Our Budding Buddhist in Nepal, STA Explorer Isobel, is done with her studying allowing a little time for reflection.

And the reflection isn’t just a simple case of ‘I did this and felt like that’, it just isn’t Isobel’s style. We’ve got experience based metaphors that all began with,

“A small, poised and very green praying mantis began to make its way somewhat precariously across my washing line to the safety of the tree at the far end.”

This encounter, along with prayer flags falling from the skies and peaches left on door handles, led to her seeing Nepal as

“A land of contrasts. Of incredible beauty separated from difficult circumstances…”

And of herself,

“I have somehow emerged instantly from a Nepali spring into a Nepali summer, having made my way, very much like the praying mantis, precariously and determinedly across the past few weeks.”

For all Isobel’s thoughts head through and if you’ve had similar reflective moments while travelling why not let her know.