As many of you know the past week was a momentous. Tomorrow marks exactly 7 months since arriving in Nepal and tomorrow also marks the beginning of the last 6 months we will spend here! A big decision, not taken lightly, that we will be departing this beautiful country in January and embarking on some travel adventures to Hawaii, the Philippines, Europe, and Toronto, before returning back to the West Coast around September 2010. Described in 4 words it feels: marvelous, satisfying, sad and thrilling.

• Mango squeeze. I talk about mangoes every week. They continue to amaze me with their variety, ability to satiate the sweetest of teeth, and health properties. But this week, I would like to highlight their portability! Not normally lauded for their ease of opening, slicing, and eating I have come to learn that they are one of the most portable snack foods around. Provided, you know the right way to eat them. I like to call this a “mango squeeze”:

Instructions:

1. Buy a small ripe mango – the small Philippine kind works well – should fit easily into the palm of your hand.
2. Gently squish the mango with your thumb, slowly working the fruit away from the peel and pit inside. Note…mango is still whole and uncut…skin is completely sealed.
3. Bite a small hole in the skin at the end of the mango, where it was once attached to a branch.
4. Slowly and carefully squeeze the pulp from the skin. Eventually, all you will be left with are pit and skin – toss into the compost and relish the fact that you are free from sticky mango juice and have eaten the whole thing.

• Alternate perspectives on aid. Before coming to Nepal, I previously believed that development work, was a field of work built on passion, social justice, and mutual respect. And while I have met some incredibly inspiring individuals who embrace these qualities, the reality is that development is an industry. The money that channels through these countries is astounding! For a country like Nepal, with up to 50 years of development work, the money has long been sufficient to create a more equal, fair, and inclusive society. But, there is no incentive to achieve this vision, as it would mean a loss of jobs for many, many people. Enter a brilliant economist, Dambisa Moyo, whose perspective on aid in Africa, while contentious and provocative, is truly a reflection of what I have observed in Nepal.
• Having friends around the world. Since we posted a quick update about our travel plans starting in January, we have been flooded with lovely offers of places to stay and people to visit all over Europe. Nothing is more heart-warming than knowing that despite long gaps of time there are people willing to welcome you into their home and share a meal with a wandering visitor.
• This. “When you care enough to hit send.”

And a special “welcome to the world” shout out to new baby Frei who arrived yesterday! Congrats to the family and watch out Ohio…you now have a Frei/Mordarski on the loose 🙂