Namaste: Padam Pokhari, Chitwan

I spent roughly 2 months in the beautiful and serene village of Padam Pokhari in Chitwan (not the national park). I first arrived here alone on my birthday, Sept. 5th, in complete fear. It was culture shock to the extreme. I hadn't expected to be placed in such a rural area, far from all the conveniences of the city. It was a birthday I will never forget - I think I almost had a breakdown that night from the sense of dread that set in after realizing I was the only foreigner in the whole area. The majority of people that I met could not speak English or had limited knowledge of it, so I felt utterly alone. The first week was definitely the hardest, but I am so thankful I stuck it out.

Living in the village turned out to be the most fascinating and eye-opening experience I have ever had. I learned more about myself and my resilience than anytime before. I met inspiring people, crazy people, drunk people, high people, poor (only in money) people, kind people, and extremely generous people. The scenery was absolutely gorgeous, especially as seasons were changing - lush green rice paddies to a sun-kissed yellowish field. Take a look!

My Neighborhood