Dedicated to Sundes

So, I just finished talking with my Academic Director, Beau. He just wanted to talk to each of us individually to see how we are adjusting, and what are thoughts are about our ISP (independent study projects).



I dedicate this post to Sundes, because if she were here she would be the first to object to my classmates in this:



One of the main things we have been talking about as we adjust to our new Nepali lives is difference and otherness. We, as foreigners, are very much Other to the mainstream Nepali culture, but something that has been bothering me is that in pretty much every conversation, one of my classmates has stood up and said; "well, we all stand out because we are obviously white and therefore Other in Nepal".



Uhm. Hi. My name is Briana and I am not white.



*cough* .....



In fact, multiple locals now have approached me, speaking Nepali and asking me if I am Indian. I say no. Nepali? They ask. No. Not Nepali either.

Hmmm....maybe I am not so obviously other.
Anyway, I was talking to my director Beau about this, and he confirmed my suspitions/fears that I very well may appear to be more of a local at first glance. Why does that affect my stance when my lovely classmates stand and make such generalizations about us as outsiders?
Perhaps when a white friend of mine goes to a shop, they are not expected to know certain things. How much something cost, when its rude to bargain or not bargain, how to interact with different hierarchies of people, men and women -- all of these are excused immediately for my obviously Other friends.
For me, not as obviously, not so quickly. Already a few bus money guys have gotten annoyed at me for staring at them blankly when they try to ask me where I am going or try to get me to pay. When I walk down the street, people I pass may have certain expectations of me that I have no concept of what it might mean.

At this point, I still don't know what it means. My experience here will, perhaps, have a slightly different flavor than that of my other American friends. What that will be -- I guess I will find out.

however, just as a quick disclaimer: my classmates here are all really wonderful, and none of them mean any harm in their statements. But, when I talked to my director, he thought it would be a good idea to bring this perpective up to the others -- awareness is always a good thing :)

Anyway, I love you guys and will give you more experiential updates soon!

looooove