So I have been in Kathmandu for a couple days now and I must tell you, it takes some getting used to. There are so many people and the streets are so small that its hard to fit all the cars motorcycles and people on the street. The sides of the roads are lined with little shops, butchers, and dogs. But it didn't take very long to get the hang of it, you just have to pay attention to everything around you.

The first day I was here I met up with some other people from the program, Gavin from Ireland, Nicole from New Zealand and Patricia from Argentina. We hit it off real well and decided to go for a walk. We looked at a map and decided to go to Durbar square. Durbar is a large area with one large temple and many other small temples, and a large area with people selling stuff. I loved it.

After that we went and had lunch on the top of a building, it was great because you could see most of the city and you could see the monkey temple on top of a hill with haze around it, it was awesome. After that we walked back to the guest house and we all fell asleep at about 6pm.

The next day I got up early and had some time so I got to Skype with my dad, Sarah and my mom! Then we met up with a new arrival, Nick from California and we went to breakfast at this great place down the road from us.

After breakfast we found a place on the map called the Dream Gardens, and decided to go find it. It was a little outside the tourist area and we almost missed it. On one side of us was a very very busy street and on the other was a very large brick wall. All of a sudden in the wall, was a door, when you go through the door you are surrounded but lush trees and plants. There was a grass area with mats that you can sit on, and great old buildings and fountains. It is a very quiet relaxing place. Its crazy how it is right off of a main street like that.

When we got back to the guest house we got our orientation package and met all the other people that had arrived during the day while we were gone. Their are people from all over the world doing the program its great. We have 5 people from the USA me, 2 from Washington state 1 from California, and 1 from Buffalo, NY, 1 from Ireland 1 from New Zealand 2 from Australia 1 from Argentina 1 from the UK 1 from Italy, 1 from Norway, 1 from Canada, 1 from India (I might be missing one). We all had dinner together and all talked about where we live and how thing are different. Its fun meeting all these people and I hope to stay friends with them after this.

Today November 1 we started the day with our first Nepali language class. Haha I have never been goo with learning new languages. But i feel I got the most important parts I think we have a couple more classes.

After class and lunch we went to the MONKEY TEMPLE!! WOW is all I can really say. It is on the top of a huge hill and from the top you can see the whole Kathmandu valley. They aren't kidding when they call it the monkey temple, everywhere you look there is a monkey, and if you are holding anything in your hand that looks like food, they will try to take it from you. At the top you can go in the temple. When we were there the monks were doing a service (I don't know if that's what you call it) but they were chanting and hitting very loud drums, it was amazing to watch. Then just outside of the temple are lots of shops where you can buy stuff, awesome picture and statues. When we were standing there three monkey got in a huge fight and starting howling and screaming at each other, they jumped up on a table knocking it over and climbed up the wall. It was CRAZY!

After the monkey temple we came back to town and got our SIM cards for our phones and got information on any extra activities we want to do. I found a couple people that are going to do the jungle elephant safari with me. I can't wait!

Tonight after dinner we went out to a "club" where there was a band playing all the number one hit from America, John Mayer, The Door, Bob Marley, Sublime. They were pretty good.

Tomorrow we have class again we are going over culture stuff, and then going out to an authentic Napeli restaurant. I also believe that is when I will find out where I will be placed. It is strange thinking that I have not even started what I came out here to do and I am already having such a good time I can't even imagine how much better it is going to get.

I love and miss you all, I am having a great time!!

PS I wrote this over three days so if it changes from past to present that is why. :) Also, I am having a hard time uploading pictures I will get them up ASAP.

LOVE YOU!!