I moved out of my homestay on Boudha just about two weeks ago. Today was the first day I've been back when either of the kids were around and it was pretty fantastic. Chonjup was super excited to see me and had about the biggest grin I've ever seen on a four year old. After a couple of minutes I started to wonder whether he was really happy to see me, or just excited to be able to ride on a tall person's shoulders. Still, this afternoon was about the longest time I can remember him going without throwing some kind of fit so I think I should be happy with whatever I can get.
I've pretty much settled into my new flat across town now. At first, my roommate and I were fairly unhappy with the place but less because it wasn't nice than because it wasn't what we expected. After three weeks of living in tents and another 5 with families and small children we were excited to have our own place but that isn't exactly where we ended up. It's not quite the same close-quarters experience but the Nepali family who lives below me has now adopted me into their family. Once again I have a younger brother nagging on me a bit and a mother who cooks me meals when she things I should eat and tells me to put on more clothing when she thinks it's cold outside. They held puja today and I missed most of it because I was with my Tibetan family. I think Gita (the mother of the Nepali family) was pretty peeved that I wasn't there but it didn't stop her from heaping leftovers on my plate when I did get home. She said that she told me on Thursday that they were having a puja today and didn't seem to understand why that I didn't interpret that as "We are having a puja on Thursday, you are a member of the family and are expected to be there." Ah well, what to do? Aiden (my roommate) has left town for a few weeks so it's nice to have the company I guess.
Below are a few photos of my Tibetan home-stay family from the day I moved out. The last one is of Chonjup laughing after he farted in the altar room (which doubled as my bedroom). Choenyi actually took the second photo. Not bad for a four year old I think.
I've pretty much settled into my new flat across town now. At first, my roommate and I were fairly unhappy with the place but less because it wasn't nice than because it wasn't what we expected. After three weeks of living in tents and another 5 with families and small children we were excited to have our own place but that isn't exactly where we ended up. It's not quite the same close-quarters experience but the Nepali family who lives below me has now adopted me into their family. Once again I have a younger brother nagging on me a bit and a mother who cooks me meals when she things I should eat and tells me to put on more clothing when she thinks it's cold outside. They held puja today and I missed most of it because I was with my Tibetan family. I think Gita (the mother of the Nepali family) was pretty peeved that I wasn't there but it didn't stop her from heaping leftovers on my plate when I did get home. She said that she told me on Thursday that they were having a puja today and didn't seem to understand why that I didn't interpret that as "We are having a puja on Thursday, you are a member of the family and are expected to be there." Ah well, what to do? Aiden (my roommate) has left town for a few weeks so it's nice to have the company I guess.
Below are a few photos of my Tibetan home-stay family from the day I moved out. The last one is of Chonjup laughing after he farted in the altar room (which doubled as my bedroom). Choenyi actually took the second photo. Not bad for a four year old I think.
Nice, decking the little ones out in CUT gear
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