I conclude the Bhalam, Kaski series with this post, but before I start sharing stories from elsewhere, I just want to say that I brought back a lot of memories from this trip. The lunch at Tika Dai & Menuka Didi’s house, listening to Gauri Didi’s stories of loss and redemption and the jovial conversations and laughter over some black coffee in Gautam Dai & Kamala Didi’s house.
It was also a very unique experience to visit these farmers who grow coffee which is sold in Nepal and also exported to many other countries in the world, one being Himalayan Java North America – USA, where these beautiful portraits and stories will be housed.
The prints are ready to be sent off to the village. I remember while Tika Dai and I were away at the coffee farm, Menuka Didi had changed and put on her best Sari so that she could have a picture of her and Tika Dai taken. I remember her saying, “Chora, Dai is always busy and I have asked him to have our picture developed but it has not happened. So can you take our picture and send it to us? We don’t have one proper picture of us.” I had promised I would and I am really excited for her to see the pictures.
Last but not the least, thank you all for being so nice, for your messages, and especially for your blessings that keeps me going.
