"we're creating a new nepal"

Yesterday was election day in Nepal. It was so interesting and so different from any election experience I've had at home. First of all, everything has been closed this week because of the elections-schools, government buildings, some shops, buses, etc. The amazing thing to me is that there are 43 parties! I can't imagine having to decide between all of those, I can't even make a decision with a handful of people running for one party. but, I guess that everyone will find a party that represents themself, or they could just create one I guess.

there was such a positive vibe at the polls yesterday. we arrived there at 6:30 and there were already 15 lines, at least, formed. I don't want to know how early the first person got there. THere were seperate lines for men and women, and the women's lines were infinitely longer. Til, the woman that we are visiting, says its because the women must come early so they can return and cook for the family. Also, because many of the men have gone to other countries to work and make money. Instead of grumbling or complaining about the long lines or having to vote, the Nepalese were so excited! THe heat and lines didn't seem to bother them, instead it was a great opportunity to spend time with other people. Many of them were saying, "we are creating a new nepal!" I hope that I can sense this excitement when election time comes in November.

The sense of community here is like nothing that I've ever experienced. Very few people in this town work, which is really surprising to me. Instead, they just sit on the porch with their families and neighbors, and occassionaly work in the fields. Its hot, so I can understand that they wouldn't really want to do anything. but it isn't unusual if someone walks in your house unannounded-no knocking, no doorbell, no hello. completly normal, and I really like that. also, there is no privacy! everyone bathes out doors in plain view for everyone to see. if they aren't bathing in their backyard they are at the local watering hole bathing with several other people from the village, along with some fish and frogs, and buffalo. that is definitely something that i have to get used to!

another thing that I cant stop thinking about is the role of women here. they have so much responsibility yet so little rights. theoratically they have rights, but in practice not so much. stuck in the kitchen it seems. the roles between men and women are very clearly defined. my western mentality says that its oppressive, but from what I've observed they don't think so. which is good for them I guess. yesterday I was talking with a man that belongs to the higher caste and he was telling me how he thinks that caste system is bad and there should be no divisions. but then he said, "there are two castes in this world-men and women."

we've been spending a lot of time with Til and her family. its been really difficult feeling like we are part of the family. they treat us so well and rarely let us help around the house, or in the fields. but those walls are coming down quickly enough. we've had a good time working in the fields and learning about the agrculture here, and how so much can grow with very dry soil and very little water. the last time it rained here was almost two months ago. all of my favorite foods grow here though-mango, pineapple, banana, papaya, rice, tomoatoes, and eggplant. the food is really good, of course. except they feed us so much. I eat more at lunch than I do in a week normally-so I guess I cant throw out my hopes that I would lose weight on this trip!

oh, some things that I really like about nepal is that I haven't seen a clock or mirror in two days. I like that a lot!!

its really hard to absorb everything thats going on around me, but its even harder to articulate it! but on a lighter note, if you visit nepal expect to live in the future. right now its the yera 2064, and april 13 marks the new year. pretty funny to me. another thing you should know if you ever visit nepal is that the 1 and 9 look really similar. at first I kept asking myself, "why do they have a 90 dollar bill?" luckily I figured out that it was a 1 before I used it to pay for anything!