Thursday: Almost Friday!

 This morning, Anil and Manisha were preparing the form to report grades to the university.

Dr. Kafle stopped by and we discussed logistics for the American guests who will be visiting over the next 2 weeks. Dr. Kafle will be in Germany for 7 days next week, so we needed to get coordinated before he leaves.

Manisha's cousin visited the school today for an orthodontic appointment. I had a pleasant conversation with her. From her, I learned about why so many women wear red garments to weddings. Apparently, married women wear red. So that explains my observation of so many women wearing red.

After school, I walked into town for a meal. On my way, I encountered my first traffic fatality. I heard a screech and a crash close behind me as I was walking along this street. When I turned around, I saw this motorcycle on the ground with the driver slowly getting up (apparently without significant injuries). A microbus was stopped right behind him, and then I saw the dog lying at the roadside: dead. I don't know what happened or which vehicle hit the dog.

I walked on. 

In two places I saw these leaves drying on the ground. I don't know what they are. Maybe they are like tobacco? Or maybe they are used for a food?

For dinner I had these "Chicken Stripes" and a Coca Cola. I think they meant chicken strips? regardless, they were tasty. I ate 3 of (4) them.

I could see this wedding reception being held on an adjacent rooftop. Or at least, I presumed it was a wedding reception. I left before it got filled.

On my walk home I bought more bananas and bottled water. Most of the time I can walk through these neighborhoods of abject poverty without being emotionally affected. I don't know why, but tonight was different. Instead of just feeling like I'm reading an issue of National Geographic, tonight my limbic system surprised me with newfound compassion and empathy. I am processing that now.

Tomorrow my Dallas colleague, Dr Ryan Walsh, arrives and is here for the weekend to speak at the Nepal Endodontic Association meeting this weekend.

I fly back to Dallas (USA) 5 weeks from tonight. My days here are now literally numbered.