Plans are all made, packing has started, nearing the final countdown. So, just when you think all is good to go... life has a way of saying wait a minute, I have a different plan for you.
First up was on Tuesday, I had an email from Korean Airlines. My flight from Kathmandu to South Korea was rescheduled from the Saturday to the Friday (day before). Korean air only flies between the two cities a few days a week and they are changing the days. Luckily I have plenty of spare days in Kathmandu that this probably worked out better as I will enjoy the extra day in Seoul. I just needed to add an earlier arrival day at my lodging in Seoul. No problems there so it was nothing stressful.
Wednesday though came the bad news. I had an email from the volunteer organization that I would be working with. The monastery in Salleri was going to be closed for most of the time I was scheduled to be there. The monks are all headed to a different monastery for a prayer retreat. I would have to teach at another location. Unfortunately they have nothing else in the mountains. There are two monasteries just outside of Kathmandu and one in Pokhara. One of the monasteries near Nepal is a nunnery. So I have spent my days trying to research these places and trying to communicate via email (difficult with the 11 hour time difference). I am waiting on a reply from my recent email before I make a final decision. What we are planning is splitting the assignment between half at the Monastery in Pokhara and the other half near Kathmandu. Since I will be in Pokhara I plan on hiking the Poon Hill Trek and going to Chitwan during the Dashain Festival in October. I would then return to Kathmandu to teach and then trek to EBC in November which I preferred over the October dates I was going to do.
All three of these monsteries are much larger than the one in Salleri and are in more heavily populated areas. They are also in milder climates at lower elevations. This has me changing my packing list to include a selection of lighter weight clothing. I am taking a positive view of this though as it will mean I will have better cell phone and internet access. I will also be able to withdraw money at ATM's that actually work (they rarely work in Salleri). Pokhara has a lot of activities as it is a tourist hub. I hope maybe to go on a zip-line while there. and of course boating on the beautiful lake that city borders.
I am of course disappointed that I will not be in Salleri. It was one of the reasons I chose this organization. They have been very apologetic and are doing their best to place me in a peaceful setting that will be a meaningful experience for myself and my students. Right now I am leaning towards the Nunnery near Kathmandu as I watched a YouTube video about it. It did look very peaceful and is a beautiful monastery.
Workouts have been pretty much focused on maintenance again. I am wearing the weighted vest every day now. I do need to get my stair-steps count up from the 1000 steps I am currently doing. Time is running out so I really need to start pushing myself.
