Staying at Bigu Monastery was not easy. It was cold and wet and remote and the only bathroom was a pit latrine located across a field of leeches. And I am a night pee-er.

The only shower options were either the spigot in the pit latrine or the waterfall at the back of the monstery. I didn’t bathe much.

But these girls made it all so worth it. They were so filled with joy and curiosity. Watching them bounce the monastery as they performed their daily chores and prayers was my favorite past time.

The other volunteer, Adele, brought up a bunch of art supplies and the nuns had a blast tearing through them on the floor of our dorm.

Magic 254/365, My Young Nuns, Bigu Monastery, Nepal, September 2010