thinking...

I just finished reading The Poisonwood Bible. One of those books I bought at least three years ago, tried to read countless times, and gave up...then I put it in a bag, brought it on three planes, and it landed in my hands in Nepal. It has become one of those books that will not leave my head, and I find myself walking around recounting passages as if it were part of my own history. Basically, if you have not read it yet...you must. Brilliant writing.

Aside from having my head in a book for most hours of the day, my feet are also carrying me along winding roads in Kathmandu. This is a much easier task when you are unemployed and alone in a foreign country thousands of miles from home. I jump from cafes, to restaurants, to shops, to bars and I spend hours upon hours walking, and walking: discovering the hidden stupas in dark corners, brightly robed holy Sadhu men; sitting aside shiny bowls fingers adorned with jewels; babies in bonnets toddling on cobblestones; monkeys being monkeys, flirting with traffic and anything with a scent; and most of all I have discovered the ease at which I am able to roam around Nepal. Free from staring hollering men (for the most part, although someone did punch my boob yesterday, ha) free from lumbering cows at every turn of the corner, and free from the hot, sweaty, sticky, humid heat of India. This may be why I am beginning to love this country. I am free to roam, and no one bothers me! As much as I never will ever be anything but a foreigner in this country, or anywhere I wind up, this is the closest I have ever felt to just being another person walking. A pedestrian, a woman, a nomad. Not a white skinned tourist who stands out as if there were a bright spotlight chasing me around.

Nepal is turning colder with every day. I bought a yak wool shawl the other day which I wear proudly, wrapping my shoulders in it's woolly embrace. I never thought I would say that, believe me. BUT, through all the cynicism you may have caught onto from India, I am excited to be back there in the big old mess of things in a few weeks. I will be meeting up with a friend in Delhi, and a few other wandering travelers like me, to cruise to the magical cities of Rajasthan, eat curries until our bellies pop, and sit once again under a scorching Indian sun..possibly on the back of a Camel in the desert.

This is my life these days. What can I say?