Wednesday, June 8, 2011

You know you're in Nepal when...

You know you're in Nepal (or have been there too long) when ...

...You fall into a sewer. It's the sign of a true Kathmandu veteran.
...You start recognizing the choral pitches and idiosyncrasies of the neighborhood dog barking schedule.
...You start bobbling your head because it's so much easier than motioning 'yes' or 'no' (counts in India too).
...You make friendly eye contact with the driver of a car/motorbike and they still honk at you because they can.
...People comment on your physical appearance (size, shape, features) like foreigners talk about the weather.
...You wake up to the bewildering sound of crows being crazy happy because the neighbors are feeding them uncooked rice. Apparently, they're holy here (pigeons get fed too) So long rats in the sky. 
...People think it's hilarious to single you out and ask "what are YOU having for dinner??" because for them the answer has, was, and forever will be "dahl baht."
...People always answer their cell phones. And by always I mean whilst in a meeting, on the toilet, always. 
...If you don't hit up the chaiya station at work you are not part of the "it" crowd.
...You start to become besties with the local street dogs, referring to them as "sweetie" and buying them dog treats even though you know they're dirty, carry diseases, and only eat watery rice.
...Rooftops are not just for roofing.
...You start to sing along to Nepali songs even though you can't sing high pitched or atonally.
...The mall is the cool place to be and be seen. The cinema too.
...You consider the rifle wearing bamboo holding policemen waiting to close down Thamel at exactly 12 am your friends.
...You're tempted to see what all that glue-sniffing the local street children partake in is all about.
...The phrase "Nepali helicopter" for bicycle rickshaw is still hilarious.
...You hold your breath whilst crossing the Bagmati bridge not for good luck but to save your soul. Seriously, you might die if you catch too strong a whiff.
...People regularly ask you if you like roxy, just to see if you drink the poison.
...You no longer hear old ladies hocking and spitting loogies. It's simply part of the sweet rhythmical sounds of Kathmandu.
...You start to wonder why Nepali coins are so clean and beautiful. It's because they're worth less than a cent.
...You start to fall asleep on the tuk tuk ride home. All that hustle and bustle of bodies is a sweet lullaby. 
...You start to find pre-diabetic rice bellies sexy (thanks Molly).
...You start to rediscover Celine Dion ring tones and find her deserving of a comeback.
...You stop finding the occasional sight of the Himalayas impressive. "Please. You should've seen them in October"...along with all the other tourists who saw them then.
...Potty talk is a regular topic of discussion. Yup.
...You believe that squat toilets are the best choice for public toilets worldwide.
...You're happy it's pouring outside because it means you'll have electricity this evening.
...You've finally braced yourself for a cold bucket shower and the lights go out.
...You've become a connoisseur of momos, thukpa, and dahl baht. "Please, this one has way too much crushed cumin, yellow mustard seed, and masala to be considered authentic."
...Your taste buds have morphed. "Where are all the chillies???!" 
...You know that buff isn't just beef spelled wrong; it's slang for water buffalo. That's right biatches.
...Bargaining with a taxi driver has turned into witty banter."Hahaha. You use meter, now. hahaha."
...When you say "the field", you mean everything outside of Kathmandu.
...You  prayed for the first time in your life while flying on a local flight.
...Being a VIP at events is passe'. Seriously, look at me. Look at me!
...A bandha is a National holiday. 
...You talk about Nepal like you're Nepali because, let's be honest, you've seen it all.
...


Friday, May 20, 2011

Off to the Field

Development workers know this phrase all too well: “I’m off to the field!” What exactly does 'the field' mean? No, it doesn’t mean that you’re off to have a picnic in a field. Although, I guess it could if you really wanted it to. Technically it means going to do work in the project areas. What does going into the field mean for me? Well, in Nepal, it means lots and lots of driving. Usually, there’s also some walking, flying, and maybe even horseback riding if you’re lucky. Other than seeing the program areas, going into ‘the field’ allows me to see the other side of Nepal, the one outside of Kathmandu. Since Kathmandu is the only major city, I think it’s safe to say that there are two walks of life here: urban and rural. Going into the field means 'going rural'.
Recently, on a trip to the very hot Dang district in the Mid West, I started wondering about local life. Yes, it often means sleeping in mud huts, battling the elements, and eating lots and lots of dahl baht. But, I thought, there must be something else. So I asked the blunt question, “what do people do in Dang?” Thus, I did some digging. Trying to stay culturally sensitive, I asked the occasional question like, “what do you do in your spare time?” Usually the answer was three-part: "eat, spend time with family, and rest". Not satisfied, I pressed harder. Yet, I still got the same answers. In return people just asked me when I was getting married. Trying to dodge a handful of bullets, I dropped my quest.
It looks like in Dang, people do have lots of time to spend with family and well, sit around. I guess that’s what happens when you believe in reincarnation. No need to rush when you’ve got more lives to live. The first few days, I found I was very antsy. Then, slowly, the days passed quickly whilst sitting around. Not only did I get to ponder my inner workings but I also started to appreciate the slow paced nature of rural life. Alas, now back in my urban persona, antsy reigns supreme. I do however get to sit at my desk and think about the next time I get to tell people “I’m off to field!”

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

You Come, You Know, Nepal


2011 marked the start of Nepal Tourism Year. Thus, in an attempt to follow suit, I finally took some of my own obligatory tourist shots. Go ahead, click the Annapurna Mountain Range above.

This year, along with catchy slogans such as the title of this post, also brought with it some friends and family members. Family has the ability to make you feel strong and yourself and yet also regress into your weaknesses, your former life in close proximity with your family. Either way, getting to show people close to you all you've been experiencing over the last however many months is one of the best feelings there is.

NYE Pokhara

An 8 hour bus ride to the mountains. A lake nestled below the Annapurna Mountain Range, reaching 8000 meters. New Year's Eve in Pokhara. Watching the paragliders fly over the lake, jumping from mountain to peak. A motorcycle ride away from the center of town, seeing how the locals live, farming, breathing in the fresh air. The lake flows into local rivers, their rocks are used to build bridges. On the lake, boats to a Hindu temple island, beggars wait nearby. Back in town, a street food festival, a sampling of Nepali and Western cuisine, overrated. Nepali men out at night, drinking, having a good time. Spending time with friends, out at night, having a good time. Counting up to a new year. Happy 2011.