Thanks and Goodbye

We're off today!

A quick entry to say THANK YOU to a few people who have contributed in different ways to help us make this trip. You are all lovely! And you are ... Yvonne and Jason, Eileen and Pat, Susan and Monty, Frances, Mom and Nick, Mum and Dad, Grandma Mary and Grandpa Cy, Sandy and John, Greg and Julie, and Joy and Lionel. Your generousity and support mean the world to us. Thank you! Here are some flowers for you (!?!).....

It's been a bit of a rollercoaster week, but in a few hours we're off to the airport and while we're not quite ready yet ... we will be!

And because we'll miss her and also because this picture is so darn cute, and she is making her own sacrifice, here is the baby girl in all her glory ... (thanks again Eileen and Pat)

Who knows what we'll be doing next?!!

.......

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing" (Helen Keller)

Nepal beckons

Time for a quick update .... things are certainly heating up here as we get ready for our ever-nearing departure to Nepal. We arrive in Kathmandu in a week and a half (Tuesday March 31). We are planning to stay in Kathmandu for three nights to get over 30 hours of travel time and the 13.45 hours ahead of our current time zone. Interestingly, Nepal is 5 hours and 45 minutes ahead of GMT, an extra 15 minutes ahead of India (which is 5 hours and 30 minutes ahead of GMT) - supposedly to make sure it is considered separate from India! If it's 1pm in London, it's 6:45 pm in Nepal ... bizarre!
Anyway, after we get over the jet lag, we hope to have some of the three days to explore Kathmandu, and possibly to take a short flight around Mount Everest. Apparently you get to celebrate the flight with a gin and tonic in your hand. So, if we can do so without spilling our drink, we thought we would try and wave encouragement to the climbers crawling up the slopes. Maybe even raise the glass in a "Cheers" gesture before flying past ...
Then we head by bus (a 6 to 8 hour journey) to Pokhara where we will be staying for the next month while we work in the clinic and with the students. We will also be doing some advertising and marketing if the time allows, and (God help them) apparently doing a bit of IT/computer stuff ... (possibly) (maybe) (perhaps) ....
We are looking into some weekend trips (such as to one of the national parks for a safari), but most of our time will be spent in the clinic. Evan will be teaching for 4-5 hours a day (Mon-Sat), and Andy will be assisting with teaching, doing some anatomy and physiology teaching, and working individually with one of the more advanced students. Andy is also considering (selflessly) offering his very body for massage practice daily ...
When we finish up with the students, we have about a week left. During this time, we hope to have a bit more opportunity to travel and see more of Nepal. And then we have a short (one day) stop-over in Hong Kong before heading back to the USA.

OK, any questions .... !!!!
........
"This is the true joy in life - being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; being thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap heap; being a force of nature instead of a feverish selfish little clod of ailments and grievances, complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy" (George Bernard Shaw).

Cajun Squirrels

We have a very important subject to address which deserves its very own post; whilst in England, we had the "opportunity" to try Walker's latest flavor of crisps (chips for the Americans). Being the staunch vegetarians we are, Cajun Squirrel was a must.

Tastes like chicken!

....

"Never eat more than you can lift." (Miss Piggy)

Home again, home again, giggidy gig

We are now back in the good old US of A. Finished up in Barcelona with a bit more sight seeing and coffee drinking. Discovered the correct term for our adopted lifestyle - we apparently flourish in what is called a 'cafe culture'. We went to a 13th century convent and found some wall scratchings from an imprisioned naughty novice .... "St. John, don't forget me?" (Possible past life by one of us?!!!!).

Tried to go to Mount Tibidabo but only made it as far as the bar at the start of the funicular ride.

Got to enjoy a drink and some very good people watching at the interesting 'Dietrich Gay Teatro Bar' (worth going for the name alone). And one last good eat-up at our favorite Barcelona restaurant for pinchos and cava (sparkling wine) before we left.

Then spent the last couple of days back in England catching up with and saying goodbye to friends and family. Evan and Gina spent a day in London, including a less than eventful excursion to the Boy George store ..... less than impressed. Also took a trip to St. Albans with mum and dad.

Arrived back last night and settling back in today. It's always a bit of a struggle. Colorado was so excited she was unable to keep still, and didn't stop singing for about 20 minutes. She had a good time at the B-E-A-C-H and is settling back at home too after her 'vacation'. We'll upload some photos soon.

Of course, now we need to start getting ready for Nepal....
......
"My wish is to ride the tempest, tame the waves, kill the sharks. I will not resign myself ..." (Trieu Thi Trinh)