ram sopana daiknoos

i know i'm spelling that wrong but it means have sweet dreams.
i also say kasta cho and tik cho which means how are you i am fine.
and yesterday the older girls called me over and painted my eyes and nails coal black.
i wish i could describe how beautiful they all are.
p (trying not to name names because i heard it wasn't wise for their safety) breaks my heart with his wide eyes and his eyelashes that stretch to the moon. he is a bit slow so he needs help putting on socks and all i want is a smile from his tiny stubs of teeth.
s is exquisite and so kind to her younger brothers and sisters. the other day we got to take some of them to a party at the british school (a huge country club like place with armed guards) and the children were given guacamole and salami sandwiches, cake and chips and they all reached for the fruit first!
then i got an amazing trip to boudinath on a motorbike - which is about 99% of the time going into oncomig traffic - no lights of course and at night very little electricity. boudinath has an incredible stupa (temple) where there are prayer wheels and people make ceremonial circles around the stupa and turn the prayer wheels. then there was a special candle lighting ceremony in the center of the square. they spelled out "prosperity for peace" and lots of words in nepali on the ground using candles made of ghee (clarified butter). at least 1000 candles. little children lighting the ones in the middle so they could be airlifted by the older men. one ittle boy wore a sweatshirt that said "bitch" in big bright letters. then after all the candles are lit we just watched them and smelled the incredible rich hope in the middle of this crazy city - piles of buirning garbage and starving children and dogs and yaks on the streets and on the motorcycle ride home there are no lights except the random lantern, people still outside, selling sunglasses, sweatshirts, lighters and potatoes, swatting away the dust.

thank you again for all your comments - rebecca i will definitely tell them you say hi! so great you have these pictures. i am reloading my camera as soon as i get off this keyboard
anna - left hand is for washing/wiping after the toilet ..nuff said
aunt laurel - please tell jenny to take it easy on plank and do it with bent knees. also ask her if it's tendinitis in the wrist or elbow please :-)

off to the next adventure! hope to include pictures next time! xoxooxoxoo,
a