Zadou - the Wild, Wild West

My first impression of Zadou two years ago is that I had been transported into the wild, wild west. I expected to see a gun slinger coming out of the tavern at any second. Zadou is still much like that, but it has grown, too. There are new buildings and cranes everywhere! We arrived late at night in a rain storm, so we were very glad when a passerby stopped to pick us up and deliver us to a hotel. The next morning I was greeted by the above view from my window.
Peng was great to travel with; I could not have made the trip without him! He found us breakfast and a cab for the day and even a cell phone charger. After a filling meal, we went out to the school run by the Rimpoche. Much was the same as when I left 2 years ago, the kids were still smiling, and the grass was still green. Some things have changed: there are more tents housing more foreigners than before, the buildings are all completed and wearing colorful paint, and the school building was decorated for the 5th aniversery celebration.

The well we completed two years ago is producing ample water, though I wish it was housed properly to prevent contamination. The green house is functioning, but the students need encouragement to eat green things which are not part of their diet normally. (What kid likes vegetables anyway?) There is now power to the complex, and this will relieve much of the difficulties for refrigeration and lighting. The basketball court is paved, not gravel, this year, and it appears to be very well used. Great to see!
The new hospital is about 90% done. It is very big! It was great to get a tour of it with the Rimpoche and everyone. From the road one would never know a building this big was being built! After the tour, we had a wonderful lunch at the Rimopche's house. Peng was very happy to meet him and to see all the great things he is doing for the people of the area. I was glad to see things moving forward and the town of Zadou moving from the wild, wild west into a more mainstream town.