Phewa Lake, Pokhara, NepalSorry. Blogging doesn’t seem to be our strong suit. We regret having not made an entry until now.
But here we are in Pokhara Nepal, a 7 to 12 hour bus ride from Kathmandu with the Himalayas soaring unbelievably in the horizon, taking the first day of a planned three-day respite. The wisdom of our initial plan of a three-to-four-day trek during this time has been called into question. The actor did two shows yesterday and finds himself weary after the ascent of the three flights of stairs to his room in The Tibet Home Hotel.
View of Himalayan Annapurna range from all around PokharaWhen we now hear the phrases “No problem,” “Sure, why not?” or “It’s all arranged” we either flinch, duck or burst out laughing. The direct results of these assurances have resulted in the following:
Being left in the middle of a dirt field in Pokhara (a.k.a. the bus depot) under a hot mid-day sun after a “5 hour bus ride” (read 8 hour endurance test) surrounded by taxi drivers and hotel employees all offering their services using all kinds of creative elaborations of the three dreaded phrases as we wait to be met by the friend of our host who had arranged everything no problem.
The bus depot at PokharaStanding, several hours later outside the “hostel” where we were to be met by the mysterious friend of our host who had not showed up, had not mentioned anything of our arrival to the only person at the hostel (a woman who seemed to be the house-keeper who knew as much as we did, which at that point was nothing at all) and was now not answering his cell phone.
Sitting, several hours later with the Director of a school for 1600 girls and boys in his office with the vice-principal and another man who appeared to be 2nd in command being asked the question, “Who are you and why are you here?”
Upon understanding that we were offering free performances of an award-winning play from Canada, listening to the Director begin making arrangements for a performance that evening and three the next day. The story of finding suitable accommodation for the night goes on from there at length, but suffice it to say I think to everyone’s credit we arrived at a workable solution.
The next day found the performer facing a field of some of the most beautiful children he had ever seen sitting in brilliant soft sunlight with two jagged, snow-covered Himalayan peaks behind them – definitely the play’s most spectacular venue to date, bar none.
School Kids at Kumudini School of Pokhara, Nepal … though let me ( Robert) quickly say that in some ways it has been a very good thing to have been so consistently disconnected from all things computer and internet based. To break with the ongoing daily habitual checking of correspondence through email etc. has been liberating, simplifying and somehow just plain good it seems, leaving us more committed to the moment… and we have been living rich moments, for the most part computer free.
(That said, I did find it wonderful and amazing and moving to be able to walk around the Moradokmai Theatre Community in Thailand a few weeks ago, conversing with Susie and Clare in Toronto through Anahita’s laptop, which was held open in front of me as I walked so they could see the ponds, dwellings, children and some of the people of whom we were speaking… all free, through Skype I believe, and obviously a wonderful use of the technology. (Wi Fi has not been so easily accessible in Nepal.)
Moradokmai Theatre School in Patumtani, Thailand
Moradokmai Theatre School in Patumtani, Thailand