Two hours of electricity

Suddenly the PBI house in Sanepa is quite. The elctricity that has been off the whole day is now on for two full hours so all volunteers are trying to make the most out of it. Skype:ing in their rooms, watching dvd's, checking e-mails before the house goes quiet and soon dark again.

The house in Kathmandu is nice and big. Five volunteers, Kipa the dog and Iggy the puppy live here full time. The chef that that comes during the working days is not here on a sunday, nor are the other staff. The big garden is divided into a front section(where the garderner tries planting big flowers in different sized pots, my favourites are the giant big open red flowers that seem to reach out to you somehow in the bigness and colorfullness)and the back yard where we usually hang out. Here the dogs have created a sanctuary and the gardener also given up and left is to be "dogacized", probably not understanding the crazy westerners that has not only taken in two puppies from the street but actually seem to like having them around. Paying the price of not having a back yard that is growing all that much. Kind of reminds me of some friends prioriticing having their kids roam in the garden with al their toys instead of grooming the grass and admiring the flowers. Oh well, Kipa and Iggy are by now so intergated in th PBI family that the love of gardening just has to go.

It is cozy though, dos and all. And coming out of the kitchen, being attacked by the dogs expressing their love is nice. Nice big table and chairs, often friendy company, the sandbox with the improvised big tin canster to make fires on cold and dark nights. A good place to work, think, read, socialize. The tree with the yet unidentified yellow citruslooking fruits hanging over the table also makes Sweden and -29 degress below seem far away.

The house itself has four floors, and a number or balconies in different sizes. Good to do yoga on. Or just sit and observe what the neighbours are doing. This area is for the wealthier segment of Kathmandu. Embassies, NGO's, a variety of UN offices and local people all live together in these big houses surrounded by thick and high walls. Our house also has a hut for the watchman just inside the high gate, It is not used now, but our daily newspaper drop in there very day. Like a giant mailbox you have to enter.

Having slept in the puja room, a small room attached outside on a balcony separated from the rest of the house, I feel refreshed and ready to go back to my pariwaar Nepali (Newari family)for another week of studies. Only two weeks to go now before signing the contract an finally becoming a volunteer Field Officer for PBI for real.