This post features student writing.
Today our morning was similar to yesterday’s, gathering for a family breakfast before starting our hike to the work site. Our group was split into two, with one group moving rocks to different piles and the other filling the site with dirt. We worked for an hour before breaking to spend a couple of hours at a nearby children’s school, where one large classroom was built by previous Putney groups. We walked through the gates of the school and were greeted by small cute children in tiny uniforms. They ran and laughed as they made their way around the grounds. We were introduced to the principal and the children began placing chairs in a U-formation around a small outdoor stage. Then the recital began. There were American and Nepalese dances as well as solo performances, including a young boy beat boxer! We laughed and clapped and sang and many of us smiled so much our faces ached well into the afternoon.
After the recital and saying goodbye to the students we walked back to the Girls Dorm for lunch. It was too late in the day to return to the work site, unfortunately. We finally started practicing our Nepalese dance with instruction from the girls. Many of us are not that great at dancing but it was so much fun for the whole group to attempt together. Sadly, our practice only lasted an hour, even though many of us were eager to learn more. After dance we split into our evening rotations to learn Nepali, help prepare dinner, and discuss our independent projects. Before dinner we had some free time and we played volleyball and relaxed. Dinner was rice, lentil soup, fries, and pizza with a Nepalese touch. We wrapped up the day with our family meeting, sharing highs and lows.
— Ethan
Today we gathered at 8:00 for breakfast—a bit of a later start—and had buckwheat pancakes, corn flakes, and omelettes with bell peppers. After breakfast we left the girls dorm and traveled to the Saturday morning market in Salleri village. The vendors at the market sold fruits, livestock, and a variety of clothing and small items. We explored the market in small groups and many of us bought snacks and a few items of clothing to use on our trek starting in a few days. We left the bazaar around noon and had lunch back at the dorm: fried cauliflower, pasta with cheese, rice and lentils, and pineapple juice. We spent the afternoon at the work site, continuing to fill trenches with soil. Later, back at home base, we continued with our daily dance lesson, learning many more moves and parts of the dance than the day before. Rotations of Nepali lessons, cooking, and independent project time followed. Dinner was sherpa stew! This consists of potatoes, tomatoes, ginger, onions, and dough. After dinner we had the privilege of spending time with a few of the girls who live and study at the school, ages 17-18. Their rooms are right below our dorm rooms and they even have their own kitchen! We asked questions about their future and what they are studying. It was really special when we exchanged cultural songs. We sang our national anthem and naturally “Party in the USA” while they shared traditional Nepali songs. After long successful conversations—despite the language divide—we left for the night. After a brief family meeting to wrap up the great day, it was time for bed.
— Ethan
