Namaste, my friends...

As I sit here looking at all of the pictures from Nepal and remembering all the amazing things I got to see and do, it seems a bit surreal. It's 5:14am and I can't sleep, probably because it's 5pm in Nepal, and also because I haven't had a chance to unwind from the trip yet. Although it feels good to be home with my family and friends, I already miss being in Nepal! I had a wonderful, very educational and fun trip and hope to go back someday! 

I feel like if I tried to all of the things we did in Nepal into this last blog post, I would be missing a lot and also it would be 400 pages long. Instead, I would mostly just like to thank all those who made this opportunity possible. 

I would especially like to thank Shobha, my professor, for organizing and planning this study abroad trip. When I first heard about it in January, I blew it off. There was no way I could go to Nepal and I just didn't really even think about it. As the semester progressed and I was learning and reading more about what an awesome place it is, I got more interested but still thought I would have no way to go financially. Over spring break I read Little Princes (a book we read for Travelling Across South Asia class) and loved it. I was smitten. After a talk with Shobha and then my dad, it was decided that I would be going to Nepal after all. That was the end of March. I am so glad that Shobha encouraged me to go on this trip- it has definitely been life-changing and amazing. Also thanks to Emily Dean for coming on this trip and for putting up with all of us!

I also feel very lucky to have such wonderful parents for helping me do crazy things, like go to Nepal on a months notice. 

Thank you to the Little Angel's staff, who worked so hard and made this trip amazing. I met some really wonderful people from the LA school and feel blessed to know them. They definitely show what Nepal is all about- and beyond. They were the most gracious and kind people. If I could spell everyone's name properly, I would write names- but since we all know that's not my strong point- we'll just leave it at that. 

And of course I need to thank my peers who were also on this trip of a lifetime. Lauren, Justin, Shaun and Drew were all strangers to me before we got to the Las Vegas airport. I was a little worried that I didn't know anyone but that changed very quickly. 

Thanks especially to Lauren for being my roomie and putting up with me- even when I was being "intense". Seriously, I didn't know how it would be to share a room with someone I had never met but I'm sure glad it was with you. I am pretty bummed that I didn't know you during your time at SUU but I hope grad school is amazing! 

Justin and I got the pleasure of sitting next to each other for about 40 hours on a plane. I don't think I could have asked for a better plane buddy. I admire you for not caring what people think about you and for doing your own thing. You're a pretty rad lone wolf, my friend. 

Shaun, I definitely admire your willingness to try new things and your open mind. I admire how you looked at everything from a fresh perspective and were always up for trying anything at least once. Thanks for making this a very fun trip.

Drew, twas a pleasure to meet you and hear about all your exciting travel adventures! Thanks for making this trip fun, even when it didn't go as planned. Your sense of adventure and your love for life definitely made Nepal great. 

Nepal is the most beautiful, interesting and wonderful place and I got to experience it with some of the best people. Thanks again to everyone for making my first international trip a very successful and fun. 

NAMASTE! :)