Christmas and final countdown

Long time since I've posted, spent part of last week in Pokhara for Christmas celebrations with other volunteers. It's so wonderful to return there and I really plan to return for another trek or just relaxing there in the future. Spent a lot of time scootering around the town and surrounding area and even ended up with a tan! It's so nice to go to a place where you don't feel cold constantly (ie. Kathmandu and Banepa!). Christmas day was a bit odd because this is the first time I've spent Christmas away from family and in a warm place. Had a roast chicken dinner which was OK, nothing like turkey at home. And the cake was no comparison to my dad's wonderful christmas log which I've been dreaming about the last few days. Also have never spent Christmas day dancing in a club, definitely a memorable Christmas holiday! Jan and I decided to fly back from Pokhara instead of enduring the 6-7 hour bus ride back to Kathmandu. The plane was delayed 2 hours but the flight lasted a total of 25 minutes! When I returned to Banepa I found out that all the shops were on strike. Supposedly, the night before, 6 burglars (there were many break-ins over the last few weeks) were apprehended by locals and then were taken to the police. Over the course of the night, the burglars paid the police off and were released quietly. So, there was uproar over this corruption and everyone went on strike. Not sure if the burglars were caught again.
I am also in my last few days in Nepal. I really never thought I could love this place when I first arrived. I was so overwhelmed by the noise, smells and pollution that I was initially put off by the country. However, after doing all the travelling over the last months, I have grown to love it. It's a beautiful country rich in natural beauty of the Himalayas and varied landscapes and wonderful hospitable people. I have met so many interesting people who are doing such good work to raise the people out of the hardships many Nepalis endure here. I cannot wait to return back here in a few years and see how much this country has changed. In the meantime, I'm just trying not to be too sad about leaving while keeping myself occupied by thinking of my next project in Cambodia!
Happy new year everyone!