Curry Without Worry.

I landed in California by chance, having met a friend this past summer she offered for me to come out and help with her non-profit, Interculutral Encounters. The original plan actually dabbled with organic farming in Bulgaria, then Ireland and a quick stop in Orlando to visit my brother but, here I am. After a few nights in the Bay Area, my friend and I went into San Francsico. We ended up at a restaurant named, 'The Taste of the Himalayas,' and it has seemed to be my head quarters in the city.
The man running the restaurant also does work with a non-profit, 'Curry Without Worry.' Now in their 19th straight month of a Tuesday night ritual, they have been serving delicious Nepalese food to the hungry and curious souls of San Francisco.
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to check out the scene where the largest pot of curry I had ever seen, was cooking. The warm smells of spices permeated the air while the easing sounds of kind hearted Nepalese folks singing rung through the kitchen. They enjoy what they do, you can feel it. They enjoy sharing their culture, their love, their smiles with everyone. Able to feel the positive energy flowing back and fourth, the excitement and joy seemed to never end as the founder, Shrawan Nepali, sang out 'Happy Tuesday, everyone!'
We loaded the car and were off to the Civic Center in the heart of the city. From what I was told we were running a little late that evening, about a half an hour. A line had already been formed. Passerbyes stared as the lined seemed to lead to no where. Calls from those waiting, as they do every week, were directed towards us as we had beaten the food to the sight. "I thought you guys weren't coming," an elderly man shouted, face worn from life's hardships, but still managed to say it with a smile. The food arrived quickly and we began to set up.
Efrat, a young traveler from Israel, approached me asking if I had any idea where she would drop off some clothes before she left to go home. Not being from the city, I directed her to someone else. Not quite receiving the answer she was looking for, she decided to offer he help. We gladly welcomed her to help serve. Exchanging stories about why were in San Francisco and how she had ended up coming to the states we began to speak about traveling and all it can really offer, "it's amazing the people you can meet when you travel alone," she said. "Having been traveling with someone else, I wouldn't have stopped to see what this line leading to no where was all about." (Sharon and I actually interviewed her for an upcoming project, more on that project later.)
As the line came to an end and the food had diminished, everything was packed up. I couldn't help but feel humbled. I have seen extreme poverty before while traveling, but hadn't experienced it such as this in my own country. Growing up in Trempealeau, I wasn't exposed to such hardships. As the feelings of love that came from sharing this opportunity and feeling like a part of a community came to me in waves, I couldn't help but be thankful for the journey I am on and everything that is yet to come.

Curry Without Worry.

San Francisco, United States