It is now only one month until we leave for Nepal, and we are still waiting.
This process has felt very slow at times, but suddenly the bus is starting to speed up. We first approached UMN to volunteer in 2013, and there has been a process of application and approval, including background checks and psychological profiles. Although our initial expression of interest was well-received, the process of approval was finalized only in December 2014.
On top of that, we have had logistics to work through. Slowly, we have achieved and organised. We have a house to move into when we return (currently rented out) and just before Christmas, I got a job appointment (in the same town). The kids have said good bye to their school, knowing their next school will be in Tansen.
We are now just one month away from hopping on a plane, so we are full into the waiting phase. You know those times when you “check out” before truly finishing a task? That.
Cris is at the hospital in the summer “go slow” with reduced operating lists, and full strength registrar workforce, vying for cases. So she’s at work, but with less responsibility. The kids are halfway through the Fifty Year Storm of summer holidays – which is turning into two months of Minecraft and cricket. Luke is wrangling summer holiday kids, struggling to find time for himself, and perpetually preparing the house to entice potential buyers.
We’re waiting.
At the same time, we’ve been energized and excited about our lives in Nepal. About meeting the people, understanding Bollywood, learning Nepali cooking, and meeting board game geeks.
But until something changes here, we’re still waiting.
Sounds like an amazing adventure! Good luck!! I will be reading along and reminiscing of my travels in Nepal in 1997, it is a beautiful place with absolutely beautiful, happy people.