A day of information, new friends and legends

Part of orientation, volunteers visit Temple Barahi.

Legend says, wait - that doesn’t sound right, maybe I should be honest and tell you my guidebook to Nepal says that according to legend- a long, long, long time ago the Phewa Tal lake was not a lake at all. It was a simple valley and an entire village resided in the bottom of what is now a lake. And one day a goddess tested all the villagers- a test which most of them failed.

A goddess, disguised as a beggar woman wandered into town and asked for help and everyone - except one - turned the beggar down. According to this legend written in my guidebook, the beggar woman revealed herself as the goddess Barahi to the family that helped her and she warned them to hike to higher ground. They listened to her and avoided drowning in the flood-take-lake the goddess created out of spite towards the selfish villagers that remained in the bottom of the valley. This legend is relevant today because there is now a temple on an island in the middle of the Phewa Tal dedicated to the goddess and many locals and tourists alike visit the Temple Barahi daily.

On a volunteer’s second day, as part of their orientation to Pokhara, they are treated to a boat ride across to explore the temple and take in the views of Pokhara and the world peace pagoda from the island.

After a night and leisurely morning spent getting to know their host family, volunteers are picked up by staff and shown how to use the local buses to get from their new homes into lakeside. Next, they are taken to a café that has amazing views of the lake and weather permitting the Himalayas, the world peace pagoda and Sarankot (a smallish mountain that is also the take-off zone for adventurous para-gliders). Aside from great views and delicious drinks, the quiet café is where volunteers are debriefed on the do’s and don’ts of their stay and given more information about the work they will be doing. It’s not all business though, as there’s always plenty to discuss about where everyone’s from, their hobbies and what kinds of side trips and exploring throughout Nepal is on offer.

Emelye from Wales, jumps off a boat after her island visit.

Next, they get to go to the island temple and then walk around the touristy part of Pokhara to get acquainted with the area. Next, they get to go to the daily meeting with all of the other volunteers. Once announcements are made the meeting turns into a relaxed meet and greet and somehow quicker than you would expect, the day has passed.

It’s a day full of information, new friends (even if you don’t know it yet) and legends. It’s a great first full day in Pokhara and it’s a day I personally love spending with the volunteers.

A day of information, new friends and legends