The Magic of Nepal

   I really haven’t done a good job at keeping my loved ones updated in regards to what I’m doing and what has been going on in Nepal as a Peace Corps Volunteer or simply as Marvin.

   Where do I start? The last time that I updated my blog or emailed you I was reflecting on my one-year mark. I realized that time doesn’t really change a person, but the experiences that life places on one’s path. For example, I always thought that once I reached my one-year mark back in September I would come to see a different Marvin and in a way I did, but it wasn’t what I expected.  As I was writing my last blog I had a hard time forming my thoughts let alone my experiences in writing.

   However, I did come across one experience that REALLY made me reflect on the time thus far that I have spent in Nepal. It happened during Nepal’s most festive festival of Dashain back in October. We had quite a few relatives come over to our house because it was our turn to host the holiday. There was an unlimited amount of food and yummy goodies. The atmosphere reminded me of Christmas. Besides the blissful feelings around me the reason that this holiday made me put everything into perspective was due to my host mom, Putali. In Nepal when someone’s relative dies they’re not allowed to give “puja” (blessing) for one year. My host mom was under this restriction because of her mother’s death last year, however by the time that Dashain came around that one year was up.

   My time at permanent site has truly been amazing and I have my host mother to thank. This woman truly symbolizes Nepali people’s attributes of love, kindness and selflessness. She has taken it upon herself to help and guide me throughout my time in our village of Kouleni. She introduced me to everyone in my village, she always hears me out and somehow she’s great at understanding me with my novice Nepali. Now the reason that this holiday was so special was due to the fact that my host mother was able to give me “tikka” (blessing) during Dashain. I’ve been living with my host family for nearly a year and my host mom wasn’t able to give me tikka because of her mourning.

   On this special day, I was sitting down on a straw mat next to my host sisters where a procession of people were lined up getting ready to give tikka to my host sisters and I. My grandmothers splash me with the vivid red powder, then it was my my uncles and aunts' turn, then my host dad and finally my host mom. I have no idea why, but my heart was pounding as my host mom was getting the tikka ready to go. She sits in front of me, grabs the red powder and smoothest it across my forehead. During the process, she was directly looking into my eyes and saying the most wonderful things that a mother could say to a son. I was holding my tears as much as I could, I refused to let them fall, but I know for a fact that my host mom noticed. I still can’t properly describe the feelings of joy, happiness, and love that filled up my heart. Way back when I found out that I was coming to Nepal everyone insisted that Nepal had something magical about it. After a year of living in Nepal I never felt that magic until I celebrated Dashain at my permanent site. My host mom’s love exposed the magic that I was overlooking for so long. However, I can now say that I have experienced Nepal’s magic and I’m glad that I have another year to live in it.

My host mom giving me tikka for Dashain

   That was back in October and thankfully things are still wonderful to this day. Permanent site is great! I’m loving my life in Nepal and I’m at the point of my service that I feel confident and proud to call Nepal my home. I’m very comfortable in village, my Nepali has greatly improved and I feel like I’m part of the community. Yes, I’m the foreigner and that will never change, but my villagers see me beyond a foreigner or volunteer because they see me as a son.

   In regards to work, I’m very happy to say that things are popping! My youth organization (GYS) has successfully completed the youth development training that I conducted with the help of members from different organizations. It was a long 20-day training spread out between the months of September and October. The training revolved around nine different topics, hygiene, nutrition, agriculture, dental hygiene, general health, first aid, self-empowerment, AIDS/HIV and Smoking, Drugs and Alcohol. We even had a ceremony recognizing the completion of the training. In short, I am beyond proud of GYS and the work and time that they put into the training and organization itself. They truly have made my Peace Corps experience that much richer.

   Unfortunately, GYS is currently on a break because school started once again therefore I had to focus my time on something else.

   I’m very pleased to say that I’m diligently working towards making my Village Development Committee (VDC) Smokeless Free by promoting the construction of Smokeless Improved Cook Stove (ICS). My fellow PCV, Chad Chalker is working with the Tilden Project, a British organization that’s funding the construction of the ICS in his village. After learning that the Tilden Project has kindly agreed to extend its financial support for the promotion and construction of ICS to other PCVs in Nepal I jumped at the opportunity seeing how the need in my VDC for ICS is quite high. The project consist of finding three individuals who will take part in a five day training where later on they will go into their villages and build ICS for any family who needs them. The Tilden Project will provide the financial support for the stoves itself, thus it’s a great deal! I’ve arranged meetings in all nine wards of my VDC in order to pass on the word and find the three trainees. Thus far I have attended six and I have found two ladies who are very interested in participating in the training and in making it happen! I have three more meetings to attend where I plan to find the last trainee and thereafter I’ll have everything I need in order to get to get the project up and running. Wish me luck!

   Also, I’ve been on Peace Corps lockdown due Nepal’s elections that took place on November 19^th. Aside from the two bombs that blow up in my village the night before the elections, everything went smoothly. Nepal is making history and I’m lucky to see how it plays out.

   Furthermore, I’m very excited to say that I’m off on vacation next month! I’m going to…THAILAND! I’ll be away for about three weeks enjoying the sun, eating great food and having the time of my life. I’m going with two of my favorite PCVs, Alejandro and Nate. We have everything planned, hotels and flight booked and all I need is a couple of nice swim shorts. I’m definitely taking advantage of the fact that I’m in Asia and exploring other corners of the world. I hear Thailand is a tropical paradise and that is why I’m very much looking forward towards spending Christmas and New Years in a great country with great friends!

   To wrap things up, I do hope this small message gives you glimpse of what my life in Nepal is like. I try not to go into great details about my experience because I don’t want to overwhelm any one with small little things. I try to pull out the most memorable and positive aspects of my experience and share them with you.

   Well the main purpose of this message is to wish you very happy Thanksgiving! I hope you have a wonderful holiday with your loved ones. Do me a favor and please eat as much as you can. This is the holiday to give thanks for all of our blessings and that is why I am thankful to have wonderful, influential and positive individuals like yourself in my life. Thanksgiving is not celebrated in Nepal, however my Peace Crops group will be getting together in order to cook our very own Thanksgiving dinner. Enjoy your black Friday shopping and your preparations for the holiday season and spirit!

   In short, I hope all is well back in the states. I’m very sorry for my inconsistency in updating you with what is going on in Nepal, but just know that all is well. Taking it day by day and with a smile each day. Nepal has in many ways tested my nerves and will and in every test I find that my optimism always pulls me through. No matter where we are, we can never forget that optimism will always help us out in our darkest moments in life. Please take care of yourself and don’t forget to stay in touch.

With warmest wishes,

Marvin Gamez-Crespin