May 28, short note

Cold lattee, banana muffin coming, sun going down .. budhanath square.... aftermath of huge Buddah birthday last night at this largest stupa in Asia. You know at least 85% of peoples here are immersed in the Tibetan Buddhist cum Hindu culture here. Faith is big time here. Sounds and lights below. Surrounded by second hand books in this coffee place called Saturdays, owned by a Canadian woman. This afternoon had the most wonderful massage; special deal ... brown mud all over bod (coffee grinds, milk and rice powders and honey), and facial, mask, the lot. Body feels like a baby's bottom! Picked up a tailored beautiful 3 piece yarka (sp?) for $3.00. Now have three Nepalese outfits.

Am following up with some sponsorship ideas for professional training/ work for teenagers leaving Child Haven. If anyone has any ideas please e-mail me. We have quite a few very keen and bright teenagers finishing school/ college and there is a terrible shortage of jobs here ...

Classes with kids, Didis and staff are all going very well. Carole, the other volunteer, is leaving to return for Canada this coming Wednesday. I am organizing a farewell dinner for her with her grade 10 and 11 teenagers who will miss her terribly. I went swimming with them the other day. I will probably follow up with this teenage activity on Wednesdays. They just love it.

I am taking a ten day retreat (June 2-12) at the famous Kopan Monastry and am very excited! It is up the hill from Child Haven.

The electricity is out and I have very little battery.

Hugs to all,

Dyane