1 May: Ghara, Nepal

1 May

Today I got up at 11am, very late but I tried to stay in bed as long as I could. I was occasionally waking through the night and noticed my throat was sore. I cannot believe this cold. I am doing my best to rest but it is stubbornly keeping me coughing and slows me down. My energy is very low.

I wasn’t sure if I could clown today. My heart wants to clown for Kumari as she indicated she wants to be a clown. Kailash had wanted me to do an energiser as a clown around 2.45pm. But it is not going to happen as I am sick and it is raining. I think the rain has saved me, as I can’t clown in this weather. I have a sore throat, it seems today my cold is worse. Amazing. It has been a challenge.

I learned that Gordon, Peter and Pat are walking down from Paudwar and I felt very sorry for them as the heavy rain has come with lightening. The steps will be slippery for Pat and I am a bit worried of her falling. Peter is a shuffler as a walker, small careful steps so hopefully he is okay. Gordon is sure-footed so I think he will be fine. I slipped a few times coming down, my shoes are not good enough. So here’s hoping their wet-weather gear is good and they get down all right. They should be here in another 45 minutes. They will go slower in the rain.

I have sat here doing my blog and catching up, so I am fortunate to not be teaching today. I may teach tomorrow, so we will see. I may also clown, so will see the lay of the land.

Peter, Pat and Gordon came back and they were drenched but with happy faces. Gordon came in first and reported that they had the most amazing ceremony. I can watch it later on his camera. They felt so loved and appreciated and Gordon has fallen in love with Nepal. He is definitely coming back next year and found the people so wonderful. He told me he invented some new games and they managed to entertain a full school, which is really a feat. Yet I knew they could do it, they are amazing people and full of love themselves, angels no less. Peter’s face looked happy and I was so glad to see them all. I gave them a big hug. They told me that the people brought them breakfast and lunch and the occasional dinner throughout the week they were there. I thought of how kind they are. These are poor people but they see you as friends and guests and they look after you. That is their real wealth. In our culture they wouldn’t do that unless they thought you were poor, interesting juxtaposition.

They are now getting out of wet clothes and will come down for dinner.

We met for dinner and some had potatoes, soup, rice pudding etc. Our host will cook up individual meals on a little wood fire. She is amazing. Kailash and Krishna and the team had to work late on the teaching materials. I found out later they finished at 11pm. I wish I could have helped them but there is not much I can do. I am also unwell so have to take it easy.

Tomorrow is our last day.