My Story
Garrett Morris
Nepali name: पुस्कर (Puskar)
Nepali name: पुस्कर (Puskar)
Why Puskar?
The name पुस्कर (Puskar) originated from my first Nepali host family. A few weeks after moving into their home, my "brother" the head of the house, decided that it was time to give me a Nepali name. After a hours passed, he came into the kitchen where the family and I were sitting and announced that my Nepali name was to be.... Puskar, meaning "blue lotus" in Sanskrit.
Later I moved to the Far West where I would live for over 2 years, and I kept the name. Being that I was the only foreigner living in the whole region, "Puskar" soon became a widely known name. With a drive to learn, explore, and engage with my community, a second, more "Nepali" persona blossomed inside of me. My excitement for work and passion for Nepal was noticed by all in the area and the "Puskar" legend was formed.
Later I moved to the Far West where I would live for over 2 years, and I kept the name. Being that I was the only foreigner living in the whole region, "Puskar" soon became a widely known name. With a drive to learn, explore, and engage with my community, a second, more "Nepali" persona blossomed inside of me. My excitement for work and passion for Nepal was noticed by all in the area and the "Puskar" legend was formed.
In Nepal each and every moment was a new experience and a life lesson.
In September 2014, I left my home in California to serve as a health/agriculture Peace Corps Volunteer in Nepal. I was in search of a new, exciting, mind-opening experience as well as an opportunity to help those less fortunate. What was supposed to be only 27 months, turned into a nearly 4 year journey in this beautiful country which I now consider my second home. Even though I came to Nepal as a volunteer educator, by the time I could teach one thing, I had already learned ten. Between the Nepali people's hospitality, passion, and kindness; the diverse and breathtaking scenery; rich, complex culture and simple lifestyle, each and every moment was a new experience and a life lesson.
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For 2.5 years I lived in Chhatiwan, a community nestled in the middle hills of Doti District of the Far Western Region. In 2017, I extended my Peace Corps service and moved into the city of Pokhara where I lived for over 1 year as a Volunteer Leader.
Although I spent most of my time immersed into the communities I lived with, I was fortunate enough to travel all over the country as well, some of which include: - Trips to the most western (Mahakali river) and most eastern (Mechi river) borders - Trekking in the Annapurna Range (Pun Hill, Mardi Himal) - Trip to Gauri Sankar Concervation area - Cycling from Pokhara up to Muktinath Temple located in the himalayan district of Mustang - Cycling from the Far West to Kathmandu (7 days) - Cycling over most of the Western Nepal Region - |
To find out more about my experiences as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Nepal,
see my blog: https://mypeaceofnepal.wordpress.com
see my blog: https://mypeaceofnepal.wordpress.com