Bandha

Let me tell you something I am not thankful for:

Along with electricity, water, and petrol problems in Nepal, the other inconvenience is bandhas (strikes). Nepal is the only country I know that has a strike a week. They will strike about anything from an accidental spill of coffee on a police officer to the cost of transportation.

The strikes occur in various areas throughout Kathmandu and the idea is to wreak havoc by setting fires and throwing stones. Whenever we hear there is a bandha we typically stay home. It always feels like house arrest; and yet, there are times that it seems so serendipitous it is actually fun.

However, yesterday was not one of those times. The worst situation is when you are not home and a bandha breaks out. Yesterday (Thanksgiving) I took the kids and my didi to the biggest grocery store in Nepal. We needed to pick up a few things for our Thanksgiving celebration, which was to be held the following day. The shopping was uneventful but the drive home was not. As we were about to make our 45 minute drive home we found obstacles at every turn.

Apparently, two young boys went missing in October and yesterday they were found dead with their skulls cracked. Instead of trying to investigate what really happened, a select number of people decided to have a bandha. It was unfortunate for us because the two boys were from our same neighbourhood. Therefore, it was the most dangerous area to enter. It was impossible to make it home. We went through narrow corridors, severely cracked dirt roads and even went through some of the old, preserved towns dotted with tourists. Every road that seemed to bring us home had a police officer there ready to turn us away.

Our 45 minute drive ended up being 3 hours. We considered going back to Axel's office and staying there until the bandha calmed down, but just as we considered this option, we finally found our way to a road that eventually lead us home.

In fact, on Axel's way home from work that night he was on his motorcycle and ended up a lot closer to the bandha than we did. When he got closer to the conflict, some of the bandha participants turned off his motorcycle and told him to get the hell out of there. As Axel was driving away, heavy stones were being thrown at him.

Sadly, none of this is unusual. Lately we have been experiencing one bandha a week. It makes it really difficult to plan things and the school frequently shuts down (thank goodness for homeschool) . In fact, when serious bandhas happen, the entire city shuts down. All the streets are empty and you can only see smoke clouds in the sky. Yesterday the bandha participants took over a city bus and torched it. This is pretty typical.

I wish the Nepali people could find better things to do with their time. But in the meanwhile, when I hear of a bandha, we will be sitting tight at home, enjoying the family time.

I suppose that is something I am thankful for.

Thanksgiving

Even though the kids get the day off school, it is business as usual in Nepal. Axel is at work until late and there will be no turkey consumption today. But, thanks to this wonderful blogger, we were still able to feel the Thanksgiving spirit in our home.

We are thankful for Amy, who gave us the idea; we are thankful for Grandma Moore for sending us the felt from America to make it possible; and we are thankful for the blog to send love to our family and friends on Thanksgiving day!

Happy High Calorie Intake Day!!!!

Nepali Wedding

The blushing bride

It is wedding season in Nepal and Axel and I went to another wedding last night. My didis insisted that I wear a sari, so I obliged. There are so many rules to the sari. You have to have certain shoes, jewellery, makeup, etc. If I didn't have my maids dress me, I would surely be an embarrassment. I suppose it was embarrassing enough that people saw me wearing the same sari twice. The Nepalese people are not particular about much, but saris and gold are two things they will critique. Therefore, Axel insisted that I buy another sari soon so I don't get stuck going to another function in the same sari. Oh, the shame!

Axel greeting the bride's family

The Nepalese people LOVE taking photos. They will jump into anyone's photo, and they will take pictures of you whether you like it or not. When going to parties like this, you must have a permagrin on your face at all times. You never know when you are going to see a flash. It is usually when I am eating like a cow or scolding my children.

The bride's family insisted that Axel and I sit at the front with the bride.

Looks like it is time to get more sun

The cutest Nepali outfit ever!

A beautiful celebration!

We never did see the groom. I am not even sure if he was there. But from the look on the bride's face, it looked to me like a 'love marriage'.

Yeah for love!

Electricity or lack there of

We have lately been without electricity for 14 hours a day. This is during the awake hours, which means we have a very small window of time when we actually do have electricity. How does one live without electricity? This was something I wondered when I found out I was moving to Nepal and would be living without electricity on a daily basis.

It is funny how easily we have adjusted to this new way of living. We play a lot of games as a family, and we do a lot of reading. Our refrigerators stay closed and we just hope things don't spoil. The kids play outside a lot during the day and Axel takes advantage of the daylight so he can do his carving. It is odd how life has become more fulfilling without electricity. The creative juices just start flowing.

Every time the electricity comes back on, Sedona does a little jig and sings, 'lectriciteee, lectriciteee!!!' It almost makes not having electricity worth it.

Mormon Nepali Wedding

We had the honour of attending a Mormon Nepali wedding. It was the first Mormon wedding ever held in Kathmandu. Most weddings in Nepal are arranged. I am not sure if this was an arranged marriage or a 'love marriage' (as they like to call it). It is not really one of those things you feel comfortable asking in the reception line, "So....do you two actually like each other???"

Getting ready in the nursery room

All in white, which is not traditionally Nepali. Women typically wear red and green at their marriage ceremony.

Maid of Honour

It was also interesting to see two people just get married and both of them were too shy to kiss each other in public. It is the second time I have witnessed this in an overseas wedding. Even with a ton of prodding and encouragement, they were not going to display any affection. If only Americans were so modest.

We sang 'Love at Home' before the ceremony began

Walking down the aisle with her father. Her father was one of the first Nepalese members. He was also the first Branch President in Kathmandu.

The ceremony was lovely and our bishop did a great job of talking about the gospel during the ring exchange.

G.C. and Pratima exchanging rings

Hopefully, one day, they will make it to the Hong Kong temple to seal the deal forever.

Congrats G.C. and Pratima!

Swinging

During festival time there is a special treat for the children in Nepal. The bamboo swing can be spotted everywhere with a long line of kids awaiting their turn. We were lucky to find one in a small mountain village without a line.

Xay won the prize for going the highest.

This kid didn't.

A Worthy Cause

Ever since I found out we were moving to Nepal, I was so excited to do some humanitarian work. Dubai was so full of wealth, there was little opportunity to really make a difference. I knew Nepal would be different.

After months of searching for the right option, I contacted a humanitarian organization just down the road. They assist with children who have been put on the streets, sexually exploited or used for child labour. It is a worthy cause and I am so happy to be part of it.

My first project has been to work with this young girl who is from the squatter area. She has been working with this organization for 5 years now doing research and assisting for no pay. She has been chosen to represent Nepal at a world convention to help stop the sexual exploitation of children.

My main job was to discuss the many stories she would have to share with others at the convention. It was a difficult task and it really opened my eyes. I had to stop sharing the stories with Axel as it freaked him out even more having young children overseas.

I spent at least two hours a day with Sabina before she left. At this moment, she is now on a plane headed for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She had never been on a plane or ever really outside of Kathmandu. To say the least, this will be a life changing experience for her. I am so excited to get the report when she returns.

In the meanwhile, I will be visiting the various homes where these women and children will be housed. I will be working with women to help educate them and assist them with marketing their handicrafts. The goal of the organization is to save these people from their circumstances, counsel them, empower them with a skill, and have them help others.

It is awesome and I am so excited to be part of it.

Woodcarving Part II

This is Axel. I have finished another three wood carvings. Well, not 100% finished. I still have a few things to do on them but what the heck, I thought I would post them.

First is the Celtic Dragon. I already posted some pictures of this one, but now it is stained and I added the runic writing on the outside. Here it is stained:

On the sides I put our family's names in Runic alphabet.

You can see the top is John Ax el Bromley, the right side says Heavah Saxon Sedona Yael, bottom Terah Reu Bromley and left side says Xavier Connell Asa Frdrk.

Then sticking with the Celtic design I wanted to do one that was the Tree of Life. I also wanted to incorporate the Jewish Kabala Tree of Life. It is composed of a female and male side with different things. (IE, the female side is Wisdom, the Male is Intelligence and when they are together they are Knowledge - True on all accounts).

Here is mine. I still have to carve in the Hebrew in the circles and the fire on the flaming swords of Cheribum aren't done yet either, but you get the picture:

A shot of the top and bottom. You can see I tried to get the Ankh in there too. It is also the symbol in Egypt of life:

Then since I did one of the Tree of Life I thought I would do one of the Tree of Good and Evil. I still haven't finished the leaves on the top, but it is mostly done.

The top has 9 fruits. Or 3x3 to symbolize the Godhead. I am going to put in Elohim on three, Jehovah on three and Holy Spirit on three.

Then of course the Serpent. You can see how deep this one is. It was a pain in the butt to do. I think I am only going to do shallow ones from now on. This one took three times as long to do.

On the bottom I did the Ying and Yan to symbolize that Good cannot exist without Evil and viceversa.

Also if you look the roots are the Jewish star of David. A triangle pointing down (representing Eve, or the female reproduction power) and a triangle pointing up (Adam - male reproductive power). With the serpent/Satan intertwined with them both as they chose to follow him first, not God.

Anyways I don't know if I am going to stain this one or paint it.

Lastly is the sarcophagus lid to Pacal Votan found in Palenque.

Here is what it looks like for real:

It was long said that the pyramids in Mexico were NOT the same as the ones in Egypt because the ones in Egypt were for burial and the ones in Mexico were for other religious rites. UNTIL this pyramid was found and it was proven that they also were for burial. Here is the pyramid:

Anyways, here is mine. I simplified it as you can see. Hey, I am still learning....

The top of the tree/cross you will see a bird (Quezltcotal or the White Bearded God - Jesus). Some flying angels nearby.

Then the Tree of Life, with a Cross clearly in it, then Pacal Votan himself in supplication.

and finally a monster of the underworld below him.

It was a hard one to to as it is twice as long as the other two. But it was fun. The whole thing is VERY Book of Mormon. A good one to have in the house.

Anyways, this one I am going to paint in Mayan/Olmec colors. I don't know how it will turn out. I like the Aztec pictures. I think I will do a few more of them. I want to do one just of Queztlcotal as the feather serpent. Then maybe one of a Mayan warrior. And put up 'In defence of our lands...'

But it might take a while. Now the sun comes up at 730 and it is really too cold to do it outside and load share is every night, so no electricity to do it inside. I think I am done for the winter. I will start up again when the sun comes out again. Plus I want to go to Thailand to get some good chisels. The ones I have now are not that good. The Thai are the masters of wood carving. I mean how do they do this???

I have a ways to go.... Maybe one day we will be stationed in Thailand and I will get a chance to learn from the masters.

Dubai Mall

It was pretty fun to be a tourist in Dubai. I realized I had no photos of the Dubai wonders while I lived here. It was mostly of my kids, me in the hospital having babies, or Axel and the fish he caught. We finally got to know what it felt like to stand in taxi lines, take pictures in front of everything, and limit our spending because of luggage restrictions.

One of the most impressive visits we made was to the new Dubai Mall. It is the largest mall in the world and it is located right beside the tallest building in the world.

The Burj

In front of the Dubai Mall

As soon as you walk into the Dubai Mall you can't miss the world's largest Aquarium. It is insane. The ambiance and fish are incredible.

There is also a tunnel you can go through to see the fish even closer.

The Hammour was gigantic. Axel would die to spearfish this guy. We lived off of Hammour while we lived in Dubai. Axel spearfished every weekend all in the name of 'providing for the family'. I don't know who he was kidding. It was just another hobby that he loved to do and it ended up being therapy for him. It took him from the quick pace of the Dubai work week and into a whole different world. And truthfully, in many ways, I do miss our family fish meals.

Axel's dream job

Outside of the aquarium, the Dubai Mall also has a elaborate waterworld attraction. They have every sealife creature you can imagine. In a MALL!

Crab legs, anyone?

In addition to the water themed attractions, they have a huge skating rink. Even for a Canadian, it was quite impressive.

The entire time we lived in Dubai, Axel always complained they didn't have a Taco Bell. It seems they carry most other chains, Krispy Kreame, Panda Express, Cold Stone, etc. You name it, they have it. EXCEPT Taco Bell. Well, the time has come! They have a Taco Bell and Axel and I ate two beef tacos and we experienced a little piece of home.

We didn't stop with that either. A burger and fries also cured us of any homesickness as well.

It was a shame that we spent most of our hunger on generic American food cause there were so many quaint cafes and restaurants. I wanted to try them all!

The other thing worth noting is--what else--the shopping! My brain was on overload. So many shops, so little time. We raced through most of the 12 million square feet and targeted only a few stores. I was disappointed they hadn't opened the Crate and Barrel quite yet. You have no idea how exciting it is to have a C & B about to open! It is a style of furniture that hasn't quite made it to the Middle East so it was super exciting.

They had a ton of high end stores that you can't even enter without a check to see if you look wealthy enough.

Like this store:

However, we were accepted to enter this store and drop a few bucks:

The Nepali Santa asked us to pick up a few things for the kids for Christmas. It is slim pick'ns in Nepal. However, it was a little painful to spend 50 bucks on a small piece of plastic. Seriously, could toys be any more expensive in Dubai????

We also went to Carrefore (which wasn't actually in the Dubai Mall. Instead, it was at the Emirates Mall -- the Ski Dubai Mall). Carrefore is like Walmart on steroids. It compensates a little for the lack of my favourite US store.

The whole visit felt like Thanksgiving. A shopping GORGE. I don't think I shopped harder or faster in all my life.

I was happy to return to Nepal... and so was my bank account.