March 11, 2012 - What goes around...

I am sitting in the Hong Kong airport again. In some ways, it seems as though I was just here. In other ways, it seems like it has been an eternity since I was on my way to Nepal. These past six weeks have definitely had their ups and downs, positives and negatives, good times and bad times. Overall, however, the experience has been a great one and I would not change it for the world.

Now that I’m on my way back home (and have a long layover in Hong Kong), I’ve been able to reflect on my time in Nepal and working at Patan Hospital. Every experience we have, whether good or bad, changes us in some way and helps us grow. It teaches us new lessons about ourselves, our world, and the people around us. The Nepali people have taught me lessons in patience, resilience, determination, and the extreme importance of family. They have shown me that happiness is not determined by what we have, but by who we have that surrounds us. I have been incredibly blessed to have everyone I love most surround me and help me through my time in Nepal - Mike, Katie, Phil, Ailia, Mommo, and Daddo. The experience would not have been the same without them, and their time spent in Nepal helped make my trip even more memorable. Nepal has taught me a lot, opened my eyes a great deal, and changed me in ways that I can’t explain. I only hope that I have been able to give back a small percentage of those lessons in return…

At the same time, I am ready to come home. It’s difficult being away for so long, even when I’ve had amazing visitors for the vast majority of my time here! In recognition of the contrasting feelings I’m having about leaving Nepal, I’ve come up with the following lists:

What I’m looking forward to:

1. Mason!

2. Hot showers separate from the toilet area.

3. Regular toilets everywhere I go.

4. Uninterrupted electricity.

5. Conservative use of car horns.

6. Paved roads.

7. Sleeping in my own bed.

8. Fresh produce, eaten without concern about how it will affect my GI tract the following day.

9. Safe drinking water, straight from the tap.

10. Quiet nights, free from dogs barking (assuming our neighbor dog is quiet…).

What I’ll miss about Nepal:

1. The people. Nepalis are truly an amazing and wonderful people.

2. Getting to the hospital at 8:00 and leaving by 4:00.

3. Chiya, momos, and other tasty foods.

4. Looking out my window and seeing the Himalayas.

5. A laid-back style, free from rushing around.

6. Didi, taking care of me and keeping the house in order.

7. School children in cute little uniforms practicing their English phrases with me.

8. A place where it's cheaper to eat out than cook at home...