I love Thailand

Last week I went on a work trip to Chiang Mai, Thailand. It was a great week and we managed to be treated to the Flight of the Gibbon experience which is made up of a series of flying foxes which was a bit of fun (if you are okay with heights!). We spent alot of time at the Chiang Mai night markets and despite only trying to 'pass through' we always came out with buying something!

Then a few of us girls spent the weekend in Bangkok before our flights to various parts of the world. It was really sad to see that Central World was still closed (and burnt) but I'm sure it's going to come back bigger and better :) There was still a bit of evidence around Bangkok of the riots and fires that were lit. I think that it was a sad and unfortunate thing for Bangkok. It didn't do anything to deserve the terror or fear that ran through the city back in May. Anyway, looking forward to head back to Thailand in January.

I will always love Thailand.

I took a trip...

So I packed up, left the hubby at home and jetted away! Last week I was fortunate to get out of the office (and Kathmandu) and visit some communities that my organisation is working working with in teaching them how to read, write and other life lessons such as sanitation and reproductive health. I went to the districts of Rupandehi and Kapilvastu down on the Indian border and let me tell you, it was HOT! Humidity at about 100% + desest sun = a very hot and sweaty and tired Beryl! I got to visit the border crossing of Nepal and India (finally) and promise that if I would've snuck by passport control as a Nepali citizen, but alas my companions didn't let me. Here are some photos from the few days I was away...

View from my hotel windowKids playing in the canal
Their really great bamboo-roof-holding-up invention
Close to the Indian border with all the rickshaws
Me in no-mans land (neither Nepal nor India)The Nepali ladies in their brightly coloured outfits visioning how they can help their community.

Hrmm, so I'm still here...

I've been living in Nepal for 18 months. I never thought I'd say that up until 2 years ago! My husband and I only have 6 more months here and it's safe to say, we're excited! The past few months have been dragging on alot, and now that it's summer and most of the expat community have left to go home to summer in Europe or U.S.A we're definitely feeling 'cabin fever' and a great desire to get OUT of this country. Our patience has been running really thin, and usually I'm a calm, nice person but lately I've just been unleashing at people and their lack of...everything! From bad driving, to bad service I just can't keep my mouth closed. I've turned from someone who hates confrontations, to someone that will now go out of my way to create one. I'm very very bad!

But anyway, I'm praying for patience and a tongue that speaks kinds words at the moment. I think it's working :)

On a better note, we have done some amazing things since being here. Such as trekking to Mt. Everest Base Camp and seeing the Himalayas out our kitchen window, elephant riding, jungle adventures, meeting really great people from around the world, and my personal favourite: riding on the back of a scooter. Nothing more liberating like it, especially with the breeze in your hair. Cliche, but true :)

So the countdown begins for our holiday to Europe in October...Dubai, Turkey, London, Morocco, Paris, Milan and Prague. They all better be ready! Coz I'm unsure what this girl will do with all the built up cabin fever!!

Love Beryl xx