Monsoon Begins

The little gold speck is actually a big Buddha that I see everyday on my bus ride up to Godavari.

 Went to visit this fella a few weeks ago, with a few of the workshop girls, its not too far from the workshop (though lots of steps for a hot day) it had some stunning views when we got up there.

A few of the workshop girls and the workshop baby. 

Dolma with the happiest little baby. I can't spell her name but she visits the workshop often.

Brief run through Durbar Square, need to go back and take some more photos of this ancient place, but for now here's a colourful monkey.

A busy street in Durbar Square

View from the Buddha 

The monsoon has just started (sort of) I love this photo of a crow staying undercover, he made his way slowly along the wire and cocked his head out every now and then to see if it had stopped yet.

I am really enjoying life in Nepal and its starting to feel like home. I am all moved into my new place, more on that in the next post, I have started learning Nepali and I am working on new designs of my own, inspiration at every turn here.

Really bad news though! Mango season is ending!!!!!! :( It was good whilst it lasted!

Will post more soon!x

Nameste Nepal 

Here is where both my blog and my adventure begins. I arrived in Nepal at 2pm on Tuesday after several flights via many airports, so still catching up on sleep at the moment. But I am exploring Nepal and so far enjoying the sights, sounds (of which there are plenty) and the lovely food, writing this as I tuck into the famous Nepali 'MoMos'. 

I've come to Kathmandu in Nepal to volunteer as a jewellery tutor in a silver workshop set up by Freedom Matters. I have been to the workshop, its in a beautiful place called Godavari. The girls who I will be working with are lovely and I am really excited about getting started. 

So here are a few snaps so far.

View on the walk to the workshop, Godavari

Road up to Godavari, after a cosy Micro ride

Godavari workshop, the soldering area

Some of the girls (and of course boy) hard at work, some great jewellers here, some who have been making for only 6 months.

A sneak peak at the new jewellery collection that the previous volunteer, Jenny, had been working on with the jewellers. It all looks lovely and its beautifully made, I have my eye on a few pieces already! 

Industrial look workshop, my favourite kind.

Workshop garden

Walk back from the workshop

Heading back into town where I am staying. Still in the shadow of the mountain as you can see, but Kathmandu city is quite polluted and I need to get myself a mask. Its a worrying issue here, with such stunning surrounds, the pollution being produced is so damaging to this beautiful part of the world.

P.s I am still trying to raise money for the workshop. Having seen first hand, I know the money is going to a great cause and the charity is working really hard out here to help stop children and young people from being trafficked. See the link below to find out more about what I am up to in Nepal.

Heres the link -  https://www.justgiving.com/Kate-Gilliland