Now I don’t get sick as often, and it also helps that the air is improving a little bit as the weather changes and there is less wind. But all this has made me aware of our serious global environmental problems. And they will only worsen if we don’t take action. A recent United Nations report estimated that by 2050, 68% of the world’s population will live in urban areas. If cities continue to develop rapidly without better pollution control, then air quality will continue to worsen. As a result, people’s health will also worsen. Since this has had such an effect on me, I may research air quality in Kathmandu more in the future.
Even though living in Kathmandu can be hectic, the people make you feel welcome everywhere you go. It helps that I try to practice my Nepali wherever I go. People light up when they hear me speaking Nepali and will be patient and talk to me for a long time. My host family includes me in all of their activities, too, making me feel like I have a second family. I am also very lucky to be here with a great group of students. We laugh and support each other a lot in classes and outside of classes, too. I can feel my love for Nepal growing by the day. I can’t wait to explore more of the rural areas these next two weeks and then share it all with you! As it is night here, I will bid you all shubaraati (good night)!
