This post features student writing.
Day 17: August 1
First full day back in Kathmandu! Started with breakfast at the guest house and then left at around 10 AM. Rather than taking the usual private bus, we got to experience the public transportation of Kathmandu at one of its busiest times. This consisted of public buses, and you knew which bus was which by a guy hopping out and yelling in Nepali with rupees in his hand — therefore an experience that could not have been successful without Mingmar and Chhyamba. We had to go on two separate buses at first because they were too crowded to fit all 17 of us. But somehow we found each other again when we switched to the other bus. More public transportation to come tomorrow morning.
So we took the buses to visit an artist named Ashmina Ranjit and Lok Chitrakar, both of whom we will also be seeing tomorrow. They are both incredible artists — one a woman who focuses on expressing “taboo” female topics through art to create a more positive environment surrounding those topics, and the other is a man who focuses on traditional Nepali paintings called Phrabha. Both of these artists are incredibly inspiring and also incredibly different but still have a ton of respect and admiration for each other’s work which I thought was cool.
In between the introduction of those artists (and stuffing our faces with food) we took a couple of hours to walk around the neighborhood led by a guide. Something that he kept mentioning and also something that is very prevalent in Kathmandu is the constant construction and rebuilding happening everywhere throughout the city. He also introduced the idea that destruction is not always bad, for it causes renewal and motivation to be a better city, which I thought was an interesting and good way to look at it. He and other Nepalis we met seemed very optimistic about Kathmandu as a city. Basically everyone who lives here seems like they love it.
Dinner was pizza at the cafe, while watching everyone perform at the talent show. There was acroyoga, French poetry, the saxophone and more. It was definitely a highlight. At the end none of us wanted to leave for the guest house because we were all talking and jamming to great times (in which I was the DJ) such as September, My Girl, etc. Overall a great Day.
— Sophia B.
Day 18/19: August 2/3
We spent our final day in Kathmandu drawing, painting, and coloring in Patan under the likes of Lok Chitrakar and Ashmina Ranjit. Lok cordially invited us into his office and school where he showed us paintings that he’s been working on for over 23 years! That’s almost as old as our leaders.
In the afternoon, we painted an incredible mural that represented our entire trip thus far. And we got to eat some unbelievably good brownies.
We returned home to change and then set out for quite the culturally immersive dinner. While we enjoyed unrivaled thakali and appetizers, we sat and watched as dancers performed several different caste dances. At the end of dinner, they even suprised us with a cake for Gabby and Daniella. Happy Birthday!
All in all, it was a great day. Very few lows in the nightly meeting and even a few tears of family. It’s been a special trip, but it’s not over yet!
Ok…well now it almost is. It’s our last day and we’re shopping. Of course. Getting some sweet bags from Sonam that represent all we’ve learned about in terms of female empowerment and opportunity creation. We’re also getting some sweet trinkets in town. The echos of staying here keep floating around, but our flight is tonight. It’s been amazing, Nepal. Until next time!
— Community Service Nepal Group B