A high-pitched alarm designed to repel youngsters from shops is being used for the melody of a dance track after the success of a mobile phone ringtone.

I attended the main Memorial service for the 24 people that died in the helicopter crash. The service was organised by WWF since the reason they were in a helicopter was that they were coming back from a ceremony where they had handed over a nature reserve back to the Nepali people.

The service was beautiful. They had photographs of all 24 people at the front of the room. People went up and paid tribute. In Nepali tradition, they had placed light yellow and white scarfs and strings of marigolds around the photos. I spoke to a couple of people that I knew.

They asked us to take our seats and they called up one person at a time was asked to come up and speak about a person who died. The tributes were very moving. It is difficult in Nepali culture because crying is cutomarily done in private, but there were a couple of times where people were choked up. Many of the foreign family members had flown in for the occassion or prepared statements that others read on their behalf.

I am pleased that I attended the ceremony both for me and the other people who were left behind.

Wahay, my lovelies!
Today be International Talk Like a Pirate Day! I am sure that yuhl make me proud, Arrrrghh.

For the land lubbers, here is more information.

In Nepal again at the moment, the hotel I am staying at is swamped with American contractors. They are loud and their conversation is bland. Now, I know that I am not supposed to trash my people but these people are not usual, or are they?

They are on the fat side. They are wearing khakis and grey t-shirts and they are not uniforms - officially anyway. They usually sit in the same place and comment where their "usual" space is occupied.

Last night, while placing their food order one woman in particular ordered chicken cordon bleu, french fries and a diet coke. Why the diet coke??! Was she really skipping on the calories? Hmmm...
Anyway, when she found out that they were out of diet coke she was so confused. She didn't know what to order in its place. Normal coke? She asked, "what is a lassi?" You are kidding me. You are working in South Asia and you don't know what a lassi is. Have you even been to an Indian restarant in the US? In the end, she settled on an iced tea. Whew, crisis averted.

I know I sound bitter and perhaps I am? I am by myself. I keep eating alone and then going back to a room with no tv. It is great for getting lots of work done, but terrible for getting a mental break and is just more than a little lonely.

Tomorrow there will be a couple more people from my organisation arriving and that will be nice because there will be someone to eat with and be loud and order diet coke with. ;)

I saw this and absolutely loved it! Blog with other pieces of his work.

Have tried to organise things with the flat. The estate agents are being, well, estate agents. So, I am feeling a bit frustrated because they are not letting me know about viewings or feedback.

I am heading to Nepal tomorrow and my husband will be moving back in while I am gone. He is supposed to take care of the flat and communicate with the agents while I am gone.

I need to begin thinking about a back up plan if the house does not sell within the 8 week window, perhaps get a new tenant in and settle down to spring?

Finally got my flat on the market. Here we go, kids! Let the viewers begin. Oh, please, please - let my house sell near full asking price and QUICKLY.

PLEASE!!