Pokhara

As I write this, there's a 8 year old boy playing a video game that consists of him dressing an androgynous boy up with fancy clothing... this is why I really love Asia. But I digress.
After living in Pokhara for about 5 weeks on and off, I will finally venture out back to Tansen. As always, Pokhara is always so laid back and the food here is great, people are great, scenery is great, there's not much reason why I should leave except for work!
I've met great people and have had a chance to learn more about leprosy and other how an organization such as Green Pastures work and also had a chance to reflect on how I would like to work in such capacities. All is not work though, last weekend decided last minute to go on a 3 day rafting trip along the Kali Gandaki river. We had fair rapids, although sometimes they were a bit too exciting and we did flip some rafts along the way. The best part was camping on the secluded beaches and hanging by the campfires at the end of a long rafting day and eating great dinners.
When we arrived back to POkhara, we were greeted with massive throngs of people because of the Nepali New Year (Happy 2066!!). There was a huge fun fair set up with a questionable motorcycle derby ring and rollercoasters by the banks fo the Fewa Lake. I don't think I've seen so many people at Lakeside before.
I will really miss Pokhara and all the randomness it invokes, also will miss The Real Baguette and Guru Lotus and floating on a rowboat on Fewa Lake.

Sweaty days

The heat has been turned on in Pokhara!! Everyday, it's getting incrementally hotter and hotter, I can gauge it mostly by how much I'm sweating by the time I bike to and from the hospital. And each day, I'm basically more soaked than the previous day. Also, the midday heat feels like a sauna.
Anyways enough about the heat, work at the hospital has been really good. Been treating a variety of cases, mostly SCI but some strange cases with unknown diagnoses. One is a possible meningitis/encephalitis with significant motor impairment. So, it's been a big challenge in many ways. By coincidence 2 staff from the SIRC are coming to Green Pastures so it's been/and going to be a bit of a reunion!
Bandhs (strikes blocking transport as they block the only highways/roads in the country) have been prevalent throughout the time I've been here. Today there was a countrywide bandh. So, effectively shutting down a lot of the country. More people were on the roads today and I actually felt a bit safe biking in town without the buses with blaring horns. Was planning to head to Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha but due to bandhs, not sure if that will even be possible, and if it is, whether I can get back! Will keep you posted.