Last Days in Pepsi Cola - Kathmandu, Nepal
Kathmandu, Nepal
At least the second time around I knew what was coming and to avoid getting stressed I started preparations early. I took the photographs for the children's albums, purchased one more replacement backpack, finalized the last of the women's English lessons (adjectives!), updated Sunrise's volunteer handbook, and wrote about my experiences for future volunteers.
Although nothing could prepare me for the actual leaving part of it. It was hard saying goodbye. It started with Tish and I going for a last visit to Boudhanath to see Victor one last time. It was all well and good for Tish, who had decided to return to Nepal in January for a second stint volunteering. But I was feeling a bit down after hugging Victor goodbye.
We had a lovely time though, that evening, going for the mandatory stroll around the Boudha stupa, after which we retreated to a little Tibetan restaurant where we had a delicious meal, and where Tish had a go at the Tibetan drink recommended by Victor: warm beer called Tongba. As if the fact that it was warm beer wasn't enough to put me off, the face Tish pulled when she tasted it surely sealed the deal. I stuck to my Sprite that night.
On the way back the taxi driver seemed a bit flaky, driving back and forth over the same bumpy road, convinced he had missed a turn somewhere, but going in the right direction the first time round. It must have taken us at least an hour to get back to Pepsi Cola, but I honestly didn't mind much, it was time well spend chatting with my dear friend, something I felt we didn't get to do enough in our busy volunteering schedules.
Activities in Pepsi Cola, like photo sharing, blog updating, e-mailing and typing up the changes to the volunteer book, got quite a bit challenging towards the end of the week, what with the power cuts we were suffering. Some days we wouldn't have power for most of the early morning and evening (when you need light to do anything!) or for the entire afternoon (when the volunteer office was open and you had time to use the computer).
Also, when I made quick run into Kathmandu on one of the last days to have the photographs for the children printed, I was told by more than one photo shop that it would take a few hours to be ready, as the lack of power was preventing them from doing actual work. And I had been counting on 1-hour service!
I finally managed to find a shop with a generator, and spend the hour I had left buying gifts for Kabita and Bharat, as well as paying one last visit to the heart of Kathmandu, the many narrow streets and courtyards surrounding the Durbar Square. I wanted my last glimpse of the city to be a good one. And it was.
Back in Pepsi Cola it was all getting a bit close to saying final farewells and the Friday before I left was one of the most moving days of my life. It started with my last day at the women's centre. The ladies really gave me and Elva a proper send-off, in the Nepalese tradition with puja and tika's and lots of singing and dancing, whilst we handed out sweets and juice. It was beautiful.
Back home I prepared Kabita's memory book, in which I wrote, with the help of my advanced English students, in both Nepalese and English, a little thank you note. It took me the better part of an hour to do it, but Mama's excitement at finally being able to read and understand the entire message was surely worth it!
That afternoon I collected the children from school for the last time, and we did homework together, had one last round of toy library, and finally, when it started getting dark, I said my goodbyes at the orphanage. I managed to hold it together until I was out of the gate, but when a dozen little voices started calling out goodbye from the balcony when I started my walk down the street, the tears finally came and didn't stop until I reached home.
My last evening meal with the host family was a good one, very cosy with the only other volunteer left, a sweet Chinese girl called Summer and both Mama and Papa for a change (Bharat usually works the evening at the airport). The lights were scheduled to go out at 8pm sharp and so they did. Mine went out soon after.
By the time the volunteer van arrived the next morning to take me back to the airport I was ready. I had spent one last morning enjoying the sunshine on the roof terrace, all the bags were packed, the goodbyes had been said. Summer and Kabita joined me in the van to town and waved at me until I could no longer see them. I couldn't wait to get to Australia. But the time spent in Pepsi Cola will always have a special little place in my memory.