It is with great pleasure that I can officially say the Global Routes 2016 Nepal program is off and rolling. Nepal has personally had a huge impact on my own life and many of my own travels have began, and ended, and began again in this landlocked nation, where tectonic plates and two of the world’s most fascinating religions harmoniously collide.
In 2015, in the aftermath of the Nepal earthquake we were compelled to cancel this program. Former Global Routes students from the past two decades worked together to raise critical funds to help the rebuilding process in many of the communities we’ve worked in over the past decades.
And as of 7/2/16 the 10 students and two leaders of the Nepal 2016 program were on the ground and bringing their unique set of skills and spirit to the communities they’ll be working within Nepal.
In Nepal one of the most common sayings is ‘Ke Garnay’ which means ‘What to do?’ It’s a common expression in Nepal, used when the bus is 5 hours late, or the vegetable market is randomly closed, or the monsoon season is many weeks late. One of the hardest parts of travelling outside of the Western world is being ok with uncertainty, ‘rubber time’, and constantly shifting plans and perspectives.
The Nepal 2016 program started off with a big bang of ‘Ke Garnay.’ As our leader Mary headed to the airport with two students to meet the rest of the group for the group flight at JFK airport, she checked her phone to confirm that the first leg of their travels, JFK to Abu Dhabi on Etihad airlines was confirmed as an on-time departure. And confirmed it was…until 15 minutes later as she walked up to the ticketing counter to learn the flight was delayed by 8 hours!!
The Group coming together in the airport
Meanwhile in Nepal…
When I was a trip leader for Global Routes my director once said at orientation as we were planning for our programs that, “When your first problem happens and all the kids look at you, that’s when your trip begins…”
Minutes later parents were dropping their students off 11 hours before the newly scheduled departure time. Fortunately, our Nepal 2016 parents are supportive and understanding, knowing that a seasoned Global Routes leader like Mary knows how to manage these types of situations, and with some tearful goodbyes, the parents were off and the group was ready to…wait. And wait. And get to know eachother, and go on airport adventures.
Here at the office we were in high gear, contacting the airline, travel agent, getting in touch with Matt, Mary’s co-leader already on the ground in Nepal to meet three international students coming from China, Turkey, and Israel.
Fast forward through an overnight stay in an Abu Dhabi hotel, students nabbing an extra passport stamp in the process, and a dazed arrival in the bustling Kathmandu airport which in many ways resembles a wood cabin or ski lodge. It’s old school and wonderful. At this point, after the group passes through immigration armed with their 90 day Nepal visas, they learn that they’ll be travelling light over the next 72 hours while their bags have an extended vacation i in the United Arab Emirates…And the group is finally together at their hotel in the beautiful heritage city of Bhaktapur!
The blurry photo reflects the state of mind of these time travelling students, together for the first time on what will be the experience of a lifetime.
After a much-needed morning of sleeping in and adjusting to 9 hours and 45 mins in the future, the students joined leaders Matt, Mary, and Nepali guide Ratna on cultural adventures throughout Bhaktapur.
Notice students continuing to love their airplane outfits 🙂
Fearless Leaders, Matt, Mary, Ratna and a GR photobomber
The first two days in Bhaktapur included several adventures to discover ancient Newari architecture and the opportunity to practice their Nepal by going on an MMT, an interactive scavenger hunt. Students broke down cultural barriers meeting locals, learning about the governmental system, Nepali independence day, current events, and each group of 3 students took time interviewing locals.
Then the group got down to business, cross-cultural, reciprocal education by sharing an American pastime with local Nepali kids. See Grace showing off a wicked forehand toss below:
Notice the bounty from a student shopping spree: elephant pants
Orientation continued with countless icebreakers, activities to dive deeper like goals and fears and a Global Routes favorite activity, ‘Majoria/Minoria’ to dive deep into cross-cultural realities and prepare for immersion into the Nepali communities.
As the baggage slowly rolled in, day by day, the group has now travelled across Nepal to Pokhara, a gorgeous lakeside village in the heart of the Himalaya. Its from this gateway village that they’ll embark on a ten-day trek across the Annapurna Sanctuary beginning on Thursday 7/7!!
Much, much more coming your way in the coming days as the group treks through the heart of the Himalayas, passing through Tibetan Buddhist villages and prayer wheels, chanting ‘Om Mani Padme Hum’ as the ascend, and ascend, and ascend, and ascend through ancient walking paths up to Annapurna Base Camp!
1st batch of Student notes direct from our fearless leaders:
Merak: During Goals and Fears he was really open with the group about his goals in life and helped the group have a really meaningful and deep group session. He brings a ton of energy and enthusiasm to all the group games which is a huge boost, especially when everyone is working through jetlag!Â
Cole: He really took a leadership role during the MMT in Bhaktapur. Although he was nervous to interview Nepalis he did a great job taking the initiative to really get to know the community members. Really engaging with Nepali culture.
Taya: Incredibly mature traveller and brings a strong foundational force to the group. Taya is very open with her opinions and offers excellent feedback to her peers and leaders. She’s a natural stepping up into leadership role and LOVED playing frisbee with kids in Bhaktapur.
Wilder: Real initiative-taker. Was the first person in his group to go out and connect with the community members during the MMT. He’s been one of the most vocal and engaged students on the program and really pushes the group to go deeper during meaningful activities and discussions.
Grace: Learning quite a lot of independence during the LONG trip and has become a strong, confident, eloquent leader in the group. Loved playing frisbee with the kids in the community. She started the frisbee game and kids really loved playing!! Kids couldn’t believe how good she was (see the wicket forehand in the pic above) and Nepali kids started calling her ‘Captain.’ Will the nickname stick?!
Gabe: He has been an amazing calming influence on the group, especially throughout the uncertainty of travel. He’s been really helpful to help mellow out the group especially regarding missing bags and has helped the group develop their own sense of ‘Ke Garnay’. Gabe has been a really strong foundation developing the group dynamic and its clear he really puts the needs of the group first, a huge asset during a group experience!Â
Jill: Her Nepali nickname is Bakra which means goat. She loves goats and her spirit animal is goat and we can’t wait to see her goat spirit lead the group throughout the trek! The goat from the top of the temple in Bhaktapur came down to stay during frisbee. The whole community was shocked! Jill is engaged and positive. While many members of the group were reasonably frustrated about lost luggage Jill exclaimed that she was enjoying ‘living simply.’
Josh: Josh came to Nepal well-prepared with deep knowledge about the country and culture. He is a game machine and played a huge role during orientation leading group games and activities. He’s been a courageous member in group meetings and games and brought down the house playing drums along with Jill in a small music shop in the Bhaktapur community.Â
Edward: Edward is incredibly mature, independent, considerate, and super respectful. He’s been very engaging with the Nepali culture. He’s also taking beautiful photos and is looking forward to telling the story of the program through his compelling photography.
Defne:Â Defne is up for anything and has been a beacon of positivity for the group. Her beaming smile is contagious and she is deeply committed to play an important role building group dynamics. She also brings a unique cross-cultural perspective to group activities and conversations and the group has been learning so much from her!
To close out, we are so thrilled to have this incredible representing Global Routes on this exciting return to Nepal in 2016.
Parents, remember that your student will be calling home in the late morning (10am-noon EST) on Wednesday 7/6 so keep your eyes peeled for an impossibly long number on your caller ID!
Much, much, much more to come from Nepal soon!
Until next time…Ferry Ba Tan La (see ya later!)
Peace, Love, and Chow,
Adam Aronovitz
Director, Global Routes
a hint of what’s to come on the Annapurna Trek from a photo I took in 2009
