Spent the day organising my trip to Lumbini. Raju helped me organise my bus ticket. It’s about an 8-hour journey.
Went for a coffee at a place on the edge of Thamel and while walking there, a strong wind came up out of nowhere. The dust was blinding and shop owners scurried to get their displays and advertising boards inside. Then there was some rain. I find out latter that this wind did a lot of damage around the city. Trees were uprooted and people injured. And the poor people living in tents and tin sheds suffered badly too. What a bizarre thing. Rachit lives in one of these tin shacks with his brother and 11-year old nephew. Rachit is studying dentistry and is doing well. His mother died 10 years ago and his father spends most of his time back in the village. The boys fend for themselves somehow. The storm blew their little place apart, wetting everything. Only the young nephew was home at the time and he was highly distressed. His currently doing end-of -year exams so doesn’t need this distraction. Life is so tough here.
angusmccoll 