butter, bahinis and the bull

butter


Lost in translation:  it's constant theme these days, but perpetually entertaining

Instead of, 'Ratna-didi, did you go preaching today?', I ask, 'Ratna-didi, did you pray today?'...Rather than, 'Solinar is 12 years old', I point out, 'Solinar is 12 o'clock'...yes, it happens all the time but this is how we learn, right?...through our mistakes, right? right?

An experience the other week though took the cake...

After witnessing late one evening Alana had decided to reward me yet again with the beloved 'A's Bread'n'Butter Pudding'...of which the essential ingredients are clearly: bread and butter...

At the store, the bread, at arm's length, proved no problem to obtain, the butter, however, was another story...

Unaccustomed to our accents, when we requested some 'butter', the lovely shop assistant replied with a smile and a negative shake of the head (interpretation:  'I no understand you'), to which we then slowly and emphatically repeated the same request. Alas, again we were met with the same head shake - 'bujhdina'*...

Remembering I had come across this word recently, I then turned to Alana and said...'hmmm, I'm pretty sure it starts with an "M"', and then mumbled something out like, 'mahhoghawighaogh?' - no success...

Fretting I might miss out on the promised pud, I then took the liberty to look inside the fridge.  Seconds later, butter in hand, I turned to the didi in triumph who then joyfully exclaimed: 'oh bhut-tar!'.  In disbelief I ask, 'but didi, what's the word in Nepali?', to which she answered:  'bhut-tar!' (heavy emphasis on the tongue touching the palate when you pronounce this people- imagine you are ordering 'bhut-tar chicken in Bombay')...Alana and I turned to each other and roared with laughter - you're imagining some convoluted new word to remember, instead you have your English corrected...

'I can't believe it's not butter...'

Walking down the street seconds later I drew Alana's attention to a fan I had just spotted for sale...excitedly she bounded up to the shop assistant and asked for the price, R1700.  Alana, as it appeared, was not born yesterday, and optimistically suggested, 'dhai, discount chaina?' ('dhai, how 'bout a discount?')  Happy to confirm that, 'yes, fan made in China', he look puzzled as we once again made a public spectacle bursting into hysterics at the day's linguistic feats....ahhh good times...

Word from the wise:  if you can't laugh at yourself -> take the next flight home

bahinis

BFFs: Malati + Anamika

For those who know me you would know that I am the youngest of three girls, and therefore, though am little sister to two big sisters, have no little sisters of my own...

On coming to Nepal, one blessing I have found is a few little sisters/bahinis in the ministry and in the congregation...

One bahini, Amrita, is an ek-dam ('very') special 18 yr old girl who my flatmate asked me to call on.  Ritsu had mentioned something about Amrita wanting to know if 'true love'** existed but I did not take much notice at the time...When we met though, sparks flew, and I knew at 'first sight' that this girl was special.

I can't relay all of our discussions but one expression of hers is particularly memorable.  A couple of weeks ago we were studying and I asked her, 'why should we keep looking for the answers to life's most important questions?', she answered: 'because I want my thirst quenched'...Seriously she had me at 'hello!'


Another bahini, Arti, when asked the same question said: 'because if we don't we will be barren inside...'

It is moments like these which make struggling with language the rest of the week a joy.

The bahinis in the congregation also make life interesting.

Like all of us, different sides of our personalities can be seen inside and outside of the kingdom hall.  Inside the hall we all appear to be good girls...It is not until you get us outside and apparently feed us momos that we take on our alter-egos...

by day...
first time as a 'Ghar-dani'**

For example, Angena-bahini looks sweet and timid by day, but hand her a permanent marker and a heart-shaped balloon (don't ask), come night-time this is what can happen...

by night...

Another little bahini in the congregation, Anamika, has worked herself into a little place in my heart.  She recently got baptised and is very serious about living up to her dedication.  I asked her to come on my bible study with Sandhya the other day, and I was really touched at her earnestness and passion as she explained about Isaac and Abraham (a story I honestly can say I wasn't looking forward to explaining...).  Afterwards she told me she that she wants to serve where the need is greater when she is older (with her bestie, Malati) so she plans to use this time to 'practise' (insert urge to squeeze cheeks).

and the bull...

You have no doubt heard that Nepal is a predominantly Hindu country of which the 'holy cow' is of great importance...Although not allowed to kill the cow for food or clothing, not much care is given these poor animals.  True, people keep out of their way and let them roam the streets without harassment, but occasionally when you see them rummaging through rubbish, the thought occurs that perhaps a little more human interaction would not hurt.  Thus was my thought one morning recently.

I was witnessing with my friend Sayara when we passed, what I later realised was actually a bull, and a sudden impulse came to me to share some prem ('love') and greet it...On approaching, I turned slightly, pressed my hands together and said: 'namaste'^ to the bull...well, the jury is out on whether it was annoyed by the salutation, or rather, moved by a long-suppressed desire to be loved...Whichever the case, on being acknowledged with a sudden head-butt, I think I'll be remaining silent next encounter...

mooooooooooooooooo

* 'Bujhdina' - Nepali for: 'I don't understand'
^ 'Namaste' - Nepali greeting.  Its original meaning in Sanskrit is:  'I bow to the god within you'...

**  It just so happens that I did have 'the' conversation about 'true love' with Amrita.  I can't say I felt completely equipped for it, and when she brought up 'Romeo and Juliet's' star-crossed love, the only thoughts which came to mind were scenes from dad's wedding ceremonies...(hmmm probably too complicated to discuss the different Greek words for love right?) - thank goodness for the Young People Ask book

^^ Ghar-dani - Nepali for 'householder'