Some things never change

I got back from Nepal last night, healthy & ready to commence all the training & empowering work of the five Thai people who will oversee the ServLife Hope Fund after my departure. The trip to Nepal was great in terms of helping to solidify ways I can be of use there, where I will live, and when I'll be able to join the rest of the team there. And, it was encouraging to be around a younger crowd, enjoying the amenities of a capital city...even if they're 3rd world quality in many situations.

Some things about Nepal haven't changed much though. The political situation is still somewhat volatile, only now the insurgent Maoists are prancing around the capital enjoying the new found freedoms associated with a democratic peace process. They're able to wreak havoc on the capital city, knowing the under-funded police are too weak to respond with force. As always though, tourists somehow live above the law here, able to come & go freely with now worries of danger. White skin & a blue passport with an olive branch on it has both positives & negatives I guess...you just have to pick your destinations wisely! :)

Here's a few pictures from the trip to Nepal that seemed to catch me off guard since no news of political turmoil really reaches anyone outside Nepal.





A group of army soldiers seemingly just hanging out in the middle of a busy intersection.













A few riot prepared soldiers against a wall in a touristy area of town with Nepal's best coffee shop just next to them. Oh yes, and no protesters anywhere to be found.









Burning tires in the middle of the road on the way to the airport, right across from Nepal's most intimidating Hindu Temple. Nepali's pass by w/o fear.