Scrolling down is Subass. The smile you see is genuinely infectious. Subass is the first recipient of an RWI scholarship. He is a Nepalese citizen and a graduate from journalism school. He has also hosted a rock and roll Internet radio show. His pet project at the Chhairo Gompa is conducting a series of interviews in Nepali with Tsashi Lama in order to preserve the history of the Chhairo Gompa.
Next is Norman. He has been my friend for 45 years. Norman is a sculptor who has a unique way of looking at life. A problem solver by nature, he has been extremely helpful in evaluating the work we do at the Chhairo Gompa. He was very excited to see his first yaks. You should have seen him run to get his camera from his room at Rita's Guest House; a stiff kneed old man moving with the enthusiasm of a young boy rushing to his first parade.
Mackenzie is from Calgary. She is the first person at the breakfast table every morning and greets everyone with an optimistic and engaging presence . Recently Mackenzie quit her job in Marketing and os celebrating the event by embarking on an intrepid bit of traveling. In addition to her work in Nepal, she has spent a week in India at a Yoga retreat, will fly to Goa to be with her father, tour Delhi, Agra and Varanasi, and finish her journey by spending two weeks in Thailand with her boyfriend.
And then there is Kat. Here is the story that is so Kat. Norman and I has just landed in Seoul on our way to Singapore for an 8 hour layover before our flight to Katmandu when I received a message that some woman wanted to know If there was still time to join the group. I replied that if she could get there before we leave for Pokhara in four days,she was more than welcome to join us. Since travel time is at least 24 to 30 hours and you lose a day to time zones, it meant she would have to be in the air within 2 days so I wasn't getting my hopes up.
4 hours later when we arrived in Singapore, Kat had booked her flight and was due to arrive in Katmandu 1/2 hour before our flight to Pokhara. So why did it not surprise me that Kat was 22 years old and had the fastest smart phone typing thumbs In the world(without looking at the virtual keyboard). .. a skill she developed texting under a desk while in class earning a degree from the University of Chicago. Very adorable young woman and,as with all the volunteers, she has a keen sense of humor.
And then there is me, Carl, husband, father, grandfather, former grump,retired school teacher etc. etc.
So I asked each volunteer why they chose to come to the Chhairo Gompa. And this is what they said.
Dawa
" I like it around here. Wonderful Valley. People is happy.
Is a little different part of Nepal."
Subass
"A new experience day by day in Chhairo. Different than any place I have been in Nepal."
Norman
"It was time to go to do something different.... To put my life in perspective"
Mackenzie
" An after university reality check. Something different from everyday life."
Kat
" like such a unique opportunity to get hands on work in such a unique location.... To work with art located in the place where it was done."
Carl
" After five trips in 7 years, it feels like it's coming home. I believe in the work we are doing here."
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