You're Invited: An Evening of Classical Hindustani Music - August 21 at 4:30pm

Kathmandu - One Year After the Nepal Earthquake

Before

Because our sister ashram is in Kathmandu, the center of last year's massive earthquake in Nepal, we know all too well that recovery has been slow. But there are some signs of progress... check out these Before-and-After photos:

"On April 25, 2015, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Nepal. Massive aftershocks rumbled across the country for weeks, turning villages to dust and triggering deadly landslides. The losses were devastating — approximately 9,000 fatalities, 23,000 injuries, and thousands of homes destroyed, causing millions to be displaced. 

After

Before

After

But there was another loss that was less calculable — that of the country's rich cultural heritage. Some 600 historical structures, including several ancient temples and buildings recognized as World Heritage Sites, were damaged — if not completely leveled."

Before

After

The rebuilding and restoration efforts would be enormous. And, unfortunately, one year later, much of the country remains in shambles. Children are without schools, villagers are living in pop-up tents, and temples lean dangerously askew, if they stand at all. There don't seem to be any plans on the horizon, either; the government's reconstruction agency has approved zero projects, according to the Associated Press. 

Before

After

The country's proposed rebuilding budget is close to its goal, but its efforts have been stymied due to a severe lack of governmental organization and a tangle of red tape. Frustrated citizens are forced to just sit back and wait, or, as some have done, try to rebuild their lives on their own.

Before

After

In these photos we can compare World Heritage Sites and village street scenes around Nepal in photos taken days after the April 2015 earthquake as well as one year on and witness how far the country is from returning to normal." - From The Week http://theweek.com/captured/621107/rubble-nepal

Before

After

Please Correct Me

One of the baijis asked if I would correct her English whenever she misspoke or used incorrect grammar in an email or text.

This can be difficult when we're having a very interesting conversation, because I don't want to stop it just to point out minor errors! But she insists, so I choose my moments carefully.

But sometimes I make a mistake, and I get schooled.

It happened when some of the devotees returned from a Nepal fundraising trip at a local church.

"Scott, guess how much money they gave!" said Baiji breathlessly.

"Um, $300?"

"What? No!" she said, shocked at my poor guess. "Seven times that!"

"That's good!" I said.

She waived her finger in the air. "No! That's great!"

We all laughed at her passionate response, and I said "Thanks for correcting my English."

On a separate note, I've suggested that they never need to apologize for moments of broken English. They speak at least three languages, including English and Hindi. I only speak one - it's me who should be apologizing.  

But I'm learning. Accha namaste.

Book Title and Quote Have New Meaning After the Quake

Saw the quote
found the book
loved the subtitle
posted the link:  Bringing Progress to Paradise: What I Got from Giving to a Mountain Village in Nepal by Jeffrey Rasley