Travel report by Gaga

Don’t do what’s expected of you. That’s boring, more importantly it’s not you at all. You have to be yourself, and if that means being different, BE DIFFERENT… « First times » are always memorable. Indeed, I can relate that through my recent experience abroad: my first time in Nepal and my very first time going out of my country. Namaste, I’m Gaga, from Madagascar, Africa. Back in my country I’m a teacher and skateboarding has been part of my life for a while now. Finding an activity related to skateboarding has always been on my bucket list. After many attempts trying to knock on doors, skate-aid has generously opened theirs to the goofy guy I am. From that point, I’ve realized that what you are looking for is also looking for you, only if you put in the efforts to manifest it and when it is meant for you. From there, the great adventure started. Basically, some words that describe the whole adventure would be discovering, experimenting, learning, enjoying, repeating. Waking up every morning seemed like a dream because I still couldn’t believe I made it to Nepal and I was part of an organization that combine passion and committing to make the world better which is actually empowering kids. One part of the trip that teaches me one lesson is the fact of living in the present. Most of the time we are obsessed by the idea of not being at the place we want to be, and we forget to live in the present. I have learnt to live the present moment: being around the kids, in the mountain, taking a bus, sleeping outside, even during difficult times…that how we can find happiness and start to live the life to the fullest. Talking about that, the country itself is a place to try out things. Nepal is really a beautiful country, it has a lot to offer landscapes, nature, mountains with jungle around, different cultures, welcoming people, foods, you name it… I think two main words that can qualify the experience would be unique and intense. One of the particular sides of the culture is, for example, eating with hands. Pretty uncomfortable in the beginning but then making lot of sense once getting used to it. Not only it is a way tastier plus the fact of eating together but also, it’s kind of connection to the nature, the element straightly. The next example of an intense moment is without hesitation being surrounded by nature; it is simply the best way to recharge yourself. I spent 3 months in Nepal as a volunteer… first in Butwal at Dhunga skate park then joined the construction team in Kathmandu. When I first got to see the park, it was even better than I thought. It has a nice flow; an astonishing story and it is only a 2 min walk from the hostel we’re living. Spending time with Amrit and Nishal Bhai along with the kids are always discovery in every session. Every time seeing their face smiling after a session or after landing a trick, it gives you awareness that even small things matter a lot. After the workshops are done, there’s always nice skate sessions with everyone. As skateboarders, besides learning and landing tricks, we also learn lessons of life through different perspectives and angles. An example is failure and indeed we fail many times, like in real life. However, failing is good, it tests your body and your mind to see what they can endure. That’s a bigger part of what it is about to live. Next would be difficulty and fear. I will never forget the time I crossed that hanging bridge. Very scary for me since I’m afraid of high but later on I challenged myself if I could do it. The feeling of accomplishment was rewarding. Exactly the same when trying to transmit something to the kids while teaching. Or during the construction time, difficult and heavy workload but worth it. In another words, it is good that it is hard, if it is easy, everyone would do it, everyone would have it, and it wouldn’t be so special. To put it in a nutshell, skateboarding is a state of mind, way of life, being comfortable in our skin, it is about enduring, following our heart, chasing our dreams and living life to the fullest. It is about freedom of passion, fighting for what we believe and most importantly doing the right thing. …BE DIFFERENT, that’s how we can make a change to the world. None has ever changed the world by doing what the world told them to do. Finally, I cannot express how thankful I am for this trip.