This is the third week of teaching the blind students at Seeing Hands in Pokhara. We have been making huge leaps forwards with the practical massage and a few leaps backwards with the theory.

The students have all been massaging volunteers - tourists and nepalis. They are so accustomed to their prepared speech which describes the treatments available (full body and half body massage) and the cost that getting them to simply say "lower body massage or upper body massage" has been a challenge in itself. I am not surprised. Their way of learning the theory is much the same - learning paragraphs off my heart without actually understanding the text.

When i think of the few nepali words i have learnt here - i am so impressed with what they are capable of. Mastering "up" oculo and "down" arculo took me most of a day and even now i am sure Sue (one of Seeing Hands founders) will tell me i am wrong. The reason for needing these two words is quite simple and scary.....

Ever since i arrived in Pokhara i wanted to take a boat ride onto the lake. I have watched the sun setting over the serene water with the back drop of mountains almost daily. The peace is palpable until you walk into a passing cow/dog in the street. On top of a smaller mountain (not the Annapurna range) there is a beautiful Temple that you can see on the days that are clear. It is known as the World Peace Pagoda or "stupa".

I decided to take the students on this boating trip last Saturday - our day off. Chiran's sister-in-law was in charge of one of the boats so we took hers. All the students looked so smart - dressed for a night out on the tiles - with heels, earrings and the boys wearing jackets and proper shoes. 3 hours later to my utter amazement we had not only paddled across the lake but had actually climbed up this steep, uneven path to the Pagoda. The sense of achievement was written on all their faces and the sweat pouring down mine! Crazy, mad, insane are some words that spring to mind. It was not my idea - but i am so fortunate to have shared this day with these gorgeous people. Coming down we laughed so much...Govinder charging as usual with Swasti on his arm - heels flying in every direction. I walked very slowly with Chiran and Laxmi and Chiran;s sister-in-law walked with her sister. On the lake coming back the girls started singing...everyone on the lake turned to watch and listen - such hauntingly beautiful voices floating across the lake. the boys joined in.

I was speechless......

For more information about Seeing Hands Charity-please visit: http://www.seeinghandsnepal.org/

Here i am in Pokhara - 2 weeks into my volunteering position at the Seeing Hands Massage Clinic. As usual at 8pm at night the electricity has just gone off...we all get to experience the "blind path" at some stage in Nepal! My torch has been my trusty companion.

Nepal truely does have a way of getting under your skin - quite literally. The students have completely won me over. From day 1 their eagerness to please the new volunteer was charming. The qualified therapists likewise. Chiran who is married to Anita, and Samrat eased me in gently. Their good standard of english has been a god send. Without them - teaching theory would have felt like trekking up the Annapurna mountains backwards - slow going!

The clinic is simply beautiful. Three rooms - a training room and two large treatment rooms - clean, tidy, spacious and welcoming. The therapists could not be more professional and efficient. There is even a bell under the couch to summon your therapist into the room when you have removed your clothes. A basket under the couch also contains a talking clock for time keeping and the lotion. I am learning a great deal about towelling techniques to protect the clients "sensitive areas" as they are referred to.

The students personalities are shining through now they are comfortable with me. Not always a blessing! Govinder - the goofy boy, all lanky legs and arms is proving himself to be a sensitive and gentle therapist when treating the ladies. Quite unlike his usual turbo charged self while learning the techniques with his partner Chiran. Chiran is definitely the cool customer of the group. Akready married at 20, he did not need to be shown how to undo a bra when massaging the back. Govinder and Samrat spend a good 20minutes learning this particular technique. Govinder's comment:"This is really hard work"! Chiran is confident, and capable much like Swasti as she prefers to be called for reasons other than you can imagine. She is defnitely the daredevil - the "wild child" in some respects who yawns the moment theory classes start until they finish. Laxmi is the sweet, shy, and very tactile member of the group - much stronger than she looks when it comes to giving a massage so Chiran discovered.

The routine has been estavlished. Every day starts with 30minutes of exercise - i'm still amazed by their spatial awareness. Govinder is the only member of the group with some sight and yet they all manage to do star jumps and jog on the spot without hitting each other. I have introduced some "core pilates" work as their postures are so important to protect their backs. My pilates teacher back at home would be proud (or horrified). My stretching mantra has reached Pokhara. The difference being i winess the 15 minutes of daily stretching and know it's being done properly!!! Theory follows and lots of breaks as the attention span is limited. They all love the practical work. Progress is huge one day and forgotten completely the next. Confidence is always there and an enthusiasm that is contagious.

As one American client commented - " I have travelled the world and had many different massages in many countries. Never have i had such a thorough massage. When are you bringing this idea to the States?". Praise indeed.

Namaste