As Adolescence kicks in....
Nepal 2015 is drawing to a close. Monsoon rains are just around the corner as the country strives to rebuild after the devastating earthquake in April. Thankfully Pokhara has escaped serious damage and for now at least, business as usual for most - but for some, the dynamic of life has changed. Hoteliers, restaurateurs, bar owners and coffee shops have all experienced a dramatic downturn in trade since the quake and there isn't any sign of an upturn late June when Lakeside should be brimming with Indian and Chinese tourists.
The dynamic of life has also changed for Amrit and his sister Anjali. More so for Amrit as adolescence gave him a rude awakening just weeks after his 12th birthday - I think its fair to say Amrit won't be singing any high notes in the foreseeable future as he starts to grow and develop. As for Anjali, it's all about boys as she grapples with those inevitable teenage growing pains. she's pretty smart though and realizes juggling education and boys probably isn't going to work, much to the relief of her parents.
(for new readers: Amrit, 12, anjali 14, are the kids of Mr and Mrs Pandey, Lakeside, whom I first met whilst eating at their restaurant back in January 2014 - http://paul-d-holmes.blogspot.co.uk/2014_01_01_archive.html read this blog post)
The best chance of escaping Nepal's poverty trap is a good education, increasing the prospects of a good career overseas. That's the philosophy installed at an early age and so Amrit and Anjali along with most of their peers are working hard to attain the best possible results - 6 days a week.
And as the sun sets across the Himalayas amidst a few tearful goodbyes - Samil, Tara, Sudip. Parvin, Bishal and Babu, the question of my return arises. I haven't committed to returning next season, conscious that my presence is sometimes a distraction. Maybe its time to move on to pastures new as it were and let these kids grow and develop within their natural habitat as it were. On the other hand, the place has that magnetic draw and I might just miss it too much - watch this space!
In the meantime, here are some photos over the last few days in Pokhara, June 2015.
Nepal 2015 is drawing to a close. Monsoon rains are just around the corner as the country strives to rebuild after the devastating earthquake in April. Thankfully Pokhara has escaped serious damage and for now at least, business as usual for most - but for some, the dynamic of life has changed. Hoteliers, restaurateurs, bar owners and coffee shops have all experienced a dramatic downturn in trade since the quake and there isn't any sign of an upturn late June when Lakeside should be brimming with Indian and Chinese tourists.
The dynamic of life has also changed for Amrit and his sister Anjali. More so for Amrit as adolescence gave him a rude awakening just weeks after his 12th birthday - I think its fair to say Amrit won't be singing any high notes in the foreseeable future as he starts to grow and develop. As for Anjali, it's all about boys as she grapples with those inevitable teenage growing pains. she's pretty smart though and realizes juggling education and boys probably isn't going to work, much to the relief of her parents.
(for new readers: Amrit, 12, anjali 14, are the kids of Mr and Mrs Pandey, Lakeside, whom I first met whilst eating at their restaurant back in January 2014 - http://paul-d-holmes.blogspot.co.uk/2014_01_01_archive.html read this blog post)
The best chance of escaping Nepal's poverty trap is a good education, increasing the prospects of a good career overseas. That's the philosophy installed at an early age and so Amrit and Anjali along with most of their peers are working hard to attain the best possible results - 6 days a week.
And as the sun sets across the Himalayas amidst a few tearful goodbyes - Samil, Tara, Sudip. Parvin, Bishal and Babu, the question of my return arises. I haven't committed to returning next season, conscious that my presence is sometimes a distraction. Maybe its time to move on to pastures new as it were and let these kids grow and develop within their natural habitat as it were. On the other hand, the place has that magnetic draw and I might just miss it too much - watch this space!
In the meantime, here are some photos over the last few days in Pokhara, June 2015.
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