I’ve been to Hetauda for an overnight stay several times since I came to project. And there have been different reasons for the different trips. Firstly, it’s worth mentioning that I’m not that desperate to leave base, so I’m not running to Hetauda in order to run away from life here on project (well, only a little and somewhat obliquely, but that will become clearer in a paragraph or two). One of the things I’ve learnt from travelling is to be kind to myself. I’ve also learned that if I wait until I need a break before I take one then it is way too late. I’m also in the privileged position of not having to worry over every single rupee I’m spending so I don’t have to ration breaks or luxuries. I don’t want to be too profligate, but I don’t have to penny-pinch.
So, what are the reasons for getting off base? And why would I go to Hetauda for this?
The first reason for having a break is that All Hands and Hearts requires all volunteers and staff to have three nights off base once a month. This is basically to help with mental wellbeing. Living and working with the same group of people can get quite intense. This programme (and the one I did in Mexico) is a recovery programme, so it is quite some time since the disaster we are responding too (several years in this case). Other programmes that All Hands and Hearts do are response programmes so immediately after a disaster. Both types of programme can be differently taxing on staff and volunteers, and the effects of working in disaster contexts can be significant. And, in the spirit of affix your own oxygen mask before helping others (you can’t pour from an empty cup), it is important that we look after ourselves so that we are able to healthily and sustainably help others.
Given that a lot of us started at the same time, if we all wait 30 days before going for our first break, we’d all be away at the same time. So I decided to go on my break early to help stagger the timings. I combined my break with New Year because I wanted to avoid NYE celebrations and while things weren’t going to be crazy, there would be some revelling on base.
I also wanted to avoid Christmas (which many of you will know I thoroughly dislike) so I had an overnight stay in Hetauda on Christmas Eve just to try to escape from the festivities on base (so not running away from base or the people here – but definitely running away from Christmas).
Hetauda is 1.5 hours away by bus (it costs about 1GBP for the bus ticket too which is ridiculously cheap) and has some nice hotels and some coffee shops and a supermarket and some ATMs. So it is close enough to be an easy commute (just one bus from outside base into the centre of Hetauda) and is also far enough away to feel like it really is somewhere different. The bus trip itself is also really stunning! Others are taking their breaks a little further afield, Kathmandu, Chitwan (national park), etc. But I’m not that bothered about seeing rhinos, temples, etc, so I’m perfectly happy with Hetauda.
It is nice to have a door I can close. It is nice to have an ensuite bathroom. It is nice to be able to read last thing at night or first thing in the morning with the light on (given I live in a shared dorm room on base, if I read at night it is either outside at the tables / meeting area, or with my kindle backlight down really low and under my covers).
It’s nice to go to a coffee shop and eat whatever I want whenever I want. Don’t get me wrong, the food on base is really lovely, but still, it’s nice to be able to choose between a veg burger or a tofu rice bowl or an egg rice paper roll or sauted vegetables, etc.
On each of my breaks I haven’t been completely alone (though I have had a room to myself). So I’ve been able to have a nice mix of coffee or meals chatting to one of the other volunteers and some meals on my own (or rather, just me and a book, or two).
I’m here for the long haul (several months) and I want to enjoy every second of it. Taking time out is an important part of giving myself the space to reflect on everything that is happening and recharge my batteries. It helps me not get annoyed with the people and things around me, and it gives them a break from me too – I enjoy my own company, but I’m under no illusions, I can be just as annoying as the next person and giving others a break from me is a kindness. 😊
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