A Long way from Yonge and St. Clair.

So we have taken on some work here finally and we are starting to find our groove. Nepal is very different to Canada. As Peter always says to us when we're travelling together: "Long way from Yonge and St. Clair eh guys?"

The public school system here is pretty discouraging, especially at Bhanu school (the high school). We are teaching english classes there to grade 6 and 7, however our original schedule of teaching 12 classes a week has so far only been 6 classes a week, because of bad communication, weird exam schedules, and a principal who doesn't seem to care much about his students. We have yet to teach class 6a, however 6b and class 7 both have about 50+ students...and apparently if everyone showed up we'd have up to 80 or 90 students. They are very well bnehaved though. Children here in general are amazing. They are almost all very well mannered and calm, and it is very different to teaching in Honduras. It's also nice because Remy and I are team teaching at Bhanu, and that is going very well...that way if our lesson plan just isn't working, or we make a mistake while writing on the board, we can laugh at each other for it.

Teaching at Dil school has been great! I'm teaching the grade 3 class there! It's really exciting to have the same age group as before, although their english level is less than that of the grade 1's in Honduras. It's very challenging, but I have been made to feel a lot more appreciated at Dil school. The Nepali grade 3 teacher told me (in broken English), that the grade 3's have given me a Nepali name; "Dipak". She seemed really excited about it, but I still haven't figured out what it means. Judging by her reaction, I think it's a compliment (fingers crossed).

Before school (8-9 am) and after school (4:30 - 6 pm) we also help at one of the village learning centres - teaching english lessons to students from grade 6-9, and helping them with English and Math homework. (although Remy and I both struggle with the grade 8 and 9 math! hahaha...I know...we're pathetic!).

So ya...We're more settled in now, trying to pick up some Nepali (getting slightly better), and enjoying our lentils/rice/veggies (Dhal Bat) twice a day. We also got a chance to hang out in Pokhara last weekend with Peter and friends, and I've started helping Lee (one of the volunteers here) with doing some sports with some of the village boys. You guessed it...Ultimate frisbee. Aw yeye.

Peace.