Photos

Carlyn and I after we'd been tika'd (I don't understand why this is underlined and can't find a way to stop it!!)


The chariot I helped to carry in the New Year procession


Urmila (left) writing in Alison's journal, with Rajina watching


Ramilla laughing - Alison had to tickle her to get her to laugh - the minute you get a camera out the girls go into serious posing mode, it's really funny


Jeny Rai (8), Alison, Ramilla (9) and Anu (10) - Alison is a giant in Nepal!


The view from the road down to Basundara, our main shopping area


On the way to Basundara


Shops at the side of the Basundara road. One is empty - new premises for Antara Consulting perhaps?!


The Garden of Dreams (bit of a contrast to the outside world, eh?!)


This is probably our last post from Nepal. It's 10am here and we're about to go and spend our final day with the kids who fortunately have a day off school today. I predict tears by this afternoon!

Everything seems to be OK with travel plans - seats are confirmed on the Air India flight and accommodation and travel is organised in the UK. Now we need to keep everything crossed to ensure there's no unexpected strike (or bundha) tomorrow. The Maoists are gearing up for another conflict here during May and June apparently and are planning a national strike on Saturday 1st May, which is International Labour Day. They've called a few strikes over the last months and everything has to stop - no public transport, no shops open, and there has even been trouble if private cars are seen on the road - they have been known to set fire to cars and motorbikes in the past. There's a story here of someone having had to walk to the airport (2.5 hours!) to catch a flight....not the sort of obstacle we need! The political situation is very messy here, and although the Maoists are now part of the government they are protesting that the constitution hasn't been written yet (the deadline is 28th May but it looks as if there's no hope of that being met) and their mission now is to get the government out and rule themselves. I really hope that their threats are empty and that Nepal gets the chance to settle down peacefully and get its government together properly because as always it's the man in the street who suffers most in these situations. Next year is Year of Tourism in Nepal and it would be nice to think that it could go ahead without any bother.

We'll be sad to leave here, but we're looking forward to being home (although looking forward less to work and school!). I realised recently that I haven't had to cook anything for 8 weeks - we've been spoilt by Santoshi our brilliant cook (she's making paratha tonight for us because it's our favourite), she's lovely.

Will probably do a final post once we're back home and can sort through our photos.

See everyone soon!

Ann & Alison
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