Our Flight Home and Summary
We took the shuttle van from Apsara Boutique Hotel to the airport at 4PM, giving us plenty of extra time in case of a traffic jam.
We went through 2 security checks, frisks, x-rays, and passport control points, we checked our bags at the flyDubai check-in
counter, we went through 3 more security checks, frisks, x-rays, and passport control points, and then finally made it to the
waiting area. The 4 standalone air conditioning units (one in each corner of the waiting area) was just enough to add some
comfort if we sat very, very still. Cordella preferred to stand directly in front of one of the units because she couldn't feel the a/c
at all. Thei plane was on-time. We went through another passport/boarding pass check AND frisk, and walked out onto the
tarmac to the plane. Then one final boarding pass check by a flight attendant to determine whether we boarded at the front or
the back of the plane, and THEN we walked up the stairway onto the plane. It was a total of about 32 hours travel time if we add
the 9 hours of layovers in Dubai and NY. We slept, watched movies, played video games, and read to pass the time. In Dubai,
we waited in line as everyone was required to check their cameras and laptops, basically any electronics larger than a
cellphone. Undoubtedly, the system was time consuming for everyone -- passengers and airline / security personnel alike -- but
fairly well organized considering the recent and immediate electronics restrictions imposed on flights from Muslim-majority
countries to the USA. Rick put all our size-prohibited electronics in his carry-on and checked it. Mostly everyone else had theirs
bubble-wrapped and put into individual cardboard boxes, provided free of charge by Emirates, to be checked, This also made it
a bit chaotic when we arrived in JFK and had to stand in line with everyone trying to retrieve their lookalike boxes. This new
experience comes with our recommendation to keep a broad-tipped Sharpie/permanent marker and/or stickers and/or
colorful, easy-to-tear duct/masking/paint tape handy so you can quickly mark YOUR cardboard box. After a 4-hour layover in
JFK, the last leg of the trip went quickly and we landed in WPB 30-minutes early. Rick's parents were waiting for us. All our bags
made it and all the items we brought home survived the trip. The first difference we noticed was the smooth asphalt of I-95 and
how briskly traffic was moving along. There is no road in Nepal that comes close to resembling our highways. We dropped off
Madhav at his home and he was greeted in the driveway by his son. We pulled into our own driveway a little after 6PM and
immediately started unpacking, telling stories and showing pictures to our captive audience - Troy, Julie, and Rick's parents.
SUMMARY
Each water project is unique and each trip has its adventures and challenges. This turned out to be an international negotiation and policy venture. While we didn't get a chance to participate in the construction of our well, installation of our pump, or see the delivery of our pipe, we are 100% assured it will all be constructed and installed, as agreed upon by the Water Committee and our local contractor. We earned the trust of the people from both sides of the village of Aapchour. We earned the respect from so many people we met and who helped us - our drivers, hotel workers, students, university professors, and even people we met in stores and on the streets of Kathmandu. When they heard of our work they were amazed and impressed by our sincere efforts. We were invited into countless homes for tea and to share a meal. We could feel the people growing closer and welcoming us not as tourists but as friends. Installation of the two BloomSky weather stations planted a seed of climate awareness and interest. The ram pump demonstrations displayed our open mindedness, interest, and ability to find and apply suitable technology. "What was old is new again" became the mantra. We formed strong relationships which could, in the future, open opportunities for us to continue helping improve the lives of the people in the Nuwakot District of Nepal. We don't feel as though just bringing drinking water to the village was our main accomplishment on this trip. It was explained to us that we brought dignity and respect to the people of the village. As strangers, we earned mutual trust, understanding, and caring for one another. We shared our resources, skills, and experiences and in return we gained an insight into what makes a village and what holds society together --- relationships and respect.We gratefully thank everyone who supported this effort, donated money, donated equipment and supplies, attended our fund raisers, hosted fund raisers, worked at the fund raisers, helped organize the project, and the people who encourage us to continue our work in Nepal.