July 2011 Blog Posts (14)

What is volunteering?

Usually volunteering could be considered to be the practice of people working on behalf of others, or for a particular cause, without payment for their time and services.   It is generally considered as an altruistic activity, intended to promote good or improve human quality of life. 

As well, quite often and particularly among the young, volunteering is done to develop new skills, to meet others, to have fun, and possibly make contacts for…

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Swyambunath’s Monkey Temple area has been a big draw to tourists and locals alike since Kathmandu came into existence. It is a place where people find relaxation in their day, away from the noise and smells of the city below.

The balance between the citys largest forested area, with the densest population of monkeys, monks, temples and prayer wheels, gives the place an almost village feel, yet one steeped in the valleys…

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Hi people,

I'm a new member on this blog and a friend of Nepal since a few years. Like many westerners, my first time in Nepal was for a volunteering project. This experience taught me about Nepal's clashing faces much more than any web or published advertisement  :)

Nepal is just amazing, we all know that! You can astonish your sight from the low land of Tarai, and its few jungle that still survive the mindless deforestation, to the majesty of Himalayas, as you pass through…

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Some time ago Nepal introduced the TIMS card under the guise of safety for trekkers. I'm dubious of safety through paperwork in countries that are efficient with their data like the US, and I'm downright cynical when it comes to its application in Nepal. Regardless, if you want to strike out on the trail you need to go and get one of these. Although they use to be free, they now cost independent trekkers $20 ($10 if you go through some tour agency). It's rather clear which lobby was pushing for… Continue

This is my first blog ever. I hope you enjoy reading my day to day trekking adventures up from pohkara to Dhampus.



Day 1



Woke up this morning at 6 am like clockwork and continue my last minute packing from the night before. I get showered and changed and proceed to put on my lap top on. I think to myself...how lucky I am to have electricity this morning and have internet access too. I tidy the apartment to the best of my ability before heading downstairs…

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History unfolds and it is stated that the Original Shechen Monastery was destroyed during the Chinese occupation of Tibet in 1950s. Nevertheless, its essence was preserved by Dilgo Khyentse Rinponche who along with thousands of other Tibetan who exiled to Nepal and established a new home for the monastery…

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Today I had an uplifting meeting with one of the head-researchers at WWF (World Wildlife Fund), as I am working on an article about the changes that have happened in elephant populations along Nepal’s border with India.

 

Before I entered I felt down, even depressed about the topic, as I know the condition of much of the jungle along the Tarai (border area). Today it is a sad shadow of what existed in the 50/60s. I figured that the…

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The noise was immense; goose bumps ran down my arms, shivers up my spine, as I swallowed hard I was consumed by emotion.

Kathmandu’s White Temple was filled with saffron robed Monks. Each sat in ceremony, crossed legged on the floor. The collective energy of the chanting, drumming,…

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As one of those people that keeps heading back for the momos and mountains, I'm asked this question quite a bit:  "Why Nepal?"

 

I suppose my initial reasons were simple enough.  As an 18-year-old, fresh out of high school with little cash and a scratchy beard, Nepal just made sense.  Mountains? …

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With a slow, tentative effort I was down, mules included; though I’d no idea how? My feet and ankles were swollen; every part of my body ached from the tension. I was dusty, knackered, dishevelled but I brimmed with a deep sense of pride. After navigating the ancient salt route, I was stood at…

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I was recently asked to write about the cultural complexity of Nepal, focusing on Buddhism and Hindu faiths. As i am not Nepali, Hindu or Buddhist, and I have only been living in Nepal for a short time this topic was way out of my area of experience. I am not one to turn away from a challenge so here is my attempt... please feel free to point out any errors as I am new to the topic and this is how we learn!

 

Life in Nepal is a confusing mix of religious, caste, cultural and…

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Travelling with children is easier when you have a lot of helpers.

 

I recently travelled to Nepal with my parents, two sisters and my 9 month old daughter for my older sister’s wedding. Before leaving I was a bit worried about the trip. My daughter…

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Through the last many years, I have had the pleasure to be a part of the Swyambunath community, living amongst its various Tibeto/Buddhist groups. It is the most important Buddhist site, outside of Tibet and the largest forested area in Kathmandu, protected under a UNESCO banner. But strangely enough my most interaction has been with the areas other, more mischievous residents: simians, or monkeys, to us…

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