Back to school!

This week I have been back at school and although i'm picking things up 'bistaarai, bistaarai' (slowly, slowly) I have been enjoying having something to sink my teeth into! The school is a fifteen minute walk through the back streets, passing through courtyards, tiny shops and places of worship. Midway through the walk is an miniature square where people can go to worship the Goddess of Education and Knowledge..... im hoping that her powers transfer onto me as I walk by! In order to get to the school we have to cross a busy main road, where 3 roads join and about 6 'lanes' (muddles) of traffic all compete for space - bikes, bikes carrying baskets/chickens/2 men and a mattress, motorbikes,cars, rickshaws, cows and people! Upon successfully reaching the other side we are met with rows and rows of fruit and vegetable sellers, who must sit at the same roadside spots day in day out, all competing for custom. I can't wait to have my own accomodation so that i can start experimenting with dishes using the yummy and rather interesting looking veg!

At the School of Cultural Learning, we are greeted by Udaya, a man who has been teaching english for the past 26 years, and the 4 others teachers who will be helping us. The welcome session is held in a very stark and small room, where we are asked to take our shoes off as a sign of respect, and sit on mats covering the floor. Here we learn a bit more about Do's and Don't in Nepali society.

Here's a taster for you all:

Don'ts....Do not step over people and be careful not to bump into others or their things, if you do you must touch your head with your right hand and then touch their arm, or the object you have trodden on. Never touch someome's head, to touch someones head is one of the greatest signs of disrespect for that is the most sacred part of someone's body. Do not point your toes at people when sitting down, always pass things to people using your right hand whilst holding the underside of your arm with your left hand. Move clockwise around temples, never shout, if you invite people to dinner or organise an outing it is you who must pay, never offer your money if you are the guest.

Do's.... Do ask personal questions, the more personal the better. Do expect to be asked them, and answer as many as possible especially if it your boss who is asking. Burping after dinner is a very good sign, as is licking your fingers! Do laugh with friends, but only in private. Show affection with people of the same sex, but never the opposite.

phew, breathe!

So much to remember, but as Udaya says...try not to worry too much, people will understand if you make a mistake, just don't make the same mistake again!

The group is divided into 4 groups and we are all assigned a teacher. My teacher is called Krisna, she is very good humoured and patient - 2 qualities essential to teach and to learn Nepali. The first few days of lessons go well, covering basic greetings, numbers, and talking about family, but as soon as we get onto the really useful things (like how not to get ripped off!) things start to get complicated, all question words start to sound the same - ke? kahaa? kasko? kati? katiwataa? katijanaa? and the words 'yo/ko/ho' seem to be added left right and centre. I think i could do with a few days just to recap!

We have most of this weekend free, and now i'm feeling better i intend to be a star pupil and nip my confusion in the bud! Wish me luck!

I will be off to Banepa tomorrow to continue language classes, and make the most of what I hope is a quieter and cleaner area.

I hope that everyone is happy and well back home,

Thinking of you, Helen x