assessment

GET PREPARED FOR YOUR ADVENTURE

Namaste, fellow travellers!

The other day in class we were talking about culture shock, and two girls that had been to Nepal said that the hardest thing for them to get used to was showering. Seems like hygiene is something foreigners really struggle at the beginning when going to Nepal.

With hygiene, I’m talking about different aspects that are done differently in western countries from Nepal. The following are the most recurrent ones:

  • SHOWERS. If you’re from any western country, you might be used to warm endless showers. Well, get prepared for the freezing cold water showers or bucket ones. Another option (if you’re lucky and you have one nearby) are public bathing taps.
  • TOILETS. Most toilets in Nepal are just a hole in the ground. Also, there is no toilet paper. So you better learn how to wipe your ass with water. But remember, always with your left hand!
  • EATING. You might be wondering why did she write before just to use the left hand for the toilet. The reason why is because you might need the right one to eat. Yep, it’s right, if you really want to integrate you will have to eat without cutlery.
Nepali people having lunch. Credit: WPC Newsletter Exclusive Photos!

Now, you might be thinking ‘No way I’m going’. But please look at it from another perspective. The experience might take you out of your comfort zone and push your boundaries, but at the end, you will see how different the world works, you will start appreciating what you have and you will grow personally.

The best you can do to minimize the culture shock before going is to read the recommendations of other travellers, understand the culture and the most important being open-minded.

I hope this blog helped you understand a bit more about the Nepalese culture. And that it did not discourage you to visit this amazing country.

Cheers!

3 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT NEPAL

Namaste, fellow travellers!

Today we might be talking about misconceptions.
Nepal has an international reputation for being THE place you must go if you’re looking for hiking and adventure. Since I haven’t been in Nepal (yet) I might write here three common misconceptions other travellers had that you should know before you go.

1. FRESH MOUNTAIN AIR ALL THE TIME

Somehow the idea most people have of Nepal (me included) is of this place where you can breath fresh air while enjoying the mountain views. Seems like it is not exactly like that. Kathmandu is suffering from serious air pollution. Tip: you can buy cheap face masks all over the city.

However, you might think…. “that’s only because Katmandhu is a big city, in the mountains I will have my fresh air”. Well, true, but you might also suffer from respiratory problems due to the high altitude. Yet, no worry! if you take steps to acclimatize you might not have any problem.

A woman covers her face to avoid polluted air in Balkhu, Kathmandu on Thursday, September 22, 2016. Photo: Skanda Gautam
2. LOCALS CAN’T SPEAK ENGLISH

This is a really common stereotype for many countries (Spain, Grece, etc.). In the case of Nepal, it couldn’t be farther from the truth. EVERYONE SPEAKS ENGLISH! (well maybe not in isolated villages but you get the idea). In schools out of eight subjects, seven are taught in English.

Back in 1996, signs were also written in English.
3. SHERPAS ARE JUST MOUNTAIN GUIDES

Lastly, Sherpas became famous for helping the first foreign explorers climb the high mountains of the Himalayas. That’s why we associate it directly to mountain guides. However, Sherpa is an ethnic group. This means that although everyone can be a guide, not everyone can be considered Sherpas.

Two Sherpas that helped my parents hike around the Himalaya.

I hope you learnt a bit more about amazing Nepal with this post. If you want to know more about other stereotypes, here are some blogs I found very interesting and maybe you might too:

By reading other people’s experiences and opinions, you will be less disappointed knowing and undertanding more background information upon arrival.

Cheers!

REVIVING KATHMANDU WITH STREET ART

Namaste, fellow travellers!

Probably, what you might not know is that street art has existed in Nepal already for a while, more specifically since the 11th century (!!). This was in the form of religious murals. However, street art as we know it today started getting popular from 2008 when the French artist Space Invader created a series of 20 murals across Kathmandu.

Artists took it as inspiration to express the social problems of the country. In the beginning, they were about their decade long civil war and the political instability of the country. But after the earthquake of 2015, many artists decided to give life to the city by colouring the streets. Some of them used street art to create awareness.

One example is the group Hatemalo Abhiyan, led by the artist Bhishan Rajbhandari. They painted a series of 9 murals in the Kathmandu Valley, representing the temples that collapsed during the earthquake.

These murals are located where the temples used to be. The artists aimed to make the authorities understand the importance of reconstructing these monuments.

The Kasthamandap painted in Babar Mahal is the first of a series of nine murals representing the collapsed temples of Kathmandu Valley. Credit: Stéphane Huët

Besides this group, many others are expressing their own ideas all over the city. The great approach of the Nepalese people and the growing popularity of this type of art has made of Kathmandu a colourful and interesting city. Also, because it is not illegal, many artists of all over the world are coming to the city to expose their art, creating almost a public gallery, where everyone can expose their paintings and everyone can enjoy it.

Street art might not be the first thing that crosses your mind when deciding to go to Nepal but it is definitely one of the things most people love of Kathmandu. If you decide to go, take your time wandering around the city and discovering the beautiful murals.

Cheers!