It was difficult to say goodbye to my dear friends in Nepal.  I feel a special connection with leprosy affected Nepalis.  I have now "worked" on all of the patients with ulcers at READ Nepal, cutting away their necrotic flesh which is like carving on hard cheese that has been sitting out for days, cleaning their ongoing wounds and then dressing their wounds.  The patients love me, and I love them.  This was a new experience for me and the kind nurse worked patiently along side me as I got better at it each time.  Leprosy patients do not feel pain because they lose sensitivity in their limbs if not treated quickly with MDT after being diagnosed with leprosy.  I was never sure how deep to cut and occasionally drew blood.  Drawing blood I was told helped to clean the wound better and was not a problem.




Leaving Nepal was both difficult emotionally and logistically.  A Bhunda had been called on my departure day completely shutting down the Kathmandu valley and surrounding districts.  A full Bhunda not only closes all roads, but also closes all businesses.  To venture out with a vehicle during a bhunda brings the risk that your vehicle may be burned and destroyed.  To open a shop also brings negative consequences.

When I learned of the upcoming bhunda, I did some quick thinking as to how I was going to make my flight.  I had wanted to sleep in the READ Nepal leprosy wound care ward for a long time but hadn't managed to accomplish my goal of sleeping side by side with my leprosy friends yet.  I wanted to experience first hand what life was like for them on a daily basis.  I cannot relate to leprosy as I have never had it, but I can relate to what it is like to lie on a hard mat with mosquito's swarming around and everybody is snoring loudly in an unheated room.



I had a good nights rest with my friends before we piled my bags onto Raj Kumar's "scooty" for the one mile or so walk to the airport.  Nepalis are early risers, I am not...  They usually wake up and get going around 5am.  Nepalis also love music.  When they play music, they like to turn it up just past the distortion point.  The radio was next to my bed so after going to sleep late, I was suddenly awakened to blaring Nepali music just a few inches from my left ear, of course at the distortion level...

After a lot of goodbyes and tears from a few of my leprosy affected friends, we did a round of hugs and Namaste's and then set off for the airport. 



























We walked straight up the middle of Ring Road which is normally bumper to bumper traffic with buses, vehicles, motorcycles, tuk tuks etc weaving through traffic.  We only shared the road with a number of other pedestrians who were also attempting to walk to wherever they were heading that day.





My favorite was the Badeshi (foreigner) on the back of a vegetable cart who was trying to get to the airport.







I have already had emails from many of my friends in Nepal concerned that I reached the USA safely.  They all want to know when I will return of course.  That date is still to be determined.  I will write more this week and include photos from my previous blog as well as complete the Phaplu trip details from the Tilganga eye surgery camp as well as HAND's future plans in Nepal.

I want to give special thanks to Kate Earle for donating 7 weeks of her valuable time to serve Nepalis in need. 

Brian















































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