Written by Sthesha, Olivia, and Reese
The Journey Begins
Our adventure kicked off with an epic 50-hour transit, marking the most grueling flight experience of our lives. Even Topher and Kayla, our seasoned travelers, agreed! The journey included a 19-hour flight from JFK to Changi Singapore and a 5-hour flight to Kathmandu. We were pleasantly surprised by Singapore’s airport, renowned as the world’s best. It featured showers, sleep pods, gardens, and a variety of food options, from Popeyes to local Singaporean cuisine.
Warm Welcome in Kathmandu
Upon arriving in Kathmandu, we were warmly welcomed by our guides and gifted traditional Khata scarves. A 50-minute bus ride took us to the Sri Aurobindo ashram, where we stayed in a beautiful hotel with breathtaking views. The ashram, a self-sustaining eco-community, includes an orphanage with the sweetest children. We’ve bonded with them over games like cricket and badminton, and by participating in their daily chores, known as Sewa.
Immersing in the Community
Our days have been filled with meaningful activities. Reese and Olivia learned to milk cows, while Sthesha helped with gardening. The ashram grows its own food and bakes its own bread, and everyone contributes to its sustainability. We also had the unique opportunity to attend a traditional Nepali dance class. After our trek in 3 days, we will return to the ashram to perform our dance in traditional Nepali clothes in front of all the children. We will even get to dance with the little ones.
Highlights of the Week
🏏 Playing games together has helped us bond and get to know each other better.
👦 Playing with the little ones and meeting the people. Everyone has been so welcoming and kind to us.
⛰️ The breathtaking scenery. It’s a blessing to wake up to the lush mountains and see the lively city from
above.
Overcoming Challenges
Adjusting to the jet lag and time change has been tough, but we’re finding our rhythm. Olivia misses her baby brother, and both Stesha and Reese are feeling the absence of their families. Many of us miss our pets, and Reese is particularly eager to encounter a chow chow during our stay.
Surprising Discoveries
The streets of Nepal are filled with friendly stray dogs. There’s an adorable puppy named Lucky living in the Ashram. Lucky was initially hesitant to come up to us but she eventually warmed up.
Looking Ahead
We are very excited to go to Boudha tomorrow for our Magical Mystery Tour! We will explore the cultural heritage site and dig deeper into Nepali Culture.
Stay tuned for more updates from our incredible journey in Nepal!
