the Nepali group

Last Saturday a lot of the ones associated with the Nepali group got together for a Nepali-themed night. Meaning that many us wore Nepali kurtas, some wore saris (traditionally these are to be worn by married women) and a couple of the men doned the dhaka topi (traditional hat).

As I was customarily late (let's not go there), me and my chicken saag arrived as the main course was nearing completion. I did, however, manage to fill my plate up with some really delicious curries which flavours were a little new to me. One of the Nepali sisters, Anju, is vegetarian and she made a couple of dishes, one of which had chickpeas in it really blew my mind! I'm starting to appreciate the different spices they use a bit more now, and how addictive they are!

Actually, in the afternoon I had gone shopping in Ashfield (Australia's answer to Shanghai, Ho Chi Minh, New Delhi and KTM in one make-shift suburb!) and I went into this Indian grocer to get some 'brown' cardamom (let the reader note: AKA 'black' cardamom)...wow...I never ever thought I could go on a spice shopping-spree...I really had to show some restraint and leave the green cardamom and black sesame seeds for next time! Lucky these joints only take cash;)

After dinner some of the Nepalis danced for us, some needing more coaxing then others! One of the studies, Bhawana, led the procession roping Anju in for a couple of Hindi numbers where they basically dance all the lyrics so you don't really need to understand the language at all...it was pretty hysterical but also very graceful, and Anju, against her wishes put on a convincing performance as a bit of 'tease' to her pursuer, Bhawana (who wore a dhaka topi to distinguish her as the male)!

Bhawana is super out-going! I really love her and her husband, Amos (too cute: theirs is a 'love marriage'; their parents still don't know they're married!), they bring some of the other shyer Nepalis out of their little cardamom husks:)

I was fairly surprised to meet the alter-ego of our little 'shishak' (teacher), Surendra, who will now be eternally known to me as the 'tiny dancer'. He threw off his scholarly restraints for the evening and got 'jiggy with it'! I feel like I know him so much better now:)

It is really special to be able to see the beginnings of the work in the Nepali field in Sydney. At the moment it is like a big family, made up of only two baptised Nepalis, several languages learners and many studies. There is an Australian couple who really mother a lot of the studies showing them a lot of love, which I think is really lovely as most are on their own in Australia. This is something which I want to contribute to, showing lots of love and support, especially while my Nepali is 'naramro' - bad:)