Scenes from the big city

It is so fascinating to observe all that goes on in this busy city. Some of it is humorous, some of it is intriguing, some of it is heartbreaking... Getting a shave

This just means that they are good friends.
This little chipmunk was hanging out at our hotel.

It's not uncommon to see whole families on one moped.

Sacrifices to a tree.

Wouldn't want to have to figure that out!

Dumping out coal.

Carrying goods

Selling fruit

A different meaning for a "phone booth"

Working hard

Shopping

Teamwork

Construction site...hope it's safer than it looks!

Not sure what they're doing...seemed like medicine.

This looks like it could fall in.

The BIG Event at the Mall

We had several hours to kill before we headed to the airport, so we went to this mall. There were red carpets everywhere and we couldn't figure out why...as the night progressed, the excitement built! There were photographers...
lots of security (they wouldn't let you step on the red carpet, which was down every corridor)...

Loud music...

that these teammates couldn't resist dancing to!

A crowd was gathering.

Finally, a sign to give a hint...

The moment arrived...it was a fashion show!

More models...

Models leave...the whole thing took less than 10 minutes by the time the models got to the center stage... was a letdown after the hours of wondering and watching the preparation!

We just pretended like they all came to throw us a going away party!

Some crazy signs!

This is a cool place to shop...there are separate areas for different goods...wood carved, marble carved, jewelry, etc...it's huge. You pick what you want from an area and take it to the counter. They scan it in and have it delievered to a pick up spot near the exit. You pay for everything at once at the end and then pick up your stuff...no hauling it around! Cool!

This sign reminds me of an experience we had at a mall. JJ, Carolyn, and I were shopping together in this store that's similar to a Bed, Bath, & Beyond. They had tons of employees and at least one in each area. We must have looked like cheats or thugs to them because the employees shadowed our every move. If we picked something up to look at it (which we tend to do when shopping), they would come right up on us.

We got a little sassy in the dish session where there was just one employee...we'd gather in a spot and look at something and then all three head in a different direction at once to look at something else to mess with him...I'm sure he was very thankful when we left the store! They did not shadow the nationals shopping, so it made us wonder what their thoughts about Americans are!

Idols are everywhere at this shopping place.
At KFC

Thanking the Hotel Staff

The hotel staff takes such good care of us while we are here! We brought them some gifts as a thank you.

Because of the culture, only the men shook their hands in thanks.

End of Day 2

These women and children were working on the roof of the house near where our bus was waiting...we passed out some candy to the kids.

Heartbreaking visit

As we were waiting for the last team to get back, Kevin shared with the family right off the path.

It was heartbreaking to hear these women express their fear of punishment from their mother god if we/they talked to our Father.

More from Day 2

This little girl was our shadow and spent the rest of the time on the trail with us...she is precious!This family was working in a field on our way out.

We left some music with these children.

He was checking out the music.

Other Hotel Happenings

Is that not an unbelievable view?

Roomies!
Our awesome translators

Another view

Part of the Lodge

Singing

Eating with a beautiful view

It was cloudy/overcast the whole time we were there...this the only time we even got a peek of the snow caps...you can look at my photos from my trip in 2007 to see them better...the Himalayan Mountains are amazing! I think the entry is called "mountains"...creative, huh!? I was sad the first timers didn't get a better view of them.