would have, the food I would eat, and the schedule I would have.  However, actually living in that place, eating that food, and living that schedule still feels unnatural and somewhat strange.  The best part about it though is that I am never bored.  There is always something I could be studying, someone I could be talking to, or some project I could be working on.

Our schedule has been busy since we arrived at the PCT site thee weeks ago.  For 6 days a week our daily schedule looks like this:

6am:  wake up and get dressed
615am:  Have morning tea and snack with my family (snack is usually homemade flatbread, or cookies)
7am:  Morning language class with three other Peace Corps trainees and the teacher
9am:  Morning daal bhaat (lentils and rice) with veggies.  This is prepared by my family.
1045am:  Afternoon class in small group
1:45pm:  Afternoon technical training.  So far we have gotten training in how to build a nursery bed, how to compost, make super flour, and preserve food.  Other topics are about safety and security, culture, behavior change, etc.
5pm:  Arrive home and socialize with my family.  Help with chores and cooking dinner.
7pm:  Evening meal of daal bhaat with family
8pm  Go to bed

On our days off I have been spending time with my family.  We often go to their other house to take bucket baths and wash clothes.  Sometimes we go into town to buy soda, or attend festivals.

Last week was one of Nepal's biggest Hindu festivals.  It's called Dashain and it lasts 10 days.  The last three days are the most exciting and I had a wonderful time celebrating with my family.  The festival celebrates the goodess Durga in her triumph over the evil demon god Mahisasur.  It occurs every year after the full moon near the end of September.

Last Friday I received my first Tikka from my host family.  Tikka is the red coloring applied to the forehead.  It is an offering that symbolizes victory and is believed to protect the person from evil.  It also protects humans, cars, and animals on journeys and is put on cars, cows, and bicycles.  During holidays like Dashain it is a mixture of red powder, yogurt, rice and sugar.  Some families give Tikka on a regular basis and then it's usually just the red or yellow powder.  After receiving the Tikka, they placed some grass behind my ear.  The grass is called Zumara and is planted on the first day of the festival.  Next, a small gift of money is given, followed by a snack like a piece of coconut or a banana.

After receiving Tikka from my family I traveled to my mother's sister's house for more Tikka and snacks.  My house is on the side of a hill looking grown into a valley.  The town is located at the bottom of the valley.  During the hike to my aunt's house, we walked up the hill behind my house and could see over the top.  There is a school at the top of the hill with a view that goes on and on in all directions.

The next day more of my extended family arrived at our house.  About 20 of my host family's extended family came to receive Tikka and celebrate the day with us.  At first, I was a little intimidated by the number of people and did not feel very social.  However, after spending some time with them and feeling their warmth, love and acceptance: I began to hatch from my shell.  I had a great time with them and it was convenient that some of them could speak English.  One of my cousins was able to speak really well and she had recently graduated from college with a degree in English an Sociology.  We talked about what life was like in the states as well as Nepal and became fast friends.  The day ended with a dance party involving my led light up rainbow colored hula hoop. Even my dad joined in and spun the hoop on his hand.  It was great fun and I was proud to teach them how to say the word "hula hoop".  It isn't often that I can dazzle people with my abilities and often I am treated as a small child, so whenever I can impress them with my skills it makes me happy.

It's is Thursday now and life has returned to normal.  The kids are back to school and the streets are a little quieter.  I now look back on my first mont with joy.  If the next 26 months are as great as this one, I think I'm going to be a pretty happy kid!