Today I had a culture-shock relapse resulting in introvertedness, mild irritation at just about everything, and a longing for the mundane - but safe and comforting - routine of home. I didn't feel like talking to Guy (or anyone else) and didn't care to explain my sudden somberness.
I sat around reading "Eating Animals" by Johnathan Safran Foer and waiting to feel human again.
NOTE: So far "Eating Animals" is a great book and is deserving of the hype it has received. If I were to remain an omnivore I would want to conduct the same sort of research that Safran has. The book is set out in a rather freeform ordering of scientific data, personal reflections, and testimony's from PETA 'radicals' and factory farmers.
The afternoon brought me back to my normal optimistic state after playing a few games of table-tennis with the children back at the school. I'm a worthy opponent in the table tennis, but need practice at the volleyball.
I spent the evening reading Rousseau's "Discourse on the arts and sciences" before the power cut out and I went up to the rooftop to look at the stars.
Overwhelmed. It's been a couple of hours since arriving in Kathmandu and I feel like I've bitten off more than I can chew. So this is what 'culture shock' feels like.
I was met at the airport by a young Nepalise man who took me to the accomodation that I will spend the next two nights at. The short trip from the airport to Bhaktapur was rather nerve-racking. The Nepalise have an informal road system in which there are no lanes and little indication. Instead they beep their horns a lot and spontaneous order miraculously occurs - not dissimilar (I imagine) to a bat's use of sonar.
I walked through bhaktapur with my guide and couldn't help feeling like a spectacle. My clothes, white skin, and long hair was obviously not a common sight. While we walked we talked about arranged marriages, girlfriends, university, and wealth. I felt like a promiscuous, rich, prat.
Now i'm in my room feeling exahusted and hungry but I can't bring myself to go back out there again right now.
On an unrelated note the weather is fine, it's about 16 degrees Celcius. Nice.
