Namaste

The way of greeting people in Nepal is to put your hands in the praying position and to say 'Namaste". Nepal has given us all a great bit of Namaste! The welcome has been amazing and the whole experience one not to be missed. Since my last blog of a few days ago I realised that one or two items were not mentioned and really should have been. One was the waterfall shower we used during our 2 days rafting. It was one of those Hollywood moments that you never expect to happen in reality. Claire especially enjoyed this and I think she would have stayed there for ever! Another high was the rafting experience and seeing Marshall fall in the water a few times - it certainly cooled him down! Having meals prepared for us at the side of the river was also a high spot. Such good food and then we washed the dishes in the river for next time!

Coming back to Calcutta India (or Kolkata as it is now known) was a reality check though, AWFUL HOTEL! Nepal has many problems to face, e.g. I was severely challenged by seeing so many children sniffing glue openly in the streets. There were a few occasions when these kids were also begging and instead of giving money I gave a bottle of pop or a packet of biscuits or crisps, They ran away like animals in order to feed (I would love to do something to help these kids). But Calcutta was indescribable, the poverty, the smell, smoke, noise and garbage... At 7am I went for a 10 minute walk and there were people sleeping everywhere. It needs to be experienced to believe. Again a great challenge and I would not know where to begin!

I was glad to get to Bangkok! Clean hotels and great food again! A late night party with a mix of us middle aged and younger ones which led to too many drinks being had! (I hope I did not disgrace myself but I will never drink Tequila again!). I was told buy Irish Laura that "I needed to just learn how to drink it" – lick salt first, then drink, then bite the lime. Never again.

During the night I did also manage to have an interesting chat with Dan about faith. We talked about Stephen Hawking and lots more. I think we bored those around us but I really enjoyed it. I love it when people are not afraid to talk about faith issues. They challenge me and keep me asking questions about so many things, poverty and suffering in particular.

Now (11th) I am in Chiang Mai. Only 24 of us have come. We have a new Oz Bus which is so clean and smart. Later today we travel to see some Buddhist temples and countryside. Then to the Myanmar border. I have decided to go to Myanmar as I don't think not going will do any good. Perhaps the more people that go the better for the people of that country.

Best wishes to all.