https://fiveinthefoothills.com/2017/04/24/our-family-gap-year/https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/20170412_100251.jpg20170412_1002512017-04-24T13:51:51+00:00monthlyhttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/2016/06/22/kathmanu-parks-and-rec-grassroots-style/https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/20160617_1728191.jpg20160617_172819https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/pureenjoyment.jpgPureEnjoymenthttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/kidsday.jpgkidsdayTo get the kids involved in developing the space, we hosted a Family Fun Day where we painted leftover bamboo and created wind chimes and planted donated plants into reusable plastic coke bottles -- HUGELY fun and successful day!https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/initialdays.jpgInitialDaysChopping wood with archaic tools ; first design and planning meeting ; teamwork from start to finish ; old sign.https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/celebrate.jpgCelebrateExtra special thank yous to Ram Krishna Dai and the SSYP club members; Samhita, Bishal and Deepak from The Generation Green, Team Pratik Pradhan ; the amazing Dais and Bhais -- Gopal, Purna, Buddhi, Deepak, Krishna from Chitwan, Krishna from Sanepa, and especially Tika ; and Clare, Theresa, Caroline, Bhavna and Bahar!!https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/12439168_10154012655390987_438481102360735654_n.jpg12439168_10154012655390987_438481102360735654_nLamo Chaur's first plot - the only one with remaining play equipment.2016-08-11T01:53:06+00:00monthlyhttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/2016/04/26/our-journey-to-the-wii-by-sajjan/https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/excel1.jpgexcelhttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/dscn2455.jpgDSCN2455https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/dscn1319.jpgDSCN1319https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/20160425_175554.jpg20160425_175554https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/20160209_170157.jpg20160209_1701572016-05-16T06:07:43+00:00monthlyhttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/2016/04/19/family-trekking-in-nepal/https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/dsc_0112.jpgDSC_0112https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/dsc_0195.jpgDSC_0195https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/dsc_0232.jpgDSC_0232The most beautiful day of hiking...https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/dsc_0204.jpgDSC_0204Non-stop silliness! https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/dsc_0098.jpgDSC_0098Seven sweet smiles... and a memory that most of them will keep for a lifetime...https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/dsc_0323.jpgDSC_0323All 21 of us near the end of the whole trek, a special moment! Ashta Lama, head guide, in back row middle (red jacket). Fursang Lama, assistant guide, in front row left (orange jacket).https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/dsc_0282.jpgDSC_0282All 13 of us at High Camp - we made it! Back row - Vidhya, Samir Nikhil, Sawmya, Shairose, Nita, Sumanth, Sajjan, Prakash. Front row - Nishant, Jayda, Ariana, Janani.2016-04-20T06:47:20+00:00monthlyhttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/2016/04/07/blog-comes-out-of-hibernation/https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/20160407_081504.jpg20160407_081504Queues of empty plastic containers and their owners waiting for hours and sometimes days for kerosene. LPG or normal cooking fuel, was and still is in very short supply. https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/20151124_103855.jpg20151124_103855A hugely common sight, fuel being syphoned into a vehicle using bottles, cups, tubes, canisters -- anything that could hold or transfer liquid!https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/20151122_171554.jpg20151122_171554Using the induction cook stove was tricky as it would only work while electricity was on (invertor could not power it) and it often burned the food before really cooking it!https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/20151120_110922.jpg20151120_110922Thankfully, we have plenty of firewood because our yard is large and has several trees. https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/20151102_120008.jpg20151102_120008The peaceful chaos near the petrol pump while I was sitting in the queue - dozens of cars, hundred of motorcycles and scooters and unlimited people waiting and watching.2016-04-09T19:05:34+00:00monthlyhttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/2016/04/02/fobisia-math-competition-guangzhou-china-by-janani/https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/img_20160316_164605.jpgIMG_20160316_164605The race track activity had so many tasks! Our blue desk had turned white with dozens of papers!https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/img_6658.jpgIMG_6658Hanging out without our parents supervision is so fun!https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/dscn4855.jpgDSCN4855It looks like a pot, but it's really a magnet!https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/dscn4854.jpgDSCN4854Everyone received a participation award. Mine looked like real gold!https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/img_20160316_164801.jpgIMG_20160316_164801"Is my hat black or white", a logic puzzle we solved.https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/img_20160316_164746.jpgIMG_20160316_164746So much to do, so little time!https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/img_20160316_164734.jpgIMG_20160316_164734We had many examples of tessellations and we created even more.https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/img_20160316_164612.jpgIMG_20160316_164612The hardest part was making the marble run down the track without stopping.2016-04-11T23:30:57+00:00monthlyhttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/2015/08/24/the-one-world-schoolhouse-education-reimagined-by-salman-khan/https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/bookcover.jpgbookcover2015-12-20T14:54:40+00:00monthlyhttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/2015/07/01/two-wheeled-yetis-whoosh-look-left-look-right-here-they-come/https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/bridge.jpgbridgeDon't look down!https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/sunrise.jpgsunriseAhhh.... the sunrise... early morning quietude and peacehttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/teastop.jpgteastop10am tea, sunshine, 15km cycled, 15km to go -- blissful!https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/singletrack.jpgsingletrackSome single track too - got to add some adventure!https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/lushfields2.jpglushfields2Beautiful layers of green fieldshttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/happy-man.jpghappy manSimple, happy man with flowers - Kath's photo!https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/drinks.jpgdrinksCheers ya'll! Get on your cycle and ride :-)https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/driedcrops.jpgdriedcropsSimplicity and beauty of Nepal's villages - women, homes, harvests...https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/20150317_103913.jpg20150317_103913Mountains floating high in the sky - what a treat!https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/20150127_100733.jpg20150127_10073312 riders - we made a statement on the road!2015-10-27T17:26:35+00:00monthlyhttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/2015/05/20/post-earthquake-how-are-we-really-doing/2015-05-20T12:42:50+00:00monthlyhttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/2015/05/14/20-days-since-the-maha-bhukamp-by-prakash-bhave/https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/timeseriespb.pngtimeseriesPBTime-series plot of earthquake and aftershock data.2015-05-18T15:39:09+00:00monthlyhttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/2015/04/29/nepal-earthquake-2015-in-sanepa-lalitpur/2015-05-12T18:37:58+00:00monthlyhttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/2015/04/22/my-first-visit-to-kathmandu-nepal-by-viththal-bhave/https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/20150322_103819.jpg20150322_103819Prakash and me in Bhaktapur.https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/dscn0824.jpgDSCN0824Janani and her classmates in the school drama.https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/dscn0809.jpgDSCN0809Does this street meet all of the criteria?https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/dscn0675.jpgDSCN0675Early morning special Shiva puja.https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/dscn0638.jpgDSCN0638Kiddos excited to see and TASTE all the treats brought from home.https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/20150324_104952.jpg20150324_104952Grabbing a snack at the bakery while roaming the streets of Kathmandu.https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/20150324_103712.jpg20150324_103712Caleb and I chatting in this workshop.https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/20150322_180249.jpg20150322_180249Golden Buddha statue in the garden of the monastery.https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/img_6110.jpgIMG_6110As you removed the black and white card from its sleeve, color magically appeared! Tricky illusion using 1 clear sheet and a few plain papers.2015-04-29T00:28:47+00:00monthlyhttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/2015/04/16/ek-barsa-bhayo/2015-04-16T15:49:47+00:00monthlyhttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/2015/04/13/my-trip-to-the-kathmandu-zoo-by-sajjan-bhave/https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/img_6079.jpg???????????????????????????????https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/img_6070.jpg???????????????????????????????https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/img_6057.jpg???????????????????????????????https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/img_6056.jpg???????????????????????????????https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/img_6054.jpg???????????????????????????????https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/img_6047.jpg???????????????????????????????https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/img_6046.jpg???????????????????????????????https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/img_6043.jpg???????????????????????????????https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/img_6078.jpgIMG_60782015-04-14T12:24:28+00:00monthlyhttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/2015/04/12/my-adventures-in-hattiban-by-sumanth-bhave/https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/20150313_120245.jpg20150313_120245Wiped out, but happy as can be, after the best FIRST school overnight experience!2015-04-12T07:41:51+00:00monthlyhttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/2015/04/12/embracing-and-enjoying-a-new-lifestyle/https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/20150124_1407121.jpg20150124_140712Tika Dai with Prakash and the kids on a temple outing!https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/img_32991.jpg???????????????????????????????Sonu and the kids on her birthday!2015-04-12T07:21:08+00:00monthlyhttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/2015/03/09/vacationing-at-two-ends-of-the-spectrum-poor-developing-village-and-5-star-fancy-resort/https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/img_5982.jpg???????????????????????????????The morning fog is intense in the Terai - doesn't lift until after 11am and significantly impacts crop yield, airport safety, drying of clothes, etc, etc, etc...https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/img_5925.jpgIMG_5925Music session with villagers - what a special opportunity!https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/img_5861.jpg???????????????????????????????https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/dscn0200.jpg??????????Tika Dai's Mom, Dad and younger brother (the one who was attacked by a crocodile years ago).https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/dsc00862.jpgDSC00862Cold river water splashed from an elephant's trunk - once in a lifetime experience!https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/dsc00554.jpgDSC00554Such a neat experience to see wildlife atop an elephant!https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/dsc00529.jpgDSC00529Our whole troup! https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/20150215_155158.jpg20150215_155158Clean water, stones, tadpoles and hours of fun by the creekside...https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/img_5988.jpg???????????????????????????????Soft, furry, cute as a button now - but will eat up everything in sight within a few months!https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/img_5983.jpg???????????????????????????????Can we take one home with us?!? We almost committed to this proposition - they are just SO cute - but thankfully we came to our senses!2015-03-14T14:35:54+00:00monthlyhttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/2015/02/25/our-jungle-adventures/https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/dscn0176.jpg??????????We found all kinds of interesting things up here!https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/dscn0183.jpg??????????We met the whole village by the end of our trip!https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/dscn0198.jpg??????????They are just a day old!https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/dscn0185.jpg??????????https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/dscn0173.jpg??????????Hidden village treasures...https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/dsc00816.jpg???????????????????????????????Soaking wet but happy as can be!https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/dsc00784.jpg???????????????????????????????We rode on Shivratri - children in the villages held strings across the road so we couldn't cross. They asked for money and then released the strings - similar to our Trick or Treating in the USA!https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/dsc00719.jpg???????????????????????????????The elephant "driver" rubs his feet behind the elephants ears to steer - no kidding!https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/dsc00493.jpg???????????????????????????????The whole canoe is made from 1 single piece of wood - can't believe 12 of us fit!https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/20150219_131758.jpg20150219_131758Skipping rocks and collecting a few to take home.2015-02-26T03:55:41+00:00monthlyhttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/2015/01/29/surviving-winters-in-kathmandu/https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/20141030_110027.jpg20141030_110027Sitting next to it now as I type this blog post! The most effective indoor heating device, our wood stove.https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/20150119_215633.jpg20150119_215633Our electric heater - kept in the bedroom as much of the night, the electricity is on and we can use it!https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/img_4750.jpg???????????????????????????????Puffer jackets, and anything you can imagine made from fleece or wool -- jumpers / sweaters, shawls, scarfs, hats, gloves, wrist warmers, leg warmers, socks, pants... the list goes on and on...https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/img_4759.jpg???????????????????????????????Truck getting loaded with gas cylinders - people hold their's in queues for days, sometimes weeks!https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/20150112_191448.jpg20150112_191448Kids getting ready for bed - footsie pajamas, woolen hats, fleece jumpers, and warm Nepali felt house slippers.https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/20150110_073004.jpg20150110_073004One of the coldest mornings this winter - 50.9 degrees Fahrenheit in our upstairs living room.https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/20141217_211846.jpg20141217_211846https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/20141128_074413.jpg20141128_074413Janani wearing a "head warmer" I crocheted for her. She also learned and made a few more!2015-02-18T08:49:38+00:00monthlyhttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/2014/12/04/my-shivapuri-trip/https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/img_4740.jpg???????????????????????????????Sonu Didi made me a cake to welcome me home!https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/img_4731.jpg???????????????????????????????Getting ready to get on the bus. They tossed all the bags on the top.https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/img_4724.jpg???????????????????????????????My brother learned how the porters in the Himalayas carry heavy bags!https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/img_4720.jpg???????????????????????????????I'm all set!https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/trafficsurvey.jpgtrafficsurveyTraffic survey at Budhanilkantha - there were SO many motorcycles!https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/sketching.jpgsketchingWe're sketching the Kathmandu Valley.https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/lodge.jpglodgeOur lodge - Shivapuri Heights Cottage.https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/classpic.jpgclasspicOur class picture at the lodge.https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/briquette.jpgbriquetteWe learned how they make briquettes.https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/treeplanting.jpgtreeplantingNishchal, Yulo and me watering the tree we planted!2015-01-05T18:46:13+00:00monthlyhttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/2014/11/19/my-chitwan-trip/https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/elepload.jpgeleploadPeople boarding an elephant - it looks hard, but its quite easy.https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/elepgrass.jpgelepgrassSome of the elephant grass was almost three times as tall as I am! https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/dscf2170.jpgDSCF2170It was SO fun! https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/dscf2104.jpgDSCF2104Resting in the shade during a long hike. Everyone's wearing long sleeves and long pants because of the mosquitoes.https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/20141107_170002.jpg20141107_170002My Didi made me a cake when I came home from the trip! She doesn't know English well so she sounded out "WELCOME".https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/20141103_080905.jpg20141103_080905Meghna and I waved goodbye to our parents from the bus.https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/20141103_080818.jpg20141103_080818Excited and a little bit sad...https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/rhinoswim.jpgrhinoswimWe had to be really quiet when we spotted any wild animals like this rhino.https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/p1020097.jpgP1020097The rivers in Chitwan are pretty and blue unlike the rivers in Kathmandu.2014-12-07T20:48:47+00:00monthlyhttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/2014/11/11/november-visitors-prakashs-2-most-favorite-uncles/https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/dsc_0615.jpgDSC_0615Top Row - Sumanth, Rijul, Sajjan, Janani. Bottom Row - Rabi, Charu, Ashwin Kaka, Chitra Kaki, Prakash, Nitahttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/dsc_0573.jpgDSC_0573The heavenly oasis of Garden of Dreams in Thamel - makes me feel like we are in Pasadena, California!https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/dsc_0449.jpgDSC_0449How do they replace the shiny red cloth decoration at the edge of the pagoda tiers? Kathmandu is looking its finest in preparation for the SAARC Summit.https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/img_4591.jpg???????????????????????????????Ready for the journey back to the center of Kathmandu!https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/img_4576.jpg???????????????????????????????Rural houses, shops, electrical wires -- you see it all scattered along the "trails" deep into the edges of the Kathmandu Valley.https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/img_4426.jpg???????????????????????????????Giant prayer wheels at Swayambhunath. Ashwin Kaka thought it would be effective to harness all the energy from so many devotees spinning so many prayer wheels! https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/20141105_101242.jpg20141105_101242Ravi Kaka standing in front of metal elephant statues at the Golden Temple near Patan Durbar Square. https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/20141104_170502.jpg20141104_170502A crisp, breezy evening atop Nagarkot hill. The long vista of snow-capped peaks "peaking" through the clouds was beautiful.2014-11-11T16:15:59+00:00monthlyhttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/2014/11/11/halloween-in-nepal/https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/img_4389.jpg???????????????????????????????Prakash leading the skeletons, goblins, ghosts and witches through the song, Have You Ever Seen a Pumpkin. We learned this song years ago at the West Regional Library in Cary, North Carolina and remember it fondly each Halloween.https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/img_4384.jpg???????????????????????????????Charles joined us for the evening - he is an intern at ICIMOD and is in a "gap year" after finishing his undergrad at Harvard and before starting his PhD at MIT next fall.https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/img_4381.jpg???????????????????????????????Home-made MnM costumes - colorful T-shirts, cardboard circles, cotton stuffing and a bit of white fabric - that's all it took!2014-11-11T14:01:44+00:00monthlyhttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/2014/05/05/11/https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/img_2155.jpgIMG_2155Me with my rented bike, helmet and face mask (similar to what doctors wear but is made of cloth and reduces the pollution entering your body ; very commonly worn here in Kathmandu).https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/img_2132.jpgIMG_2132The kids on their first day of school!https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/img_2165.jpgIMG_2165Janani playing a birthday game of cutting up chocolate with a fork and knife as fast as she can before her turn is up!2014-10-27T15:28:02+00:00monthlyhttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/2014/05/05/great-biking-weekend/https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/20140504_105302.jpg20140504_105302https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/20140504_104506-e1399354740276.jpg20140504_104506https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/20140504_100549.jpg20140504_100549https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/20140504_094420-e1399354666811.jpg20140504_094420https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/20140504_093911-1-e1399354540462.jpg20140504_093911 (1)https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/img_2208-e1399354114945.jpgIMG_22082014-10-27T15:27:00+00:00monthlyhttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/2014/05/12/electricity-in-kathmandu-and-other-utilities/https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/20140512_120802.jpg20140512_120802Solar panels and tank on the terrace of our apartment buildinghttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/20140512_120728.jpg20140512_120728Our neighbors solar panels and 2 water tanks of an apartment building in the next lane.https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/20140512_120428.jpg20140512_120428Waka Waka and Lucihttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/20140512_115223.jpg20140512_115223The invertor in our apartment.2014-10-27T15:26:02+00:00monthlyhttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/2014/05/15/recent-highlights-concerts-and-biking/https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/new-picture1.jpgNew Picturehttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/new-picture-1.jpgNew Picture (1)https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/20140508_194819-e1400126880586.jpg20140508_1948192014-10-27T15:24:29+00:00monthlyhttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/2014/05/16/thanka-painting-how-fascinating/https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/20140516_103917.jpg20140516_103917https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/20140516_112954-e1400226949507.jpg20140516_112954https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/20140516_095736-e1400226920592.jpg20140516_095736https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/20140516_100619.jpg20140516_1006192014-10-27T15:23:14+00:00monthlyhttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/2014/05/23/first-visitor-an-old-buddy-from-ucsd/https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/img_2307-e1400827091413.jpgIMG_2307https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/20140521_094126.jpg20140521_094126https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/20140521_093512.jpg20140521_093512https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/20140520_091729.jpg20140520_091729https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/20140519_172147-e1400826788110.jpg20140519_1721472014-10-27T15:21:49+00:00monthlyhttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/2014/05/31/house-hunters-international-bhaves-in-ktm/https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/20140430_093524.jpg20140430_093524https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/img_2119.jpgIMG_2119https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/20140528_192926.jpg20140528_192926https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/20140528_192406.jpg20140528_192406https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/20140506_172619-e1401551151289.jpg20140506_1726192014-10-27T15:20:55+00:00monthlyhttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/2014/06/04/initial-impressions-of-the-workplace-himalayas-epa/https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/himalaya.jpgHimalayahttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/img_2299.jpg???????????????????????????????Colleagues enthusiastically working on a team-building activity at our retreathttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/img_2244-e1401890124508.jpg???????????????????????????????ICIMOD colleagues descending on the refreshments at an all-hands meeting.2014-10-27T15:19:57+00:00monthlyhttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/2014/06/12/daily-routines/https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/20140529_151711-e1402544723427.jpg20140529_151711Janani climbing at the mini-gym.https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/img_2209-e1402543904922.jpgIMG_2209The panniers can hold an amazing amount! Toss the groceries inside and the kids on top and you are off!https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/20140505_172012-e1402543980143.jpg20140505_172012Janani's chalk solar system!https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/img_2136.jpgIMG_2136Greeting the teacher before running off to the football / soccer field.https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/img_2137.jpgIMG_2137Backpacks lined up, kids and parents chatting away.2014-10-27T15:18:26+00:00monthlyhttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/2014/06/21/behind-every-dark-cloud-is-a-silver-lining/https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/img_2610.jpgIMG_2610https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/img_2601.jpgIMG_2601https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/img_2598.jpgIMG_2598https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/img_2612.jpgIMG_26122014-10-27T15:10:00+00:00monthlyhttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/2014/06/25/initial-thoughts-on-nepal-by-sumanth-sajjan-and-janani/https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/img_2327-e1403685277431.jpgIMG_2327A birds eye view of the dust and pollution within the KTM valley.https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/img_2585-e1403684290535.jpgIMG_2585Janani playing defense at the soccer match. TBS lost 3-2 against KISC.https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/img_2156.jpgIMG_2156Janani and Sajjan in their PE Uniforms. They only have uniforms for PE, not for the school day.https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/img_2154.jpgIMG_2154Sumanth showing his bug research laboratory!https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/20140610_155201-e1403684496860.jpg20140610_155201Sumanth getting a horse ride at a recent birthday party.2014-10-27T15:08:44+00:00monthlyhttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/2014/06/30/second-visitor-our-friend-dinesh-shenoy/https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/img_2694.jpg???????????????????????????????This is the tallest temple in Nepal!https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/img_2683.jpgIMG_2683Walking down a narrow alley in Bhaktapur.https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/img_2732.jpg???????????????????????????????Janani singing in the garden.https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/img_2725.jpg???????????????????????????????Prakash and Aman entertaining the crowd.https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/img_2656.jpgIMG_2656Geoff, Dinesh and Caleb watching the Germany USA World Cup match.https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/lasermaxx.jpglasermaxxLaser Tag -- Prakash, Nita and Janani against Dinesh, Sajjan and Sumanth!https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/img_2737.jpgIMG_2737Sajjan beating Dinesh in a game of chess! https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/img_2671.jpg???????????????????????????????Sumi beating Dinesh in a game of Blink!https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/img_2668.jpgIMG_2668Dinesh receiving therapy from a healing bowl specialist.https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/img_2657.jpg???????????????????????????????Patan Darbar Square2014-10-27T15:07:35+00:00monthlyhttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/2014/07/31/we-moved/https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/img_3245.jpgIMG_3245https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/img_3247-e1406797543432.jpg???????????????????????????????https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/img_3248.jpg???????????????????????????????https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/img_2780.jpg???????????????????????????????https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/img_3246.jpgIMG_3246https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/img_3240.jpg???????????????????????????????https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/img_2775.jpgIMG_2775https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/img_2781.jpg???????????????????????????????https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/img_3241.jpg???????????????????????????????https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/img_2779.jpg???????????????????????????????2014-10-27T15:06:40+00:00monthlyhttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/2014/08/25/found-new-meaning-for-a-rainy-day/2014-10-27T15:04:59+00:00monthlyhttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/2014/08/27/motorcycle-adventure-to-the-fish-farm/2014-10-27T15:03:49+00:00monthlyhttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/2014/09/19/preparation-for-our-first-trek-in-the-himalayan-mountains/https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/img_35891.jpg???????????????????????????????The temple at the top of Chobar Hill has intriguing iron and brass decorations - a relatively costly kitchen item is given to the temple in the memory of recently deceased family member and nailed to the facade. The tradition has been going on for years therefore thousands of plates, bowls, spoons, pots and other kitchen are visible. https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/img_3575.jpg???????????????????????????????There were several massive recycling centers along the riverside where plastics and glass are collected then trucked to India for processing. https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/img_3511.jpg???????????????????????????????This monastery is in the process of expansion and we peaked at the unfinished upper levels - amazing statues and intricate paintings! https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/img_3504.jpg???????????????????????????????Buddhist nuns and monks shave their heads and wear robes of mustard and maroon.https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/img_3589.jpg???????????????????????????????https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/img_3482.jpg???????????????????????????????We crossed paths with over 700 people on a religious parade - Tika Dai swiftly elevated Sumanth so he wouldn't get swallowed by the crowd while I had my hands on Janani and Sajjan. https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/img_3477.jpg???????????????????????????????A massive river cleanup effort by the Nepal Army, Police and local students - unfortunately, the rivers here are used more as dumping grounds than special resources that need protection. https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/img_3441.jpg???????????????????????????????At the restaurant, Prakash approached a local strumming on his guitar. They jammed together singing U2, James Blunt and Adele! https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/img_3431.jpg???????????????????????????????Here, we are standing at the first elevated level of the stupa. https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/img_3415.jpg???????????????????????????????We crossed the river along an old, narrow, wooden pedestrian bridge. Low and behold, after we walked over, a motorcycle daringly went across the 2-foot-wide, rickety passage! 2014-10-27T15:02:58+00:00monthlyhttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/2014/10/06/trekking-by-sumanth-sajjan-and-janani/https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/img_4187.jpg???????????????????????????????Enormous bamboo swings -- my Mom's turn!https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/img_4076.jpg???????????????????????????????Charlotte, Maya and Janani performing the Jungle Songhttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/img_3977.jpg???????????????????????????????Sumanth next to the cairn he builthttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/img_3974.jpg???????????????????????????????Horses headed up the trail carrying supplieshttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/img_3921.jpg???????????????????????????????Sunrise at Poon Hill... https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/img_3899.jpg???????????????????????????????Dan and Sajjan playing the Mille Bourne card gamehttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/img_3862.jpg???????????????????????????????Mealtime at the lodgehttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/img_3822.jpg???????????????????????????????Crossing the trail in 8 inch deep water - see the goats on the other side?https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/img_3817.jpgIMG_3817Trail following the riverhttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/img_3815.jpg???????????????????????????????One of several bridges we crossed2014-10-27T15:01:55+00:00monthlyhttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/2014/10/22/trekking-nepals-premier-recreation/https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/img_3943.jpg???????????????????????????????Notice the snowline, at about 5000 meters. It looked so near, but was still ~2000 meters higher than we were!https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/img_3894.jpg???????????????????????????????Beautiful bird songs, small colorful butterflies, delicate little flowers, and so much water! Streams, waterfalls, creeks, puddles -- it was simply amazing... https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/img_3856.jpgIMG_3856Arthi having daal bhaat, Sajjan having pizza, Janani having fried rice and Maya having chicken curry! Miles and miles away from town -- it was unbelievable!https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/img_3927-e1413956309795.jpg???????????????????????????????They poked a walking stick into the ground and were playing all sorts of running games -- maybe the unintentional aim was to keep warm!https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/img_4177.jpg???????????????????????????????The kids walking along the path, without guide, porter or parent nearby... Trust and faith are viewed differently here -- its a whole different world (as compared to the USA)...https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/img_4151.jpg???????????????????????????????https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/img_4023.jpg???????????????????????????????Tea houses are usually made of brick and cement - they are relatively warm and have adequate facilities. https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/img_0477.jpgIMG_0477Our ENTIRE group! Picture courtesy of Daeng Kamkong 2014-10-28T19:44:54+00:00monthlyhttps://fiveinthefoothills.com/about/https://fiveinthefoothills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/dsc_0291a_034.jpgDSC_0291a_0342015-11-16T05:59:48+00:00weekly0.6https://fiveinthefoothills.comdaily1.02017-04-24T13:51:51+00:00