As usual we had new experiences this week. We are constantly amazed at the unique approach to things here in Nepal. Having never applied for any type of US visa I don’t really know the process, but getting a non-tourist work visa here in Nepal is quite involved. On Monday Rick put together the 24 documents (49 pages of paperwork) and we headed over to the Social Welfare Council Office to get a signature and leave a copy so they could “recommend” Rick for the visa. (I will be added as a dependent.) We needed to stop to print the paperwork and make 4 copies. Our driver suggested the copy shop next to the SWC office and we agreed since it was convenient. Here are photos of the copy shop:
We had plenty of other paperwork to do this week as it was the end of our fiscal year. We are still getting the hang of the computer programs and the process. Hopefully we will be up to speed by the end of the month. We also had to address some issues pointed out to us by the SWC review we had last week. It all takes more time than it seems like it should.
Our driver, Manoj, and his wife Rachana invited us and the Wolfgramms over for dinner to celebrate Sister Wolfgramm’s birthday. They prepared some yummy food for us that included curried mushrooms, sesame chicken and a fried bread that was very tasty. A typical dessert here is rice pudding and Rachana’s is especially good.
We didn’t have any fun field trips this week but we did attend the wedding of our landlord’s housekeeper. She has been with the family for 13 years and is really a part of the family. Krishna (landlord) had to approve the marriage and provide the ceremony. It was held in the back garden and lasted about two hours. Three if you take into account the priest was an hour late. We appreciated that it was the short version! There are many steps involved and mostly no one understands what the priest is saying. The people in the wedding party really dress fancy and the whole event was splendid. They had the food “half catered” which means that Krishna bought the raw ingredients and it was prepared on site. We enjoyed rice with beans, chicken, mutton (actually goat), potatoes with pieces of gourd and spices, cooked greens and jeri with yogurt for dessert.
On Friday our cleaning lady invited us to her home for lunch. She really went all out in her preparations and it was delicious. I know she has cooked for previous missionary couples so maybe we will have her prepare food at our house upon occasion. It was really nice to meet her husband and get to know them both better.
This evening we were invited to dinner at the home of some friends from church. Again we enjoyed delicious food and good company. Four Nepali meals in one week! The Nepali people are so kind and generous.
And lastly, perhaps there is a reason to not have massive rats nests of wires on poles…
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