Drinking water from wash basin

Water is fundamental whenever you are out. It is like necessity to make you quench your thirst of even feel confident. I belong to the world where drinking water is virtually difficult.Nepal is second richest country in fresh water.Water is at its natural condition in some areas of Kathmandu and rural Nepal and one can drink water directly from source like dhunge dhara, or common tap. However, in most city areas, the water availability is less and  have to go through series of water filtration and processings to get drinkable water which I believe is a shame on claiming to be wealthy on fresh water resources..

My sister Amreeta trying to drink ambient water from local stone spout in Badikhel, Lalitpur

In core city areas like Balaju and Ghattekulo, I remember waking up at midnight trying to fill up water in tanky or at least in some jars. This is not uncommon for any of city dweller Nepalese. The condition is more or less similar in many of metropolis of many countries. With the concept of efficient use of water with water treatment technologies, the water that comes is different to that comes in kitchen basin. So, it is very important to drink water only from prescribed place either filter or euroguard or boiled water. At least one is not supposed to drink from wash basin anywhere in house.

Crowd for drinking water which has to go through series of filtration( demotix.com)

I had all these in my head before i left for Norway. I have weird yet wonderful experience the second day of my class in University. At second hour of regular class, My water bottle was empty and my thirst was  unbearable.As it was an hourly break for 15 minutes, most of the students were out for being fresh. I turned back of my desk, saw a blonde guy, with tatoo and like a modern hipup guy.I thought myself inferior like as i was poorly dressed, still tired of long travel and had tired eyes. I decided not to talk. Ohh! it was unbearable and there were no students so close to me despite my Nepali friends and some internationals from Asia.

 I came to think, how long will i talk to myself and avoided the companywhich i choosed by choosing to come to foreign country. I choosed to adjust with aliens and I should not be afraid of my reality. So I turned back greeted him, talked for a while thugh it was hard for both of us to undersand each others tone. But, he was soft despite his looks. He was a Norwagean and was in Aquatic Ecology course. After sometine I came  to the point and asked him where I could fill some drining water. He pointed to washing basin at right corner and class and said

 'Well, you can dring water from washing basin',

 And that sounded weird to me. But i could not get angry and i asked for reconfirmetion,

 'Is it? Do you drink from there?

 Some blonde students near him were looking at me in amusement. He confirmed 'ya ya... we drink from there'.

I had no choice. I filled up my bottle and quenched my thirst.

Filling my water bottle from wash basin :D

Since then I have been drinking from any wash basin I see in University. It might sound weird but also from washroom. And so does everyone.

The three layer carbon examination copy paper

It is obvious to have cultural shocks when you are in foreign places. Although Globalisation  has brought the world near, there many experiences that are wished to share.

Nepal and Norway, although similar in geographic setting, have a number of variance.Its like you experience everyting new when you do an activity for first time. I had exam, few days ago and want to share.

1) I was so impressed to bring a copy of my answersheets!!  
It is common for many of us to fear and question yourself after examination, ' Did I actually write what I meant?' or You have to recall hard ' ohh how did I answered this?' . Actually,You can see what you wrote in your exam with comfortable seat in sofa and drink in Norway!! 

You will be given three layered examination copy paper. When you write, you will be actually making three copies, One for your professor or course examiner, one for exam controller and the third for yourself. And You get extra time to seperate your answer sheets into three copies after you finish writing. 

My copy of my exam sheets

2) Exam actually starts 15 minute before the start time.

We were given time of 9:15 am  for the course examination by our course instructor and said it is good to be there at 8:45am.I reached the hall at 8:45 am. It made me check the time again as most of the examinees were in the room already. Almost seats packed. Ohh no! I had no choice than choosing one at front . Two of my Nepali friends arrived at 9:13, being punctual however was late here. The examinator had a lot to say to them regarding the time. She said you should be in the examination hall before 30 minutes actually receiving a answer copy. Yea, it could be auruable that we usually go earlier to examination hall in Nepal too but it is not common to get your questions before 15 minutes of scheduled exam time.

3) The guard will follow you to washroom.

Dont you think this weird? But it happens in Norway.
I was a kind of bored to sit for long hours and dared to loose some time going to washroom. Actually i had hope to google a formulae which i needed to answer one of the questions.I asked to go to washroom. I noticed a women following me. I was horrified to google the formulae and came out early. It was funny when I recall the moment now.

4) You can put your food on your exam table.

It is perfectly okay to put food like bread or fruits or drinks like coffee on your exam table. Examinees are free when ever they like. It was surprising to see apples, sandwhishes, bananas on my neighbouring tables at first. I didnt had any on mine and I am intrested to take some in next exam. 

The 'missing'

It is often heard, Norway is peaceful and quiet place and good to live in. I actually wonder, the peace is not the choice of Norway.  I have a couple of pictures that I can show you this.

I live in student housing approximately a kilometer away from University. The place is very wide but you can rarely see people. The lawn is empty all the time. This is the back of my house. I come here often and envy the ground. I wish I hand many friends and people to enjoy here.

My varandah where i sipp coffee with memories and imaginations :D

This is the way to my University. I often have many times walk from this way  daily but I hardly see any people moving. This way is a roadway where bus goes to upper areas daily.

The lonely way from hostel to university where I merely meet any people

If you take a glance at the right side while you are walking you see something like this. 

A peep into  surrounding at university way

My University ( back door)

Racimg ground at Hogskolen i Telemark

I with my Nepali friends went in the ground and ran in round remembering we were racing in school playground. The moment was worth to feel for longer. Actually, we dont have any options besides enjoyong the lonliness we find here :D

I never had any experience about living very far, in between enstranged people whom I see humans like myself but actually vary a lot. I felt this when i see difference when I think about eating and they do. I find them eating basically the raws, salad everytime. And this is weird....My Nepali style of thinking food as hot yummy rice, daal, curry, papad, achar, kachaura ma dahi, and all ...

Self made Nepali Khana for today's lunch

At night when i see the surroundings, only vey few lights from lighterd homes which is almost equivalent to a small village at night time in Nepal. It is a lot time smaller than the lights during loadshedding at Kathmandu at night time.

MISSING MY FAMILY AND MY FRIENDS 
<3 <3 <3

My Sudent life at Bø

This is my student housing at Norway. It is in a small town at southern Norway called Bø. The Sitel operates the housing.It is well managed palce despite the lonliness particularly in case of international students.

This place is where all of us in the housing throw our wastes. It is at the center of our rsidents so everyone can find throwing easy.