Quick check-in

Dearest friends,
I am in the thick of my time here in Nepal... as I've learned to get myself around the most essentials of Nepali language, and have grasped the key issues regarding peacebuilding, my conversations and relationships have been meaningfully deepening. I'm running myself quite ragged, but doing so knowing I soon face two long semesters of reading and writing in the quiet, organized setting of Brisbane. Recently, I went for a week to the far west of Nepal where I met with multiple organizations, saw bombed out buidings, internally displaced peoples camps, met with youth and childrens clubs, etc... I got back in time for a magical birthday weekend with Nepali treats and dancing with my youth action nepal colleagues and host family on Friday, followed by an escape to a farmhouse right outside Kathmandu (fresh cow milk and skipping thru the nearby community forest), followed by a trip to a gorgeous tibetan stupa...
the past two days i was part of a workshop designed to brainstorm about an upcoming series of radio shows about youth, conflict, and hiv/aids. tomorrow i will take off north towards the himalayas with my host brother who is organizing several meetings for me with maoists, etc. I will be back in Kathmandu in about five days and will get in better contact with those I've been missing. thank you for all your birthday wishes, and know you are all with my every night as i hug all of you providing support, advice, and reflection from afar. I miss and love you. Ah, and yes, I'm taking plenty of pictures that will be posted soon! connections are slow here...

Nepali Newsbites

The Nepal Youth Social Forum was a resounding success, attracting over 1300 young people together for a momentum starter among Nepali youth. Our workshop about the International Community went very well, though I was chuckling inside most of the time. After I presented my paper in English, the three comentators and public participation took off in Nepali, so as people commented frequently in my direction, and said 'Amanda' here and there, I was quite in a powerless situation to know exactly their reaction. But afterwards I was filled in fully, and responses were largely positive. One of the leading senior human rights activists was present, and he commented that this was the first time he had ever seen a conversation including both the international community and youth. We could have used a bigger room since several were deterred by the lack of sitting room. The place was alive with excitement for two days; it truly raised Nepal up a notch. I'll post up a link to pictures soon.

Meanwhile, I've been attempting to travel outside of Kathmandu for the last week, but mainly due to the imposed strikes of a Maoist splinter group, transportation has been brought to a standstill in most of the southern region. But if all goes as planned, myself and two colleagues will be moving out tomorrow and I'll be getting a complimentary glimpse to my very urban Kathmandu experience. I'll be visiting projects of Youth Action Nepal as well as Search for Common Ground.

The cold encroaches a bit more everyday, but my relationships with my new friends continually warms my heart... and prospects of a visit from mom does the same:)

Sending you all great love in '07.