It has been a while since I have posted because things have been fairly mundane. Tuesday we went to a local botanical garden to let the kids play and run around somehwere new. These were beautiful gardens called the Garden of Dreams. We also ate lunch while were were there.We just relaxed Wednesday, Millie Lynn had her Medical Appointment. That was basically just an appointment to make sure she is healthy, alive and well. They will forward the documents to the U.S. Embassy to have in her file when it is time to issue her Visa.
Thursday I took a flight to see Mount Everest. It was beautiful, breathtaking, magnificent and any other adjective you can think of to describe the world's highest mountain! Rusty did not go because he did not want any turbulence to jar his neck, which was a smart decision. He stayed at the hotel with the other families and Millie Lynn. I however, could not let the opportunity pass me by while I was here. So, I left the hotel at 6:15 a.m. along with the other family with Mineral Wells ties and our pastor friend's wife and headed to the airport. I don't think I slept more than an hour the night before due to the apprehension of the flight and worrying about oversleeping. We flew on a 19 seat, twin engine airplane. It was worth it! The Himalayas were gorgeous! And Mount Everest definitely stood out! I am glad I did it! (On a side note, we weren't going to tell my Mom about the flight until after it was over to spare her the worry. Rusty however, spilled the beans last night when he told her "he didn't think it would be good for his neck to go on the tour". Thanks jabber jaws!)After the Mt. Everest flight, Pastor Vijay took Rusty, Millie Lynn, his wife Cheng and another pastor from Hong Kong, Roy, and myself to tour the city of Kathmandu. Let's just say that this was a "behind the scenes" tour. First, we went to the city's first air-conditioned mall for lunch. Pastor Vijay ordered and the food was very good and fresh. Then, after our stomachs were good and full, and after asking if we were prepared for it, he took us to the city's main Hindu Temple. What a big culture shock!
You will notice that Rusty fits right in with the locals (that's him with the make up on the left!)
This Hindu Temple is one where Hindu people travel from miles around to visit. Today (and I think every day) they were cremating bodies. They have to cremate bodies of their loved ones on the day they pass away. So, in a city as large as Kathmandu, there are usually about 3-5 cremations going on at once any particular time. There are many rituals that they believe in as part of the ceremony. Rituals including, washing themselves and their deceased with the holy water, which is actually water from a dirty river running through the temple land. This water has actually touched the dead body and run back into the river. Other rituals include burning the body by the closest male relatives and the male relatives. They put the body on a large grate surrounded by wood and then cover it with more wood, leaves and cloth. (I tried to get Rusty to go lay down and take a nap on one of the grates while we all looked around, but he wouldn't fall for it. ha! ha!) All of this is watched by hundreds of spectators while cows roam and monkeys run around. Then the closest male relatives remain at the temple for 13 - 45 days after the cremation for a period of mourning. They also believe that they will be reincarnated in some form or fashion according to the good works/deeds they have accomplished throughout their life. The better the work/deed, the better the reincarnation. The cow being the best reincarnation of all. There was sadness all around without a sense of true peace or hope! I am including several pictures!
You will notice that Rusty fits right in with the locals (that's him with the make up on the left!)
This Hindu Temple is one where Hindu people travel from miles around to visit. Today (and I think every day) they were cremating bodies. They have to cremate bodies of their loved ones on the day they pass away. So, in a city as large as Kathmandu, there are usually about 3-5 cremations going on at once any particular time. There are many rituals that they believe in as part of the ceremony. Rituals including, washing themselves and their deceased with the holy water, which is actually water from a dirty river running through the temple land. This water has actually touched the dead body and run back into the river. Other rituals include burning the body by the closest male relatives and the male relatives. They put the body on a large grate surrounded by wood and then cover it with more wood, leaves and cloth. (I tried to get Rusty to go lay down and take a nap on one of the grates while we all looked around, but he wouldn't fall for it. ha! ha!) All of this is watched by hundreds of spectators while cows roam and monkeys run around. Then the closest male relatives remain at the temple for 13 - 45 days after the cremation for a period of mourning. They also believe that they will be reincarnated in some form or fashion according to the good works/deeds they have accomplished throughout their life. The better the work/deed, the better the reincarnation. The cow being the best reincarnation of all. There was sadness all around without a sense of true peace or hope! I am including several pictures!
After our temple tour, we went to Pastor Vijay's school and relaxed for a while and then headed back to the hotel. Pastor Vijay runs the Himalayan Graduate School of Theology. Pastor Roy is visiting for a week and teching a course in Hebrew to the students at the school. Then we ate with the other two families at our hotel.
We are ready to come home! Wednesday night when Grant said that he missed us, Sam quickly asked "Are you kidding?" Uh Oh! I think it's time!
We will post more soon!
Ellen, Rusty and Millie Lynn
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