Random bits and bobs Monday 29th March

Been living with my family for about 6 days now and I really do feel at home. My room is MY ROOM, if you get me, everything has it's place. Even got a little spider watching over me every night.

My family consists of mum, dad, a brother who is my age and is hardly around, and 2 sisters Sumi (20) and Sushilla (18). It feels so weird to live in a female dominated household and I have to say, I enjoy it! Proper nice to have a hug in the morning from your mum just before work, or doing girly stuff like facials and manicures (Sumi is studying to be a beautician).

Last night was volunteer Chucks's birthday and his family invited us all over. Nepali birthday ceremony is interesting, the dude had to sit on some throne and exchange the first slices of cake with his buwa (father) and to seal the deal he was encourages to down a concoction later referred to as tasting like "gone off fish milk". Bleugh! Bless the family though, proper got a Dj in, who sadly enough only played house music...the remix of R'n'B kind. Killer!
Seeing the different family dynamics, appearance and home put my family into perspective. My family are probably half the size of them and a lot less wealthier. I had a stone in my throat just from knowing how radically poverty levels could differ in the space of a 5 minute walk. My fam may not have much but they are almost 80% self sufficient (my bro and dad are farmers and they have more land saved for crops than their house), they also seem to catch jokes and enjoy what they do. Never a grumble or moan in sight. I know they say, "Don't compare" but who wouldn't?

I physically wrote this blog in the dark by the way because it is now the designated period of load shedding. This is a set time everyday where there is no electricity at all. In total it lasts around 12-14 hours a day, night or day. The madness is that it has been going on for around 5 years. It happens because the Nepalese government sell their electricity to India who have investments in Nepal. India then sell it back to Nepal for a higher price and therefore there is not enough electricity to provide for their own population. Seriously f-d up.
My family hate the dark, and it's even becoming an inconvenience to me. Without an expensive generator, you are pretty much stuck (at night) with your torch and candles so there is not much else to do but try and sleep.

I'm loving the food, I seem to be lucky and get a bit of variation. The standard nepales meal is Daal Bhat Tarkari which contains rice, lentil sauce and curried vegetables eaten twice a day. I appreciate receiving samosa, chapati and my favourite aloo aka spicy potato mmm!
I am so glad not to have suffered from THE DIARREAOH (apologise for the horrendous spelling) as yet, although as a group we are all pretty strong and positive.

Oh yea, and the smoking, as long as it is in the designated areas (I got a sick rooftop at home) and out of sight of the kids I am jiggy. Chilling up on the roof, ciggie in one had, cup of chiyaa in the other and an amazing view, sorted.
:-)