Steve's Most Excellent Adventure to Nepal!



Steve with grandchildren

 Rotarian, Steve Swank, will soon be climbing aboard an airplane for an adventure of a lifetime.  Steve, a member of the Rotary Club of Des Moines since 1989, will be flying half way across the world to Kathmandu on February 19th.  He will be joining Rotarian Rob Rose (Bellevue Rotary Club) to see first hand the Disability Awareness project that our club has supported over the last two years. This project provides physical therapy for children with disability and facilities improvements for the Disabled Newlife Center in Kathmandu.  He will also have the opportunity to be involved in many hands-on volunteer projects during his trip and scheduled to attend several Rotary Club meetings. Steve will return to the States on March 5th. 

During his trip, Steve will have some time to travel and sight-see through the country of Nepal.  Steve even has the opportunity to sign up for a sightseeing flight over Mt. Everest!  When asked what he has done to prepare for the trip, Steve reports that (besides taking an arsenal of pills and shots) he has learned to say a few phrases in Nepali, such as Namaste (the Hindu greeting "I bow to you"), introducing himself and saying thank you. He has also researched the Nepali culture and has learned some very important "dos and don'ts":

 Dubar Square in Kathmandu

1) Don't cross your legs, because showing the soles of your shoes is an insult to your host;

2)  Use your right hand to eat and deal with food. Nepalese use their left-hand to wash themselves after defecating;

3) Once your lips have touched a food item or its container, it is considered Jutho (polluted) for others; and

4) Above all, don't drink the tea offered to you by your host - only pretend to sip - as it is unfiltered water.

Steve is excited to see firsthand the children who are benefiting from the Nepal Wheelchair project.  He states that it is a huge honor to represent the Des Moines Rotary Club. 

What has him somewhat worried is the exotic nature of the Nepali cuisine. So in preparation for the big trip, he is packing plenty of granola  and snack bars to avoid any possibility of starvation!

While Steve is traveling, the DMRotary Blog plans to track his journey.  We will receive ongoing emails and photos from Steve and will share them with our readers.  Stay tune for more on Steve's most excellent adventure!