I apologize for any typos - I forgot my reading glasses and the keyboard is sticky.  Sorry about the photos not making it; Nepali electricity is unpredictable and shut off before I had upload the photos; II'll hope for better luck today.

The bicycle ride home from Rampur was wet.  The Monsoon rains come at  different time every day which makes any outdoor activity  a challlenge.  There are 12 monks and a resident teacher.  The young monks range in age from 10-13, but lookl 6-12.  They have varying levels of Englislh and were quite shy initially.  There's nothing like a rousing lesson on action verbs to breaqk the tension.  I teach twice a day 9:30 to 11:00 and then 3:30 to 5.  By the third lesson they were freely volunteering answers.  Yesterday they learned how to use an Englilsh dictiionaary.  They are eager learners.

I met with the Director and Board of advisosrs lst night to discuss their education.  To my shcck they were only receiving Dharma instruction - Buddha's teachings, no math, no science, no social studies.  Today we started with Math, aand for the rest of the time we are here we will teach Math and Science in the morning and English and Social Studies in the afternoon.  I also noticed that a few of the boys had fungus on their scalps like the boys in Thailand.  The Senior Monk/teacher and I took them to the local health clinic (free!) for treatment.  I am waiting for the RX to be filled here in Rampur and I purchased some anti-fungal powder for them to use on their heads.  In Thailand we used "Sanke Powder".  The monstery dog came with us.

The monastery has been around for over 40 years, but only 4 in this location.  The property is very small.  The boys sleep on mats in the same room they use for classes.  There is one toilet, no shower, a hand pump from a welll; the shrine is on the second floor.  I attended their two prayer sessions today the first at 6 a.m. and the second at 7 a.m..  some of it very familiar.  They have two meals a days and two tea breaks a day.  I spoke with the powers that be that these young boys are not getting enough sleep.  They are up at 5 and in bed at 11, no exercise.  Sometimes they do not hve funds for vegetables - not whiile I'm here.

I am really enjoying the Nepali food; our host is trying to stuff us.  Her young son Sohan who is 11 is my translator.  Tomorrow we will all go to the closest major town - Narangard by bus.  Anita from Italy leaves on Friday and wants to ride on top - ill advised after watching how they drive.

Will try to upload photos again. xo