At Saturday the 31th of August we received the warmest welcome by our house lord Pampa. All students; some unknown, someone I already had looked up on Facebook, and three people that I had been traveling with for the last 8 hours on the 8 hours worst bus drive in my entire life, we were suddenly all sitting at Pampa´s couch. We got served milk tea (delicious!) and a beautiful, orange scarf as a gift symbolic for her gratefulness.

After everyone had found their bedroom, we all went, 15 exited and joyful students, out to get some food. The class includes 8 Norwegian students, 6 Swedish students, and 2 local students from Pokhara University. After traveling for such a long time, it was an incredible feeling to finally be able to sit around a restaurant table, and to know that we could sit here for as long as we wanted. That there were no more flight or buses to catch, because we just had arrived the city we would stay in for the next two months.

It is difficult to describe a feeling, only by writing black letters on a white screen. I don’t think it’s possible to understand the feeling you get of arrival a completely new place, and to truly realize that you are going to live there, if you never have experienced it yourself. Because we would not only stay for a couple of days, but actually live and adapt to this new culture. We had to learn how the traffic worked, how to say hello and thank you, how to avoid paying triple the price as locals, and how to behave with the decent respect for the civilization we were going to live with for the next months. And I think we smashed it!! Saying “namaste” to everyone you meet is the perfect way to show kindness and respect. Smile while walking in the street and show interest for what the locals want to tell and show you. And after just a couple of days, our neighbors started saying “namaste” before us, and the children were already feeling comfortable to talk and playing games with us.

Phewa Lake

The first week flew away. And it is quite incredible that we actually got time to do all the things we did the first week, despite school and the need to get settled in Pokhara. I have to admit that the sunset we had the pleasure to see the first night was probably the most gorgeous and stunning view I have seen in my whole life. Pink, orange, dark blue and magical purple colors all over Phewa Lake. So, the next day, there were no doubt that we had to explore Phewa Lake. Phewa Lake is a freshwater lake in the center of the south of the Pokhara Valley. Down by the lake, there is nice places to eat and live music all night long. In the lake you can do kayaking, swimming (depends on how cautious you are when it comes to pollution) and rent a boat with a private driver who will take you to the temple Tal Barahi Temple, also known as the Barahi Temple, which is located in a small island in the middle of the lake.

Golden Buddha

Furthermore, we went to the Buddha Peace Stupa, only a 10 minutes walk away. This is the perfect place to do yoga and meditation (ask the nice yoga instructors to get a small discount if you are going to participate many of the yoga sessions. They are quite nice with discounts).

So, If you are one of the lucky once going to Nepal next year, remember “namaste”, and you will be perfectly fine!

-Mathea-