Getting Ready. . .

First blog ever, second trip to Nepal, third official volunteer with Mindful Medicine Worldwide (MMW).

I have now began my one week countdown to departure. Checking off the boxes of things do to on my list, but continuing to add more boxes of things to be done before I leave. It has been emotionally and physically challenging to prepare and depart for this adventure, I have been preparing for 4 months now. Almost ready. . . .

Received 30lbs of granules from Legendary Herbs 2 days ago, have another 5lbs +/- of various donated patent herbs, another 10lbs +/- of misc acupuncture and moxa supplies. I am manifesting it all adds up to under 50lbs on my scale. That's 1/2 of my checked baggage allowance and pretty much encapsulates my $500 of fundraised money for supplies as required to be a volunteer with MMW.

So whats the mission?

Two months living and working at a Tibetan Buddhist Monastery in the south-eastern Kathmandu Valley. Chapagaon is the rural Newari (indigenous) village and the site is Vajra Varahi Healthcare Clinic. I will be one of two acupuncturists and herbalists working on site all of March/April.

But first. . .

I arrive in Kathmandu Feb 1st (after traveling for 30 hrs), to be greeted by a dear friend Anil at the airport and whisked away to a forest commune retreat center for 10 days.

Next, fly over to north-eastern India to visit the northern most state Sikkim (lovely) then just south to West Bengal (not so nice but lots of Darjeeling tea).

Similar time last year, I was in West Bengal working with the Indian Red Cross and the Laura Louie Hope Projects doing a NADA acupuncture training project for injection drug users and to promote HIV/AIDS education and prevention. So this time around I am lucky enough to meet up with Dr. Laura again, who is there for the 3rd time in the last 12 months! During our first 2 months of work in West Bengal in 09' we trained 7 acupuncture detox specialists, and had them successfully doing the 5NP and running a clean, safe, daily clinic. Since then Dr. Laura has done an advanced training this past Fall to make sure "the guys" were doing the 5NP correctly and to teach them some basic body points to add to their treatments. She has been a great inspiration to me, as she has effectively created multiple sustainable teaching projects, in various countries, to enrich the health and well being of communities in needs.

For further information about my current projects check out the following sites:
http://www.mindfulmedicineworldwide.org/
http://www.lauralouiehopefoundation.org/

Be with you soon!