See the Mountains Everyday

"When you arise in the morning, think what a privilege it is to be alive;
to breath, to think, to enjoy, to love."

- Marcus Aureliuos

One of the most enjoyable parts of my last few months here has been my commitment to truly enjoying Nepal's natural beauty each and everyday, whether via a quick visit to the rooftop at sunset, or an evening expedition with Sachina, Samitra, and Pabitra following close behind. My new mantra? - See the mountains everyday. This really only involves walking 50 feet away up from my house or down from the school. A very easy way to take a breath, and fill myself again with the joy of being alive.

Often times, these expeditions to see the mountains turn into longer walks, weaving along dirt and rocky paths with Sachina. Once we reach the fields, where several small trails dance in and out of rice patties and mustard flower fields, we simply just head towards the mountains.

As we pass by the mud houses and farmers herding their livestock, kind-loving neighbors will always ask where we are headed. "Goomna," I'll tell them, meaning a "trip" in Nepali, sometimes with no particular destination. By now they'll smile and nod, having gotten used to my common response: "We are going to see the mountains."

On our evening walks

My lovely Bahini

(Note* never tell a five-year-old you are going to reach the top of the mountains' snowy peaks and return all in one day unless you really mean it. Jokes are not always taken well by five-year-olds.)