When last we met, Edward was writing a book called the Public Library Helper for the American Library Association. It took a whole year, but the manuscript is done! Look for an amazing, erudite, and snappy discussion of all things needed in running a small public library. Edward was also employed by the Crawford County Library in Grayling, Michigan. With no warning, discussion, or reason the library board released him to the free agent market in mid-January. While this time would have been excellent for writing, Edward was feeling a bit depressed and instead fixed computers and toured the world! He still owns 40% of DXR Computers in Grayling and is always willing to talk or present on his two week stay in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Kathmandu was amazing. A completely different world from the one all of you know. There isn't a single McDonald's in the whole country! In fact, no stores or restaurants you would recognize. In a city of a million people, the tallest buildings are only 5 or 6 stories high. Everyone smiles and says hello. Intersections are opportunities for interaction and negotiation as everyone drives into them and works their way out. I rode public transit, sort of. Various owners of vehicles, from tuk-tuks (three wheel motorcycles with benches in back) to busses, yell out where they are going looking for passengers who pay flexible rates for the privilege of being delivered to their destination. Gorgeous wood carvings adorn most buildings, even concrete slab houses can have ornately carved doors. Thousand year old monuments, temples, and palaces are everywhere to be seen. Many of the palaces are now 5-star hotels. Buddhism and Hinduism exist side by side in the only remaining Hindu kingdom in the world.
The Newari of the Kathmandu valley are brilliant architects, having invented the pagoda. They also make delicious dishes. Most of my diet was vegetarian, prepared for me by the kitchen staff at WATCH (Women Acting Together for Change). I used my time to help WATCH organize their library. In return they gave me a place to stay (without running water for only three days) and toured me around the valley. I learned many things about their customs and observances while making new friends. Always walk clockwise around temples and shrines to keep your clean side to the temple. Take off your shoes before entering the center. Press your palms together, bow slightly, and say namaste to greet someone. Eat your dal bhat (lentil soup over rice). One morning I took a flight to Mt. Everest and along the Himalayan Mountains. Several days after work I wandered to Pashupati to see the monkeys who wander the woods near the holy temples, eating the offerings to the gods. One weekend I went with the two Americans, who introduced me to WATCH through the public library listserv, spent the night atop a mountain at Nagarkot and then hiked back down into the Kathmandu valley through terraced rice fields and quaint villages. I saw many exotic plants and animals and will always remember the birds with tails as long as their bodies sailing behind them. Even with the trash tossed on the street for animals to root through, the remnants swept into a pile and burned; even with the haze and smog blocking my view of the Himalayas from Kathmandu; even with the Maoist insurgency and a teeny bomb that went off two blocks from where I was one night; I treasure my memories of Kathmandu.
Getting to Kathmandu was an adventure in itself. Having never been overseas before I took every advantage and gave myself two days in London. I walked along the Thames seeing the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Sir Francis Drake's Golden Hind, Shakespeare's Globe Theater, cathedral ruins from the blitz, St. James church, and more. I ate in little fish joints nestled between buildings and took the Tube between Heathrow and downtown. On my way back home I spent many hours in Westminster Abbey seeing score upon score of memorials and tombs. I saw the last resting place of the early Edwards and the throne and hall where monarchs have been crowned for a thousand years. Across the street I gazed on Big Ben and the House of Parliament. I took the Tube up to Kensington Gardens. Strolled by Prince Albert Hall. And hurried up Notting Hill late to get back to the states. My other international stopover was in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Crystal blue water of the Persian Gulf, sparkling new skyscrapers, and sand to the ends of time greeted me. Their airport would be completely at home in Mos Eisley with its rounded, sand colored concrete gates and main terminal. It was great to see my old boss, Kandace Rogers, from the University of Kentucky. I spent the evening with her family, recently relocated from the states.
While I was exploring the nooks and crannies of Westminster Abbey, little did I know I was also directing the Delton District Library. I knew I had accepted their offer, but they moved the start date up on me while I was overseas gallavanting. Luckily they let me take vacation days until the next Monday. :) Delton is north of both Battle Creek and Kalamazoo on M-43. It has been a wonderful move for me, although it has pushed my book project a bit behind schedule. The library here was built with community labor, the building trades class at the high school doing much of the work. They raised all of the money for building materials and opened a gorgeous library debt-free in 1997. The staff is well-trained, eager to learn, and completely insane. I feel right at home. They have enjoyed a director willing to laugh along with them and honest about his humanity. Everyone here knows of my troubles with dysthymic depression and occasional problems facing the world in the morning. The whole community has opened their arms to accept me. I have remained involved with Rotary as it is the only active service club in Delton. Many additional groups operate from the county seat of Hastings, 15 miles north. The State Grounds coffeehouse there has been invaluable in booking bands for library performances. We have rearranged the entire children's area, created a teen area, updated the collection, and reignited the Friends of the Library! The library board is very open to trying new things and often suggests improvements before I can. I managed to find the perfect place to live. It is 10 miles from work, which makes for a bit more of a commute than usual. At least I get to drive through rolling hills, woodlands, lakes, and farms instead of through traffic. I live in a fancy place surrounded by huge towering trees with large nature preserves behind me and across the street. It is a ten minute walk to Gun Lake and a ten minute drive to US 131. I can be in Kalamazoo or Grand Rapids slightly beyond a half hour.
Most inspring person of 2004 - Beth
Coolest person I've met in 2004 - my godson Nick, Cory and Lisa's kid
Luckiest people of 2004 - Kelli and James who got engaged after years of bad relationships
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Last updated 12/15/05 by Edward Elsner. 100% original content.
