Nepali Ho

So I am finally here in Kathmandu. It is a beautifully overwhelming place. The last leg of the trip was uneventful, minus the intense questioning over my visa, since I was applying for tourist visa to get into country even though I am a volunteer, which is technically illegal, so I did my best lying and fourtantely the guy gave up and let me go. Keep in mind this is what I was told to do by JVI so it would have been there issue.
My apartment is nice,its on the edge of the foreign district of Kathmandu, meaning its where most of the non-nepali live. However all of our neighbors are, so we feel better about it. I also live across the lane from the YCL which is also the Young Communist League, who are the ones causing the uprising and troubles right now. Its an interesting history with the YCL. They are only around because the Maoists after the revolution are recquired to live in seven Maoist camps, while the army is not allowed out of their barracks, its the peace agreement between them. So the Maoists did not want there leaders and main militia men to be stuck in these camps so the YCL was created and the men who were apart of that took on the identity of the top leaders and such so that the leaders could operate thought the YCL. Its definitley something that I need to learn more about, especially since they are my neighbors and all.
Some of the trouble that I am talking of is for example this morning we have no water and last night they turned off the power for about 3 hours. They ration power in the Winter since Nepal runs by hydropower, but its way too soon to be doing it now, so who knows the reason or who was meant to be punished, same with the water, its all about corruption and whos paying who off. O have yet to read a local paper since we only get them at the GA (where I work) so hopefully I'll get more insight once I start reading a daily, that and when I learn the language enough to talk to others, because thats how you really know whats going on.
My Roomates are also good. I am sharing a room with Katie which will be an adjustment after not sharing for so long, but we get along well and its been good so far. Sean is funny and definitley enjoys showing and telling me about Nepal which is good. I met the Godavri Community as well and they are awesome too. There house is the old summer Palace, but do not get that mixed up with a vision of a palace today, cause its not. It is on beautiful land and its a wonderful house, but I dont want people to think there living in splendor. I do however wish that I wasnt the only first year here now. Its a little rough especially when all the housemates speak Nepali and I have no idea whats going on. But they wouldnt have done it this way if they didnt think I could handel it, but it will feel more complete for me at least when Pat does get here in January.
Speaking of Nepali, it is definitley the main langauge here unlike what others have said. Since I do not live in the tourist area, people speak Nepali, and it definitley is a challenge since I do not start language classes until next week, but I am picking up the little I can now.
In Nepal another big thing is traffic. It is a total free for all, mixed in with a honking and yelling. But the thing is the honking is not meant as a get out of the way, rather a way to tell the person in front of you that you are behind them since you have the right of way. Thats right the person behind you has the right of way. Also the person merging onto a road does not have to look out for you, you have to merge around them as they pull out. Needless to say I'm glad I am not driving here. I learned this all when on the second night here I decided to go with Sean on a bike ride to the market. I think it was good that it was night and I really couldnt see just how many times we could have been hit. Though I was proud of myself especially after I heard that Katie didnt go on a bike until 6 months after being here, granted all I really did was follow Sean, who knows when I'll go by myself.
Another interesting thing is that if you are a driver and you hit someone you are required by law to pay for the funeral if they die or the medical bills if they are injured. It is cheaper to pay for a funeral then for medical expenses, so drivers if they hit someone will often try to back them over and kill them. I learned this because walking home from the micro (mini-van that is usually filled with 20+ people) and came across a Bundha which is when people or political groups will shut down sections of the streets by blocking them off in protest. Now the American in me was like what about the authorities? Dont they stop this? Depending on the power and number of people the group has. The bunts also lead to the shutting down of buisness and for me no work. I have already seen two since being here and both because someone has been killed. which is how I heard about the law. The reason why yesterday there was a bunt was because a girl and a guy on a motorbike were hit by a driver the girl died and the boy was badly injured. The guy who hit them claims he can not pay the expenses, which is why there was a protest. Its also how I learned (mom your may want to skip this part) that if I get hit to tuck and roll and jump up regardless what shape I am in, so that I do not get backed over. Good to know.
Otherwise, things are going well, I still am lost all the time but, I know it will get better. I just take it a day at a time. I am however looking foward to the cool weather in the next coming months....it is a lil hot for me right now!