Here's a meme! I still remember, the poon-hillers were coming back from pokhara to kathmandu. And some of us sat in the backseat with Angus' ipod 'blasting' (sortof), and we (or I) were going "I'm used to...." etc etc. So here goes! A meme about all the things I've come to experience and get used to in Nepal! :D
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I'm used to dal bhat.
I'm used to drinking milk tea.
I'm used to waking up to the sight of snow-capped mountains.
I'm used to sleeping in tents in a cocoon of a sleeping bag.
I'm used to everything communal (water bottle, mess tins, utensils, toilet, toiletries, even clothes). We really care and share.
I'm used to cleaning indian pots in the dead cold of the night.
I'm used to nose boogers on little children.
I'm used to squatting in the toilet (never knew I could squat for so long...).
I'm used to hourly bingeing on biscuits (smileys, digestives, marie biscuits, square biscuits... you name it, I've eaten it).
I'm used to shining a torch on the ground.
I'm used to witnessing in solemn silence the kukura katigo ceremony.
I'm used to not having any sensation on my nose.
I'm used to having paint on my fingernails, hair and an entire colour scheme on my hands.
I'm used to icy cold water every morning every night.
I'm used to throwing toilet paper in a trashbag not the toilet.
I'm used to sitting by a campfire every night and staring into the flames.
I'm used to nightly debrief sessions, in order words, excuse-t0-eat-more-junk-food-time.
I'm used to being greeted a million times per day by eternally enthusiastic kids (never felt such popularity before...)
I'm used to climbing a rickety ladder to draw a certain sun and cursing myself for designing this everytime I climb up there and fear for my life.
I'm used to peeling oranges and letting the peel fall at my feet and not pick it up.
I'm used to walking on stony, rocky uneven grounds and roads. And no traffic lights anywhere in sight.
I'm used to bouncy bus rides and the smell of burning rubber.
I'm used to the utterly adorable and charming little boys of the village.
I'm used to the incredible generosity of the womenfolk (who sewed my pants and kept giving me stuff).
I'm used to midnight chats in huddled groups out in the cold.
I'm used to being padded with layers upon layers of clothes.
I'm used to awesome sunsets and sunrises and scenery views which I'll never see in Singapore.
I'm used to not taking a bath for more than a week.
I'm used to surprisingly good and cheap western steaks in Pokhara.
I'm used to figuring out where to place the torchlight in the toilet at night.
I'm used to dancing to Nepali folksong and DIY music around a fire.
I'm used to not sweating. Ever.
I'm used to being almost knocked down by traffic a dozen times.
I'm used to choosing between ma ling pork and ma ling pork for the meat dish for lunch.
I'm used to walking around narrow pathways near sheer cliff drops and not getting heart attacks.
I'm used to cam-whoring with various other whores and the village kid pimps.
I'm used to taking dance lessons from the 'hot' gurung (anil is hot and kat is not!) and wriggly worm.
I'm used to having a great big 'laugh' on the night of Angus' birthday.
I'm used to getting down the bus and taking photos while the guys have to push. I help by staying out of the way!
I'm used to the paper and plastic resources of Delphine!
I'm used to the beat boxing and drumming entertainment by the dogs.
I'm used to being watered and fed by the god-sent welfare crew (usually led by mother goose) sometimes during painting.
I'm used to dicussing cookery in intense chinese.
I'm used to scary stalker nepali boy (Have a break, have a kit....?).
I'm used to words like "shit-stirrer" (Naresh's fave), "chootia" and "let's bounce!"
I'm used to joining an orderly girls' toilet queue every night before sleeping.
I'm used to lazing in the "tee tee's" tent and doing nothing but lie down and eat biscuits.
I'm used to playing frissbee in a circle.
I'm used to midnight soccer on a stone field and unusually bright moonlight.
I'm used to hard, but very fragile tiny square breads in the morning for breakfast.
I'm used to having deep intense gossip sessions while painting side by side with people.
I'm used to papad!
I'm used to not knowing any Nepali words to say for weeks except for "namaste!" and dhanyabad!"
I'm used to the extremely strong and bone-crushing handshake grip of the villagers (they don't know their strength man!)
I'm used to bargaining for every single purchase I make (so tiring!).
I'm used to crammed taxi rides and bus breakdowns and flat tyres and 'Nepali Time'.
I'm used to insane driving and complete disregard for traffic rules. What rules???
I'm used to living alongside goats and buffaloes (without getting pushed off the cliff, phew!).
I'm used to having a pouch eternally strapped on.
I'm used to keeping duct tape with me for a few days....(hahaha).
I'm used to forming human chains to transport bags and boxes up and down and up and down buses.
I'm used to living out of a huge backpack.
I'm used to hearing peoples' stories and their lives and their likes and wants and loves =D
I'm used to discussing the perennial question of "Who's your top 2?! Who's your top 2?!"
I'm used to seeing shooting stars at night.
I'm used to misplacing my stuff in the logs room, in the tents, in everywhere.
I'm used to unglam camera shots and the perfectionist's pursuit of a less "aunty" look. (hehehe)
I'm used to absolutely zero privacy and being walked in when I'm using the toilet even when the sign says "ockupied!"
I'm used to stepping on shit and touching shit and getting shit splattered on my face.
I'm used to not being able to smell how bad the toilet really is.
I'm used to the Indiana Jones song being whistled in perfect harmony.
I'm used to the sudden disappearance of many guys due to smoke break behind the toilets.
I'm used to "stanchart" and a puffed up pillow that is sheiting in SIX layers and angus in short sleeves at night.
I'm used to zhengling's completely crushed haitai biscuits added to milo. And how that was heaven.
I'm used to thash getting more 'tarzan' (or moses) as each day passes.
I'm used to the sound of bernard's electric shaver outside my tent (and I know he's awake).
I'm used to eating continental breakfasts at the hotels.
I'm used to John's player talk. Haha!
I'm used to not having rain. Ever.
I'm used to laughing and joking and gossiping with everyone.
I'm used to singing disney songs in the all-girls' choir.
I'm used to having time pass so beautifully slow....
I'm used to being given flower garlands by the adults and hand-made bouquets by the charming little Nepali boys.
I'm used to taking all the awesome experiences that we had there for granted, while I was there, and still was able to soak it all in. And now that I'm back home, I realise what I'm missing.
I'm used to the life of Project Namaste 2.
I'm used to Nepal. =)
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And what do I still think of Anil??
"Nepali!"
Haha...
- Huiling, still wishing she was back there -
