December, 1996 - April, 1997 :: 4 months among Catmandou and Pokhara with a girl escapade in Switzerland(Swiss) :: Ang Tenzing Lama, Ang Lobsang and children, Ang Cchoki and children, Ang Passang and family, some llamas, Lhakpa, Michèle A journey full of promises It is during this journey that Lhakpa and I we are married... I had resigned sabatique of my librarian's post(post office) in Tokyo for some months (thank you, Tom!) because our efforts to come Lhakpa to Japan in autumn, 96 had failed (not thank you, the consulate of Japan to Catmandou!). It is so near Christmas that I landed to Catmandou. My arrival had been preceded by that of a package filled(performed) with biscuits of Christmas (thank you, Mom!). Lhakpa lived then in a room(chamber) near Swayambhu and we flowed there happy days. I make more ample knowledge with Cchoki, an elder sister of Lhakpa. She lives alone to Catmandou because her husband works in the United States. In this time, she(it) has already 2 girls, Ang Phurba and Nima Dolma, and has just given birth to a boy. The father of Lhakpa, Tenzing, who is llama of chosen village a first name auspicieux for the newborn child: Sonam. I attend with curiosity the ceremony of the baptism. As Lhakpa and I communicate in Japanese and as I often ask questions which finish there " desu ka ", the children of Cchoki rename me " Ang Deska ". But that, I learnt him(it) later. This long stay is punctuated with a peak - nic to Pharphing for Lhosar - the new Tibetan year - and some strolls until Pokhara. When I call transferred term is can - ête a little bit light because it is necessary all the same to count 1 day of bumpy bus. We go there at first to visit the other elder sister of Lhakpa, Lobsang, who lives - without husband she(it) also - with 2 children of his(her) second marriage, Tashi and Gelmu, in this town on the West Catmandou. This first journey makes together with the father of Lhakpa who always moves with a circle of acquaintances of 4 or 5 llamas. I fight against a small stomach upset during all the journey: bad oil, I think. During the second journey we have the occasion to exercise our "talents" of guides by taking 2 Japanese tourists for a trek of 4-5 days above Pokhara. A mister Idenoue of Kyoto and a lady of Osaka of whom I forgot the name but not exuberant reprimands when she was tired: " aaha, shindoï, shindoï! ". In spring, 97, we decide to get married for usual reasons but also to facilitate Lhakpa's entrance(entry) to Japan. So that marriage is recognized by Japanese and Swiss administrations, one advises us to register(record) him(it) with Swiss authorities. As Lhakpa has never met my family and as well as that seems to be the fastest option, we choose to go(surrender) to Switzerland(Swiss). After many administrative steps(methods) to gather(reunite) all the necessary documents and to send them to Switzerland(Swiss) by way of the consulate, process so kafkaesque that it(he) would push many couples already married straight ahead in divorces, we fly away towards Switzerland (10 hours of wait(expectation) in the middle of the night in New Dehli's airport: disadvised). I open here a small bracket to send our thoughts assassinnes to madam Pandey-Schaffner of Switzerland's consulate(Swiss's consulate) to Catmandou! I think that she(it) continues to improve the month purposes by duping the poor pigeons who appear in the desk(office). If you have histories of horror to be shared concerning her(it), send us your testimonies by e-mail. It is first journey abroad of Lhakpa, it is to say to you if it(he) was rich in surprises. But in summary Lhakpa got acquainted with my relatives(parents), and we are going even to visit my sister Catherine in Paris. We get married in a civil ceremony to Montagny-s-Yverdon in April, 97, under the fond glance of my relatives(parents), some friends and 2 aunts. Return to Catmandou, wedding papers poaches it. A little while later I resume the road for Tokyo, where from I shall make the demand of visa for my new husband. | 1995 1996 :: 1997 2000 2001 2002 the tribe photos links news home |