This post features student writing.

After a fun couple of days in Kathmandu, it was time to head to Salleri, in the Solukhumbu region of Nepal. We ate breakfast and loaded up the three jeeps and started our long drive. After six hours of driving on mountain roads we stopped for lunch. After a rainy lunch we piled back into our jeeps and continued on our way. As we continued driving and jamming out to music we got our first view of the mountains. We stopped for a while to take pictures, then got back on the road. After a long 12 hours we finally arrived in Salleri. We settled into our rooms and ate dinner. After a brief group meeting we went to bed in preparation for our first full day in Salleri.

— Pete C.

Our first full day in Salleri was a pleasant change of pace. Not a minute was spent in a state of cramped transit, the weather cooled and the feeling of putting on a second layer of clothing was strangely liberating. The first half of our day allowed us to ease into our surroundings. After a breakfast consisting of porridge, crepes, and the lovechild of Nutella and marshmallow fluff, appropriately named “Nut City,” we experienced hand washing our own laundry. Some were better than others, but it showed that our washing machines are something we take for granted. The group then started our first volleyball game and it was fun to see us and our Nepali friends get so into it. Lunch was the perfect post-volleyball chowdown and it made me realize how hungry I was. (Props to the kitchen staff.) In the early afternoon, we took a small hike to our service site. It was a vastly bigger project that we all imagined and our first day was spent moving rocks, shoveling, and chipping away at a hill (the kind of work to be expected while laying the foundation to a project far beyond our expertise). Even though it was our first day on the job, I was pooped. Directly afterward, we started our first dance lesson. As we all struggled to hold our first position in a semi-squat, I was in awe of how good our hosts’ knees are. Another game of volleyball happened right after; eventually soccer, badminton, and frisbee had people moving and laughing together. We all funneled into the meal room for a familiar meal of spaghetti. Our family meeting soon followed and we were off to bed. It was an extremely long day and I doubt anyone had trouble getting to sleep.

— Aidan Z.

Note from the leaders: We are without WiFi these days in Salleri and while trekking. We are in contact with the Putney Barn and can receive or send a message to parents if necessary. The students are adjusting well to the lack of tech. One said yesterday that she hasn’t even noticed!