Biratnagar

Anusha and I have spent the past 3 weeks in Biratnagar at Anuraj's parents home. Anuraj was here with us the first week, we were on our own the second week, and this week and next week we're all here together. Tomorrow we head to Ilam, famous for it's tea, for a 3 day mini-holiday. We'll return in time to finish cleaning the house for Diwali, which is next Tuesday. Speaking of house cleaning, we've been tearing this place apart. I'm the "cleaning consultant" -- and with the help of my partner, Raj, we've been making sure this entire place is cleaned from top to bottom. (Anuraj and his parents have been building a house...they've been so busy building that they've neglected to clean.) Since this is my forte, I've been enjoying doing it and seeing other people do it too. Anuraj and I worked on the car yesterday and today to get ready for our trip.

Anusha is thoroughly enjoying her time here -- playing with Laxmi and Lucky -- the 4 and 2 year old children of the couple who live here and help out Anuraj's parents. They play out in the yard, pester the cows and goat, and play in buckets of water. Anusha and Laxmi get along great, Lucky on the other hand has become the source of her bullying. I didn't know she had it in her. But we're seeing the best and worst of her social interactions!!

So, pictures to be posted when we return to Kathmandu in a week and a half. Until then, Happy Diwali (or Dipawali as they say here in Nepal).

2nd set of photos

Here is the link to a 2nd set of photos.

http://picasaweb.google.com/JillLandisJha/AnushaSept08?authkey=7pTBQA82spQ#

Anusha, Anuraj's dad and I will travel to Biratnagar tomorrow for Dessera (or Dushain). We'll be there for 1 week and are trying to secure tickets to come back for a week before going back there for Diwali for 2 weeks. This will be our first Dessera and Diwali in Nepal, and Anuraj's first time celebrating after 3 years of being in the U.S. He is especially excited.