Greetings all!!

Sorry not been in touch for a while, silly old me managed to get silly old sick again, whoops! Feeling better now though so thought should check in and say "hello!", especially as some people have been in touch seeing where I have disappeared to!

Have attempted writing this a fair few times, but the power keeps going out, so sadly you get the shorter/i'm-going-to-give-up-any-moment-soon version!!!

Since last spoke to you, I've been studying hard, not just with language lessons, but lessons on how to eat and go to the toilet in preparation for our village stay!! I've also had my first meeting with the VSO Governance team. The year ahead looks choc-a-bloc, with lots of things for me to get involved in, so hopefully I won't be twiddling my thumbs too much - something other volunteers have warned me about. The meeting was in a place called Nagakot, 2 hours drive up windy mountain roads, with a few near misses along the way, but the journey was worth it as is such a beautiful place. Took yet more piccies of Pahads (mountains), think i've got at least 200 already!

Last week we put on a mini party for our Deutch volunteer, in celebration of 'SinterKlaas' - The birth of Saint Nicholas. We took it in turns to exchange gifts and read our poems to each other, a bit of an early Christmas, though this time in bed by 10 and no mince pies!! 3 of us dressed in our newly brought Kurta Sawals - a traditional outfit for women, which is a long top coupled with huge MC Hammer trousers. We'd had them tailor made for us, and they were ready just in
time. As the fittings/measurements had to be done in the dark I was worried mine might not get over my head, but alas... fits perfectly. Mine is a bright pink top, with blue bottoms - if i don't stand out already, I will so even more now!

I will be staying with a Nepali family this week, so this is the last you will hear from me until Christmas time. Here's all the info i have about it..... I will be living with a family of 6 - Hajurbaa, aama, baa, kaka, bahini (5), and bhaai (12). It will be a mud house in the hills, with no furniture, an outhouse toilet, 2 cows and a goat, 5.30/6am starts everyday, and the possibility of learning some farming skills - Fun Fun Fun!

I will be thinking of you this week, especially being so far away during the build up to Christmas. Hope all your shopping goes well, and that you have a fantastic festive few weeks!

Much Love to all, H x