Day 13 - Installation of the Water Pipe
We met down in the lobby of the hotel at 6AM where our driver was already waiting for us. We loaded our gear and headed out
of town for Kabilash one more time. Being the earliest that we have managed to leave traffic was very lite. The city was just
waking up for another hectic day. We scrambled to get out of the city before things heated up. We made good time and made it
to our favorite fried dough (sel roti). This was the place where we tested the water a few days ago so now we are famous and
people recognize us and wave when we pass by. We made it to the top of the mountain that surrounds Kathmandu valley in
less than one hour our best time yet. As we crossed the top we enter Kabilash Valley and the round gets rough. We passed
through the police check point as we entered the more natural area where they protect the resources from poachers and
thieves. There were very few cars on the road and there hadn't been any rain for the past few days so we made good time. The
roughest part of the ride had been passing through a wet spot with big pot holes but the road construction added gravel so we
made it through this time with no trouble. We rounded the top of the montain and started to descend into the valley. The turns
and swithcbacks give us beautiful views of the valley and rice terraces in the clear morning air. As we arrived at the bottom
Madhav called the Mayor and he insisteed we stop by his house for tea and breakfast. We turned off the road and stopped. His
wife made us dishes of rice, dhal, pumpkin vine, aloo potatoes, green beans, grapes and cherries. Of course we had masala tea
and black tea for Jeff. The May had gone to the local water department to get detailed drawings and plans for biolding a below
ground water storage tank. We reviewed our plans and after a brief visit we assended the mountain to Kabilash village. It was
the start of a religious holiday when people make a pilgramage to a temple near by so there were busses also assending the
trail. TRAIL - it's a dirt road, full of pot holes, tight turns, the buppiest part of the ride and there were full sized tour busses on it.
As we rounded a turn one us was stuck in a wet spot. The people stepped down from the bus, the women in their formal robes
and the men collected rocks to toss under the bus and help push it out of the mud. We helped a little by also collecting rocks
and we watched in amazement. Finally the bus climbed out of the hole and the next one made it though now having rocks to
help with traction. Our driver drove though with no trouble and then we passed the busses on the narrow trail. We reached our
final destination at the top of the hill and our crew was witing for us. We unloaded our gear, held a team meeting and then
people wnet off in directions to start the work. We inspected the pipe which arrived the day before from the factory outside
Kathmandu. It was such a relief to finally see the pipe, all 15 rolls (1,500meters). We hope to order more in the coming weeks to
further build out the water system to the remote parts of the village but 15 rolls will bring the water into the center of the village
from our source. The men carried rolls of pipe wighing 78lbs each. Jaff and Madhav went with the men to inspect the cement
spring box and oversee installation of the first 3 rolls of pipe. Rick and Cordella tested water at the school and then mapped the
remote corners of the village where there are 6 settlements with about 6 houses in each. They measured elevations where the
tank will go and the distances to the houses. As it neared noon the day got very hot - nearly 100deg.F. Worked slowed and
people sought shade. Heat stroke is a real threat this time of year being so dry and little wind in the area. As we regained our
strength work continued. Rick and Cordella entertained the children from the school making origami boxes, drawing and trying
to share some time together depsite having almost no way to communite due to language barriers. Jaff and Madhav returnded
from the water source and we reviewed our accomplishments. Everyone wss very happy with the amount of work
accomplished in just one week. We met with the mayr and provided him with the funding to purchase materials and construct
the water storage tank. We said good byes to everyone (ferry batola) until we meet again. We stopped at the bottom of the
mountain for a cold drink and then started the long drive back to Kathmandu. It was a very satisfying feeling as we though
about what we accomplished.