We've arrived!

After a very long journey, we're finally here. Spent our first night in the volunteer house last night and slept well. Woke up to our first helping of dhal bhat for breakfast - yum. Then we had the typical Nepalese experience of stench - drains being unblocked - lovely. There are two roof terraces here, though, with great views out across the city and then the hills so we escaped up there for some fresh air.

We haven't met the kids yet -think we're going to go over after they get in from school. There are 5 other volunteers staying here, three from the US, one from the UK and an Australian; all very nice and friendly. People come and go to different placements so there will be some changes. At the moment we're still thinking we'll go and stay in the house with two volunteer rooms so that we're with the kids more, but we've got the option to do either.

We have taken some photos of the view from the roof here (construction everywhere - brilliant, shoogly bamboo scaffolding and people wandering round roofs with no safety equipment of any description), but I forgot to bring the cable that links the camera to the computer - I knew there would be something that would be left behind!! Will try to get another one here as soon as we can and get some photos on.

Alison is doing well - she counted 2 cows, 13 dogs. 3 monkeys and 36 Coca Cola signs between the airport and here last night. We've decided to play 'spot the Buddhist monk' to see who can collect the most sightings - I'm ahead, but only because there was one at Heathrow airport! The taxi journey was mad from the airport - crammed in a tiny Suzuki literally squeezing between vans, cars and motorbikes - the driver made me laugh, though, because he insisted on beeping his horn at every larger oncoming vehicle as if he had more right to be on the road than they did! Alison spotted some ingenious truck repairs made from half a plastic bottle and some sticky tape, and she reckoned the driving would never be allowed in Inverness. She also spotted an ancient Land Rover in the yard of the house across the road - her dad would love it.

Anyway, we are off back to our roof in the sunshine - quote from earlier 'it's too hot out here' hee hee hee!!!

Bye for now!

Ann & Alison
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