The Violet Shyness of Their Eyes: Notes from Nepal

I loved the writers voice and accounts in this book. It was subtle yet powerfully written. The stories that are meant to touch you will find you and stay with you. I cant help but think how America handled the educating of Natives here so long ago and how this chance in Nepal to give their own educators esteem and freedom while maintaining their innocence, the violet shyness could be such an enpowering era for the children and people. This is written by a wonderful writer. I loved it. www.HeartMom.com

I have read many trips to the Himilayas written from a man's point of view, but this was certainly unique. The typical story of racing down narrow, dangerous roads on a bus is totally different when paying attention to nauseous women and where do the women have to go to the bathroom. When she wrote of climbing mountains, she mentioned the wildflowers. That is something the men rushing up mountains at the very edge of their skills never mention.

Unlike many travel narratives that deal with conquering the Himalayas or giving a traveler's view of the Nepalese people, Barbara J. Scot's THE VIOLET SHYNESS OF THEIR EYES, shows an insight into the region that few experience. She is a teacher living and working in a small village in Nepal. As a teacher, she works at a small, overcrowded school and sees how western education is hurting, not helping the Nepalese. Frankly, when Scot comes to the realization that people like herself are making things worse for the Nepalese, I was overwhelmed with her honesty and her plight. However, she says it far better than I can: "I think the main trouble with motivation for teachers in Nepal is that they have no self-esteem. They are told they must learn from westerners how to do things the right way . . . You ought to get rid of all westerners. You are an ingenious people. Let the Nepalis figure out what works for education for Nepal."As a professor, I was stunned to read this statement. After all, I had bought the text because it was marketed as a travel narrative of Nepal, and I am a climber and hiker who has wanted to go this area for ages. So, when I started reading this book, I was surprised to see that, yes, it is a travel account of living in another land that happens to be smack up against the most beautiful scenery in the world, but I was more intrigued by Scot's voice in the book. It has an earnest and sincere quality. It made me think. And, it made me agree with her view on the situation. Scott is not against western education, but western eduators who ardently believe that their viewpoint on universal education is the only one of worth. These educators go to other countries and inform the local educators that their view on educating is wrong or, at least, misguided. Scott wants us to realize that what western education has to offer is valuable to non-western people, but these people must be able to pick and choose what they need from western education methodology and mix it with their own cultural values and beliefs.An insightful and well written book. I hated to see the narrative end.

Scot tackles controversial issues such as oppression and gender roles with new eyes as she goes to teach, but is taught by the strong Nepali people. This really made me rethink the value I place on myself as a woman and the value I place on sisterhood. A life-changing read

An excellent account of the people and culture of Nepal from a woman's perspective. Sensitive and thought-provoking