Written by India & Nepal Students, Nina Shear and Mae
What’s New?
A Girls’ Trip + Anand
This is our first official blog of our journey to Nepal and India, and we have so much to share. Our adventure began at the San Francisco airport, where we met as a group for the first time. Mae and I had already faced our first airport challenges together, nearly missing our flight and navigating security. After refueling with a huge burrito and sandwich, we were ready to meet the rest of the group. Tara, one of our guides, and Ava, our joker who always keeps us laughing, were the first to arrive. We started chatting right away, wondering what the rest of the group would be like.
Soon, everyone else joined: Sarah, with her fun and caring personality and the loudest, most contagious laugh; Iona, the sweetest person, who finds beauty everywhere we go; Steph, the outgoing and always action-ready member with plenty of stories; and Nora, whose expressive reactions and facial expressions guarantee there’s never a dull moment. We instantly connected, talking about our favorite sports, siblings, and our excitement for the trip—especially the layover in Singapore!
Top Three Highlights of the Week:
Exploring the Singapore Changi Airport: The 14-hour flight went relatively fast, and we all had the energy to explore the airport. The airport was so fancy and big. I still don’t know how many floors it had. We had 12 hours to explore and also go outside. Some of us went to explore the cloud forest—yes, a cloud forest inside an airport—and a waterfall! While I (Nina) slept in the airport’s sleeping area, some drank their first of many coffees for the day. At around 12:30, we left the airport and took several trains to the city. We walked and saw cool buildings and sights. This walk turned into a hike, although we weren’t able to go on our city tour, which was our original plan. It was fun to walk around the crazy parks and the food and bay area of the city. We ended our city hike by eating some very delicious Singaporean traditional ice cream while we sat and said hi to the boats passing by.
During our 7 hours in the airport, we were not able to go on the slide or canopy because you had to pay to go in! We are all very concerned about this. But we did find the best food court ever, had multiple delicious meals and became experts at walking around the waterfall and hundreds of stores.
Kathmandu & the Stupa: We spent our first days in the center of Kathmandu, just a minute’s walk from the Budanath Stupa, “the Luck Temple,” one of the most important temples for Buddhists. I remember the first day when, after having our first masala tea, we went to see the Stupa for the first time. I was astonished. It was so beautiful. The Stupa, the other temples surrounding it, the smell of incense in the air, the hundreds of pigeons flying around, motorcycles everywhere, and people chanting made it feel like I was in a magical place. It was so cool to see all the different people walking around the Stupa, and we later learned that this was done as a way of meditation and chanting. Our first lunch in Kathmandu was also something I must write about. Everything was so delicious, with all the flavors so new to me. During that lunch, we also had our first lassis (a Nepalese drink made from yogurt and sometimes fruit), which has become our group’s favorite drink at any time. So far, we’ve tried watermelon, banana, plain, and sweet lassi—can’t wait to try more!
Later that day, we went on our first scavenger hunt, where we had different missions around town. We had to eat somewhere with a view of the Stupa, talk with someone and ask them about their favorite festival and about the Stupa and Buddhism (I think this one was the hardest task), buy some postcards to send to you, reader, and write a poem inspired by what we heard, smelled, tasted, and saw. We all enjoyed our scavenger hunt so much! The exploring and walking around made us very happy, and we had an awesome time talking and laughing about our tourist experiences during dinner.
We spent 4 nights in Kathmandu. Every day we explored temples, new food, music, and traditions. It took us a while to get used to the new schedule and heat, but after our first three days there, we felt like we had been here for a month and were so excited for our next destination.
Ashram Life: On the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal sits the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Up in the mountains, surrounded by fresh air and a lively community, it’s clear that the Ashram is a place of great peace and love. This week, we students immersed ourselves in the lives of those who reside here. It was a big change from the streets of Kathmandu, and the slow pace and rainy days became a part of our routine. We prepared for the silent dinners that weren’t so silent after all. We practiced our flow with morning yoga and enjoyed the view of the mountains from the roof. We enjoyed the company of others, whether they were kids, teachers, Ayurveda doctors, or gurus.
After settling in on that first day, I (Mae), along with Ava, Nora, and Nina, were drawn to the football field where some of the older kids were playing. I was immediately impressed by the footwork and skill that had obviously been built over years of practice. I wondered if the kids had taught themselves, how long they had been here, and if they ever wanted to pursue something related to the sport, as they were all so immersed in it. Getting to play with them and be a part of a small team meant so much to me, and I was surprised by their quick inclusion of us, despite our varying levels of skill. I left the field feeling energized and better acquainted with the community of kids my age, all while being filled with a sense of hope for connection and faith in the community.
For my personal development, I chose classical dancing, which to me involves slow music and complicated steps. However, I was pleasantly surprised when I walked in to find upbeat, rhythmic music and a teacher who was passionate and knowledgeable about the dances we would learn. The patience she showed us and the enthusiasm she brought shone through, creating a comfortable environment where we could dance freely and learn creatively. Kids filtered in and out of the dance room, observing us with kindness and humor, and at one point, they joined us. We circled up and let them guide us, creating a deeper bond with the community and a core memory for me.
Finally, at the end of the day, when everyone is settling down, kids and adults alike gather for meditation, chanting, and movies. Watching the way people interact with each other, and how deeply they rely on one another, was something I feel has been lost in the States. Here, people live together, and the hyper-independent mindset I’m used to is almost nonexistent.
Challenges This Week:
With every high comes a low, and this week was no exception. We faced heavy rain for two days straight with no clear idea of when it would end. Our pants got a little damp during walks from the guest house to the dining hall, and we experienced a few brief power outages. Drying laundry took longer than usual due to the weather, but we all found ways to make the best of it. Despite the rain, we persevered and had fun, growing closer through the experience. In the end, we were rewarded with a stunning view of the mountains, sunshine, and freshly dried clothes!
Growth and Gratitude:
During our first week here in Nepal, we have all broadened our perspectives on the world, beliefs, and ways of doing things. Realizing how different this place is from the States has given all of us a new outlook. We learned how Buddhism and Hinduism are considered more of a lifestyle than a religion. We learned about the importance of traditional art and dance. We also learned about the culture of fatalism, where everything is meant to be. People don’t judge or criticize because everything is how it should be. This has made us all more conscious and grateful for life.
