I've arrived safely, thank God. The flight was smooth running all the way. Reached Nepal at about 4.30 pm Malaysian time, which will be about 2.15 pm Nepali time ( = Malaysian time minus 2 hours 15 minutes ). 

Settled in quite well. We're booked at the United Missions to Nepal Guesthouse in Pucho Niwas, which is just 20 minutes walk from the capital of Kathmandu. Great rooms and bathroom, and food. All for just RM 12 per day. Where can you find such bargain in Malaysia? Many UMN missionaries make this guesthouse their transit point, when they travel or attend meetings in Kathmandu. So at dinner time, there are lots of stories to listen... some are really exciting and challenging stories of how God is working in Nepal. The orang putih are very good indeed in story telling. 

The weather in Nepal is cold and sunny, and windy at times. It's like everywhere you go, there's free air-con. Don't even need the fan at night. But air pollution is really bad here, because the weather is dry, and dust get into the air very easily. Plus, there are lots of smoke-emitting vehicles around. In the morning, the streets in Nepal look like a bad haze day in Malaysia. Nevertheless, I enjoy the cold weather very much. 

Meals are really cheap here. Yesterday, I got a plate of fried spicy buff, plus a bowl of mee soup, plus a drink, and it's only RM 3.50. Food in the hospital is even cheaper. The other day, myself and Edwin, we had lunch of a dhaal bhaat (huge plate of rice with dhal soup, vege and potato curry), a plate of buff curry, a roti bawang, yoghurt... cost only RM 2.50 for everything !! Am now trying out a new food everyday. See if I can finish all the variety of food Nepal has to offer by the time I come back. Let me give you some example of food cost... a glass of teh susu cost RM 0.30, a big plate of dhaal bhaat enough for 2 people cost RM 1.00, a plate of buff curry cost RM 0.70... Nepalis can really eat a lot. Their ladies eat in one meal the amount of rice I would eat in two meals. 

Have now started work with Patan Hospital already. It's 20 minutes away from where I live. It's a very busy hospital with 251 beds. I am now attached with Obs and Gynae department. Today we had a full day of clinic, and I got to see lots of gynae cases e.g. prolapese vagina, menstrual problems, infertility, pregnancy and stuffs. Am getting friendly with the local staffs, who are very helpful indeed. Am picking up some Nepali words as well. Was in the Operation Room whole yesterday, where I got to see Caesarian Sections, D&C, and etc. Things are really basic in this hospital. Many items are recycled, e.g. gloves, face masks, caps... unlike the disposable things we have in Malaysia. 

Do you know, that ppl here marry really young? By 24 or 25, many would have already 3-5 pregnancies, and have their tubes ligated. Some marry as early as 13 years old !! Nepali girls are quite pretty, you know. The problem is, they age very fast. Many still look young and pretty up to age 20, after that... This morning, I thought this 30-year-old lady was 50 years old ! Hmm... maybe life is really rugged over here, or maybe they don't spend much on cosmetics and skin care... what a pity. 

People here are very nice. Most are friendly, and when I walk around in the hospital, many would greet me with clasped hands of 'Namaste'. (Or maybe they thought I am one of the doctors there). Nepali people are simple people, who treat people genuinely. But, as Asians, many are shy too. 

How do Nepali look like? Well, it's hard to generalise. Some look like Banglas, some look like Hindi stars, some look like those fair Bangalis...  those from Tibet look like Chinese... By the way, some ppl said that I look a bit like Nepali too, that's why they didn't charge me for entering one of the tourist spots yesterday. Generally you won't find fat and obese ppl here; many are fit and stout. 

I'll be sending you some postcards of places near where I stay. There's a popular tourist spot called Patan Durbar, with many beautiful Hindu temples, just 10 minutes walk away from where I stay. Anyway,everywhere you go, you'll see mini Hindu god images and mini temples. 

Will be doing a bit of local travelling this weekend.  Next week I'll be starting with Surgery, followed by 2 weeks in Medicine. Then will go off for mountain trekking. 

Will be visiting some Nepali churches too. Heard that the gospel is spreading like wildfire in Nepal despite all the persecutions. There's a church in Kathmandu with a congregation of 2000 per session ! Also, heard of stories of 150 conversions within 3 weeks, from some UMN missionaries. And yet 10 years ago, sharing the gospel was so restricted. One of my Nepali friends in INF (International Nepali Fellowship) was in police custody for 5 days, for the offence of distributing gospel tracts. Looks like the persecution have stirred up the hearts of many genuine believers, who really carry their cross each day, sharing love and the good news. Have lots to learn from them. 

That's all for now. Hope to hear from you guys. 

Namaste ! 

Cheers, 

Michael
Count your blessings !