Like all professions there are always new theories on how best to perform. There are always new concepts and fresh ideas on how to revamp the old ones. All the schools we have come across here in Nepal teach in what I would deem quite an old fashioned way. Children are not taught concepts, but only to memorize huge chunks of texts. No relationship is given to the outside world.
So naturally when we were invited to spend the day in the ashram school I was expecting the same style. Whilst they did spend the first part of their morning memorizing maths concepts, the class was quickly moved outside. I had seen them do it here before, but had never been privy to the purpose. We were going into the jungle. Cool!
Should we go back to our apartment and put on our trekking shoes? No. Shall I bring water? No. What about food? No. I figured we couldn't be going for long.
We were gone for the best part of the school day. We learned to find jungle fruit and berries. What was safe to eat and what was not. I quickly acquired the taste of the various sour fruits, and like the children I filled my pockets with our lunch. We drank from the running river and beat our way through a previously unmarked path. It really was an awesome experience.
It was only as the jungle closed its doors behind us that the terror began. We were ambushed.
Leeches! I have never in my life seen so many. Our feet and hands were covered in the black blood suckers. There was blood, so much blood! I'm sure I pulled at least 50 off myself, other kids' estimate 100. This was in the space of about 50 metres. The screaming was horrendous, none more than mine and the girl behind me. Oh, did I say girl? I meant one of my sons. We were all laughing at each others reaction and at the same time trying in vain to save ourselves.
Just as I'd muttered the words,' This isn't fun anymore', I looked ahead at the other son and a couple of the kids who'd gone ahead, standing. No leeches!?
The other lesson for the day was our introduction to 'Timoor' (Nepali name) tree and its leaves. Once you rub the leaves on, it repels the leeches. It really did. Once you rub the berries on, it stops the bleeding. It was amazing; we walked back through the leech ambush zone and nothing! It was as if it didn't happen. This tree was amazing.
After our day of learning to follow the river to civilization and safety, eating wild fruits and berries, leeches and the power of the super repellent trees, how do you wrap up such an inspiring lesson? With a water fight of course!
x Lisa (inspired Mum)
x Lisa (inspired Mum)
Cody and Taiga so good to hear that you are having a good time and learnung so much about life in another country take it with both hands and learn from your experience. love grandad and Nonna xxxxxx
ReplyDeleteYuk,leeches,I thought that they lived in the water. That must have been a horendous experience. Definitely not something that I would like to go through. Thank goodness for the Timoor leaves and berries. Stay safe.
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