The weather here in Pokhara has improved significantly, all within just a few days. It’s weird – only a week ago I was wearing 2 pairs of socks, a sweater and 2 shawls at night to stay sufficiently warm, and now I have shed one of the pairs of socks, the sweater, and the warmer shawl and I haven’t felt cold at all. In fact today, sitting out there in the sun around lunchtime, I was actually TOO hot and had to come inside… Not to bad for the end of January!
Also, I have found out more details about what I am and am not allowed to do during that special womanly time of the month. I am not allowed in my mom’s room (which I found out the hard way) though I can still go in any other bedroom. On the fourth day, after I have bathed, I am allowed in the kitchen and can eat at the table, though I still can’t touch the water filterer for whatever reason. Also on the fourth day (as a symbol of my re-acquired clean state) I have to clean by bed sheets and wash ALL the clothes I have worn the past 3 days. In general, I think I have been a very good sport about everything because I am very respectful toward culture, but I think that me doing my laundry (even if the clothes are clean) might be asking just a little too much of me. I mean, it’s not like I can throw my sheets and jeans in the washing machine or something!
