Nepal – Affinities that create friendships
Some friendships are born from shared affinities, others happen after moments of crisis, in my case it was a combination of the two situations that happened during my trip to Nepal.
I met Melinda Salzman at the Peace Education event I attended. She has been involved with the IIPE group for a long time. She has a degree in Social Work, and has worked as a psychotherapist for over 40 years. In her work she helps people deal with loss, suffering, depression and anxiety. Her work as a facilitator covers groups or individuals with different challenging situations.
She also works at George Washington University in the Medical School teaching students in their first years to create an empathetic approach with their patients. In short, she is an open, curious and excellent listener.
During the days we were together we created an instant friendship, we talked between activities and ended up creating a bond of complicity.
From the first day I noticed an unusual situation regarding her health, a type of involuntary sound that escaped occasionally, something that, according to traditional western medicine, was finding it difficult to diagnose and treat. I felt compassionate for her situation and invited her to come with me to an appointment with a Tibetan doctor to see if something could be done about it. As I had already planned to undergo a consultation and bring some Tibetan medicines for myself and some patients, it would not be in vain to carry out an evaluation, after all there are many disorders that are treatable with the wisdom of this ancient medicine and that in Western medicine there are no treatments available. She agreed and we met in Kathmandu after the event ended.
Together we spent the day, went to the appointment, had lunch in a typical Nepali restaurant and ended up meeting Yogesh, a guardian angel sent by Gunjan to help me with a problem I had with my international debit card.
Knowing how to ask for and receive help is something I learned over many hardships. In the past, I thought the “problem was mine” and I had to solve everything myself, without disturbing anyone else’s life…
Today, after a long period of learning and suffering, I have completely changed. I don’t go around asking for help, but if things get tough I scream and call for backup! Incredibly, on these occasions, life is generous and the “right person” always appears. Counting on the help of strangers has become normal for me, the airport guard, the street vendor, the taxi driver, the friend of a friend, the hostel receptionist, in short, everyone at some point helped me to align my path when I was in need of aid. It’s kind of miraculous, the kindness of people is there, but our distrust sometimes gets in the way and we suffer alone with adversities.
After the money issue was resolved, Yogesh offered himself to accompany us the next day to go shopping in the city. He took us off the tourist circuit to a collaborative store for single women who help each other and has a huge range of products. We were delighted with the diversity and with his initiative to help us and also the women who resell their products in the store. The situation was good for everyone, the prices were fair, the products were great, the service was excellent and the end result was helping this group of women. We remember that in Nepal the life of single or separated women is not easy, society still has rigid values regarding the position of these women and many experience difficulties precisely because they are isolated and without a support network. Below is a photo of me and Yogesh while we were shopping.
Think of a store that has it all! Handcrafted pieces, paintings, bags, clothes, typical dolls, even a stuffed Yak! Cutest thing! There are several floors with lots of beautiful things, ideal for buying gifts and souvenirs from Nepal.
Handmade products are the main attraction of the store, which also has a sewing workshop and creates clothes with traditional and custom fabrics. The owner became our friend too, she was enchanted by our vitality and wanted to record this moment by taking photos with us.
After shopping we went to have lunch at a delicious restaurant on the other side of the city, the plan was to visit other tourist sites but time passed so quickly with such a good conversation that we ended up putting aside the plan and just enjoying the company and learning more about the hospitality and generosity of the Nepalese.
I loved this opportunity to spend time together, meet special people with this duo who made my trip even more delightful, as well as deepening the bonds of friendship we made during this period.
To end my trip, on the airport tarmac I met this beautiful old little lady, dressed traditionally, ready to board the plane with members of her family. I couldn’t resist so I asked to take one last photo, an image to keep in the heart of these charming, happy, noble and spiritualized people.
I know that one day I will return. I felt so happy, safe, embraced and welcomed in this country, I really think I have a spiritual connection with its mountains, with Buddhism and the practical spirituality of these people. There is a very special place in my heart for this country and these memories. See you one day! Namaste Nepal!
Regina Proença
