Why do I want to do this? Why do I bother trundling to remote places to be bitten by dogs or overwhelmed by the stench of 25000 slaughtered, rotting animals, for the sake of culture and religion?

(This article will give you a brief outlook on this- a tame edition that is!)

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/11/24/nepal.animal.sacrifice/index.html

My first major handicraft investigation led me to Janakpur in the South of Nepal. Unfortunately via some pretty horrific festivals..... but my experience in one center know as; "Janakpur Womens Development Center" 

http://www.sunavworld.com/jwdc.html

in particular was refreshing after the shock of the personal challenges that came with the animal slaughter festival. These women feed off each others dedication and creative energies. They have an immense sense of unity that is so evident in the passion for making such an environment peaceful and easy to be in. Me being an outsider, felt as ease in this place, like our common language was their work, and being female. Which, to be entirely absorbed in, is an incredibly beautiful, warm experience. 

In terms of my involvement here, I would be excited to help them export, but not able to work in this particular area due to some of these personal barriers. 

I find myself so vulnerable to the energies of these crafty places, but then can be in the middle of Kathmandu city, head down, blind to the poverty around me. I guess this shows where I am, or should be placed. I can't do a thing about the Kathmandu streets I guess, so why waste my energy on contaminating my sensors? I can feel peace on having my filters on, as there is a lot of beauty to be seen... you've just got to be strong in being ruthless with what you absorb.