Kathmandu, Nepal_ factory visit

The main purpose of the trip to Kathmandu, Nepal was to see the EAP factory and develop new products. I had no idea how being there working with them it would be so inspiring! The workers were so sweet and friendly as we wondered around them watching them and taking pictures. They probably made fun of us when we would pick up some edge trim or grass and exclaim it's glorious beauty. The bright colors they wear in contrast to the dirt floors and metal roof they worked under magnified their beauty and infused life into the space. But it's like that all over the city. Take the people out and your are left with run-down buildings, unfinished construction, trash, dirt and pollution.

This is Lakpa Sherpa. The owner of the factory we work with in Kathmandu. He is from the tribe in the Himalayas of the Sherpa people.

He is the sweetest man and had the best belly laugh I have ever heard. I often grilled him on questions about what we were seeing, where he was from, what his childhood was like, what he thinks about the Maoists (he never answered that one). I couldn't help my curiosity!

This is the guard at the factory. He has one job. It is to open the gate for anyone that enters. He probably only did it twice a day. The rest of the day he napped. Older men in nepal wear these hats that have cool patterns and bright colors. We had an inside joke but since we could speak each others languages I am not exactly sure what it was about.

The Looms in the factory.

Lunch break.

Hand cut lawns.

These gals had great eye make-up.

This is another part of the 'factory'. With their mild weather it's actually quite lovely to work out there with fresh air (as fresh as air can be in pollution) and shade.

Trying to impress my boss with my creativity.

This women cooked everyday for us. SO GOOD.

Lunchtime