Last weekend the three Americans and Barbara left for Kathmandu and, for the Americans, Japan, and Barbara, home to England. On Thursday evening Bindu cokked a big meal and nvited all the volunteers, Phil (placement coordinator) and Kelly. Barbara and I had finally got our kurtha serwals sorted (salwar kameez, or the traditional trouser suit) so we wore them. Sharon suprised us by appearing in one too, having had it made in one day! The meal was lovely. It was all by candlelight and some big torches as it was load-shedding. We ended up with three cakes! Barbara and the americans had bought an apple chocolate crumble and Binsu had made a cheese cake and carrot cake! All were delicious and we regretted those second helpings of rice and veg!

Friday was their last day. We went out for a meal (not really a treat as we hadn't yet got the stuff to cook for ourselves). Joy, an Australian who Sharon and Gerry met, joined us. She's in her 70s but she comes here every year. She used to volunteer but now she says she 'facilitates'. It seems that she meets lots of people and connects them to other people, a very useful occupation!

On Saturday morning they left early for the bus then it was just me and Fleur. Six down to two makes quite a difference. We went to Mahendrapul, which turned out to be a mistake because all the shops were closed. Saturday is the one day off in the week in Nepal but it isn't noticable in Lakeside because everything is always open. We did manage to find what we needed though. We stocked up on rice and noodles, ready for when Bindu replaced the gas and we could finally cook!

On Sunday we visited the Women's Skills Development Centre again so that Fleur could see it and I could take photos, and we bought more things! Then we went to Devi Falls. Devi Falls is where the Pardi Khola river (that comes off the lake) runs underground. From the pictures it is very impressive when it's full of water but as it is now nearing the end of the dry season, there was only a little trickle! The rocks make quite an interesting formation I suppose. After that we ate at a little roadside cafe which we probably shouldn't have but we only ate the bits that we saw made frec\sg ot were at least hot (and I've not had any problems yet!). Then we went to the Gupteshwor Mahadev cave which is where the river goes. There is a temple to Shive (I think) then  you can go top see where the water comes in. It's basically the other side of what you can see from Devi Falls. Quite interesting but not really woth the Rs100 entrance fee (Devi Falls is only Rs20)