Teaching assistant
Trip Start
Aug 17, 2007
1
22
27
Trip End
Apr 2008
Pokhara,
Nepal
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Yesterday was my first full school day, and I'm already into a good
routine. I get up at 5.30 (Nepalis get up very early) and we all have
tea and biscuits at 6.00.
I help with the Level 5 English class until 8.30, at which time we have
our 'lunch'. Nepalis tend to have two main meals in the day, with tea
breaks in between.
After that my time is my own, to go for a run or study some Nepali,
until 11.00 when I go to help at the English medium main school,
conversing with the students there.
Yesterday school finished early as one of the teachers, Mina, was
retiring, and the kids had put on a show of traditonal dance and music.
They had clearly put in a lot of effort, and the show was great. The
teachers are all extremely nice and clearly are dedicated to their
work. The students themselves are hard-working and enthusiastic about
there studies, so it's a great place to be.
In the evening, I help the Level 10 students in the blind school with
their homework - they will soon be sitting their final exams. We have
our evening meal at 8.00pm, after which I try and learn a bit of Nepali
from the students - last night they taught me some traditional folk
songs, and asked me loads of questions about life in the UK,
particularly our festivals. Next month is the Hindu festival of Holi, which
celebrates colour and consists of chucking brightly colours powder
paints all over the shop - it should be quite something to see!
This morning, Lok showed me a great running route through old Pokhara,
which involves a massive flight of steps to a hill-top Hindu temple,
then another lot to a Buddhist moastery - very picturesque but more
over very tough!
I am hoping to do a trek the week after next to Annapurna base camp, so
this weekend will see about organising that. Nepal really is a great
country!
All best,
Tom
