My temporary life in rural Nepal

There was no forward plan, but as it turns out, I’ve been going to Pokhara each weekend while I’ve been living in Kalabang, and each of those times, it has been a welcome break from the intensity of village life.

School hours are 10-4, six days per week, but often I spend an hour or two with students before school, another hour or two with them after school, and another couple of hours with the adults over dinner in the evening, exchanging culture and ideas and helping to improve vocabulary, grammar etc. Some days it seems the only time I have to myself is the time I sleep! So this is why Pokhara has become such an important part of my weekly routine. And it’s a nice place to visit, regardless.

On Friday morning I pack what I need for 2 nights, and have it ready to go straight after school when I catch the 4:30pm Bhumdi-Pokhara bus. The bus is always an adventure in itself, seeing what people are transporting (gas cylinders, milk churns, bundles of wood, enormous bags of rice – it all goes on the bus, either in the aisle, in the luggage hold, or on top) how the driver is driving, and how much the bus attendant is charging. The fare has never been the same twice. To get to Lakeside, the tourist precinct of Pokhara, I have to change buses. While the first stage of the journey takes about 30-40 minutes, the second part is rarely more than about 5. I have to pay attention or I would miss my stop.

Once at Lakeside, it’s a quick shower then down to the lake for sunset and a glass or two of wine at Bamboo Bar. The waiters know me by now, and although they still ask, they already know what I’m going to order. If I’m lucky the resident cat lets me give her a pat, although she tends to prefer to impose herself upon the non-cat-lovers.

In Pokhara I have a no-rice rule, so choosing somewhere to eat is always fun, and diners are spoiled for choice there. The other day I even noticed a Vietnamese restaurant on the main road, and although I probably wouldn’t try it (I’m from Melbourne, where every other restaurant is Vietnamese), it’s a good indication that all tastes are catered for.

Saturday is usually a nice mix of shopping, eating, occasionally a massage and lots of time relaxing at the hotel. I have my Saturdays in Pokhara to thank for many of these blog posts! Above all, Pokhara has been about laying back and having time to chill. Like the buffalos on the streets of Lakeside…

Then on Sunday morning it’s one last hot shower, then either back onto the bus or sometimes a taxi to Kalabang in time for school at 10am.