We shared a few laughs in the car, and helped unload all of the makeup kits once we got to the hall. Arati was our makeup artist for the event and did she have a fantastic assortment of cosmetic products! I gazed on with starry eyes before being snapped back to reality with the realisation that more or less the hall was empty, with Umesh greeting us at the front door.  The chairs had been set up, but otherwise nothing else had been done. 10:30. The program was due to start at 6:30. I pursed my lips together and tried to see the humour in the situation.

Shortly, I found out that Mahendra, Anup and a few of the other boys had gone shopping. We had decided to prepare the Newari entree items ourselves, and I wondered if this was a mistake. Only some of the seven volunteers for the kitchen who had put their hands up had arrived, and I reminded myself to have twice as many volunteers next time so that those who decided not to come without informing could be replaced.

I decided to wait, and proceeded to stare blankly at the ceiling of the hall. Nice lights, I mused. Finally, we have some movement! I see people! In less than 15 minutes a flood of dancers poured in, along with our choreographer Binita and her husband Shiva. The boys had returned from their shopping adventures and now there was a buzz in the room with the dancers rehearsing, food preparation and passionate discussions on venue decoration.  

I sat down and started working on the program schedule, talking to the makeup artists, the dancers and the choreographer to ensure that all of the performances would be on time. Dresses, jewellery, did we have all this under control, I enquired. Enough time for changing? Yes this was under control, I was told. I collected the names of the dancers and thought it was excellent that there were a considerable number of non-Newar performers as well. Relieved that the schedule was more or less under control, I headed to the kitchen that was thrown into chaos because of the lack of people. I called Supriya and Arati over to give me a hand and we began chopping like mad- ginger, garlic, onions, shallots, carrots, cucumbers, potatoes, chicken...Others joined in as well and things were underway in no time. It was already 3:00- time for me to rush home, get changed and practice a bit for the hosting before coming back.

I get home to find my brother is still not home, and I panic because we have not had a single practice session together. He called me to tell me that he was not feeling too well having not slept for several of the previous nights because of university assignments and the like. I imagined him looking rather green, but reiterated that he couldn’t back out now because everyone would surely fall asleep if it was just me droning along. He reluctantly agreed. It was 4:30.

I try to fix my sari and realise that my lack of expertise will not do, while waiting patiently for Gitendra to come home. He makes an appearance at 5:00 and casually asks me what the program is about. My blood boils and I am just about ready to tackle him, but I remind myself to keep my cool. We raced back to the event- 5:30. Arati had to do my makeup and my hair. By the time, my makeup was done it was already 6:00 and people had started to gather outside. Oh well, forget about my hair, I told the girls. They put it up in a bun and sprayed it stiff with hair spray. I went to look at myself in the mirror and nearly fainted. My brother commented that I looked a bit like Frankenstein’s monster. Typical brotherly love I thought to myself. And of course he added that my hair looked like a sparrow’s nest. I sighed again.

But despite all this, the energy amongst the volunteers was electric. All the dancers were ready to go and looked beautiful. The kids were having a great time at the back shrieking and screaming. I had to tell them to keep things quiet several times and I am sure they were less than impressed. Oh well. People started filtering inside the hall. The hall was not ideal. We didn’t have the curtains closing and opening. I was less than impressed. I was already on stage when people arrived and there was very little space backstage. So much for making my grand appearance, I thought.

The program went remarkably well after it started. The program started about 45 minutes late – again typical Nepalese timing. I made a mental note that we would have to invite people at 5:00 for a 6:30 start so that we could actually start on time!!! The dances and songs were great, the hosts did a decent job (*wink*), the volunteers were supportive, the people who supported the event were fantastic and overall the night was good. The program ended and a sense of elation filled us group of volunteers. The volunteers had been working so hard leading up to the event and it was great to see so many of you support us. Some of us discussed how the event went while others put forward their ideas on the next event and how we should orient Guthi Australia in the future. To sum up, it was a satisfying day for us volunteers and an enjoyable one I hope for all of you that attended.

Please fill out the online Feedback Form, so that we know what you liked and what you didn't.