1984: john hobart lawrence served in Nepal in Butwal, Hetauda, Bhuwanbasti, Biratanagar, beginning in 1984



Returned Peace Corps Volunteer john hobart lawrence can be contacted at jhlaguamdnet

Country of Service: Nepal

Training Group: N142

Cities you served in: Butwal, Hetauda, Bhuwanbasti, Biratanagar,

Arrival Year: 1984

Departure Year: 1988

Work Description:

Tree planting and Tree nurseries from Jhapa to Butwal. Working with Van and avoiding riots in Hetauda. Sworn in on my mother's birthday, April 5th, 1984. COS Sept 1987. Tried my hand at contracting in Kathmandu and came so close to still being there. My ONLY regret, not staying 6 more months. Had I read the Peace Corps medical manual a bit closer we still might be there.

Bring us up to date on your life after the peace corps:

child one, jayanika laxmi lawrence, born june 23 1988 premature. have kids when your broke and at a Catholic hospital. great breaks they offer! second kid born August 1 1991 in the middle of a thunderstorm and grad school finals. WA state paid for him. Now at 16 and 13 I PAY FOR IT ALL! MSc in Forestry and Range Management WSU, Pullman. Nirmala now a voting US citizen June 2004, but still 100% Newarni. Now USDA NRCS FarmBill Program and Conservation Technology Leader for Pacific Basin islands (Guam, Saipan, Palau, FSM, American Samoa, Republic of Marshalls). 7 years. Grow our own tropical fruit trees for local sales. Wander still through the jungles of Palau and Guam every chance I get. Can't get enough of the forest, EVER.

Any thoughts you have now looking back on peace corps days?:

Can't go back but somedays, somedays I sure wish I was walking through the streets of Janikpur with Van steering me clear of cows and kids while I communed with god after a famous temple cookie. ALWAYS GET YOUR GG SHOT. My liver is NOT the same. I miss the motor bike and the ride from Kathmandu to Hetauda over the Rajpat. I miss my 500 lb chinese phoenix bike with basket and rack and my 75 k rides from Bhuwanbasti to Hetauda. I miss the terai dun forest, the peafowl calling, the old world storks, picking sal leaves for my didi for her puja and being taller than almost everyone on the bus, dal bhaat in mugling, tea and a double samsoa & chaat in Kathmandu and raksi and momo in padi butwal. tuk io! AND doing the chicken dance with Rob G. at the Marine Bar!! it just don't get any better than dancing with robby g!!

Anyone you are looking for or would like to hear from?:

Darrel and Ann

Any message for returned volunteers?:

Stay safe. great nepali geet at www.shoutcast.com, search for Nepali. Hindi geet too

Originally posted: January 15, 2005

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