hello everyone! i have just returned to the states after a very wonderful, very quick 27 day trip to nepal. this was my first time back since i left on january 9, 2004. it had been exactly a year and a half. when the pilot announced we were beginning our descent to kathmandu's tribhuvan international airport, i cried. bis minit samma khali ruye. the hillsides and terraced fields were shining with green. it was so beautiful! for the first time in 18 months, i felt like i was home.... i had some personal business in kathmandu that ate up most of my time and was, unfortunately, only blessed with about 4-5 days in my beloved palpa. but it filled my heart with such happiness, such contentedness, and such peace. i had been gone for a year and a half. and a few people (myself included) made the comment that those 18 months passed as if they were 3 or 4 years, but as soon as i returned to our village in palpa, it felt like i had never left. but now i am back in the states, back in my office, feeling empty and sad to be back. but my heart is still happy and at peace knowing that i reconnected with all of those people and the place i love so much and so deeply. knowing that that connection will never be broken. my advice to all of you- go home. even if it's for only two weeks or so. go home. spend time with your family and old friends. visit the places you love. eat your favorite foods (i had it all- palpa ko chukauni, magar bara, samosa choele, tato sel roti, momos....and about 14 eggs in a span of four days!). reconnect with that part of your lives. it will fill you with happiness and peace. you owe it to yourselves. go home and bring a piece of nepal back with you....i stocked up on new nepali cds, palpali dhaka, and some khane kura as well. but, if you do go, just know it will break your heart to leave again....