| Username |
Post |
| nhuchche |
Posted
on 21-Jan-02 09:29 AM
I'm going to Nepal end of next month. I thought it would be cool to have a thread on cool things to do when you're visiting the motherland..
Please share.
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| Sherpa |
Posted
on 21-Jan-02 10:11 AM
Climb mount everest.
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| Foren Return |
Posted
on 21-Jan-02 11:13 AM
I'll be going back too after 6 years. Yes! finally got my green card :))
What fun things are to do in the capital? What are good restaurants and hang out spots?
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| HahooGuru |
Posted
on 21-Jan-02 06:45 PM
Ten Things I do when I am in Nepal for short visit:
1. I go to my own home, visit relatives here and there.
2. Selected lucky peoples will be given gifts, not only
close relatives, but, some unknowns also, If I like them.
3. Visit Friends. Go to "NANGLO" "Gorkha" ... restaurants
with them have courtesy dinner.
4. There will be flow of invitations for dinner or lunch, and
only selected persons will be lucky to get my participation.
5. Go to New Road, Durbar square indra chowk, bhotahiti, ranipokhari
make a complete loop on foot, take some pictures if found interesting.
(better take digital camera). Early morning would be better
for good photography.
6. Go to bhat bhateni, and buy some candy to good items for
some kids whom you could not buy gift in dollar, but, will be
happy to have imported candy or chocolate.
7. If you are not affiliated to any professional society, its better
to get at least one membership at some one most active and
relevant society (not much politically motivated one).
Go there have a chat, probably, they will offer you Nepali
courtesy the ek-cut-tea "MechiTea", have a chat and make
new friends, some of them you meet there will surely be
brilliant and dedicated to profession. Knowing them will be
worth, and others will be trying to find ways with to leave
Nepal, "k garnu kaam kehi chhaina, frustrations matrai chha".
One of them will keep your interest on returning to Nepal
better and others "frustrated guys" will ask you to stay
abroad. So, that you can choose which one is best.
8. Fly to pokhara (for you may be different), go to my own
village. Then, go here and there, meet old dudes, far
relatives, and gaule daju bhai, former school teachers.
Answer them, "kahile aayeko and kahile jane, sanchai
cchou, kati baschou bahir, padhai sakiyo, ...."
if married, "kati bhaye chhora chhori ... katra bhyae..
if unmarried, "bihe garyou, ... kati barsha ka bhayou ra
bihe garne bela bhayena... .. .". Don't forget to answer
"sanchai .. or sanchai hunuhuncha.... ba ama lai kasto
chh... "..... (in your village, no one will invite you for
lunch or dinner like in cities).
9. Take a tour in your own home town or near by places.
..... If its me, I go to Fewa Lake, Begnash taal, ...
and here and there. Meet some old guys in city, whom
I knew for long. Go to a Zenith photographer, get some
photographs, slides .... He transfers all the copyright
things to you, and nice gentle men. ... Find such
photographers in your town who take pictures round
the year and sells them. Promote them. Chat with them,
I love to chat with such hard working peoples whom I
knew for long time, since my childhood.
10. Time to say good bye, and visit again whome you
think the best relatives, "jiuda ka janti, marda ka malami".
You miss some of them, probably, your parents might
get blow "tapai chhora ./chhori ta kati thuli bhayeki,
ayeko ta suneko thiye, tara ek choti pani mukh na
dekhai farkeko thaha paye, .... AAjkal ka manche
hamilai ke ganthe ra hoina... .", and your parents
might have hard time explaining things, and has
to lie for you.
Well, in the mean time, you can buy things which you
may need as presents for your friends, teachers in
your univ. or colleagues or neighbours: Thanka,
.... MechiTea would be best, but, if someone does
not how to prepare a good tea, its not a good choice.
.....
Don't forget to reconfirm your return flight before 72hours,
and report on airport atleast 2.5hours in TIA, otherwise
you might miss your airline. Its because they ask you atleast
4time to pass through security checks. Terrible.
HahooGuru
PS: Whether you have money or not (as a student),
peoples in Nepal(who had never visited outside Nepal),
will hardly understands that you
don't have it. If you are living in USA, Japan or
European. Think that you are considered just another
type of Lahure "white collar lahure".
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| HahooGuru |
Posted
on 21-Jan-02 09:24 PM
Ten Things I don't like to do when I am in Nepal for short a visit:
1. Don't like to read nepali weeklies and inside pages of
Kantipur (that contains only condolence + pictures). Someone
gave me a reason for this: full of condolence message for same
person's death by various persons, as if an advertisement that
s/he died. If it was one, I could take it as death certificate.
In a office that has job to register janma-Mrityu, they make
lot of issues and ask money make you linger for long time....
to avoid those problem and for later use they just publish it
, but, why so many?
2. Don't like to go to Ratnapark, and new road pipalko bot
in evening hours.
3. Don't like to visit any political leaders, but, some peoples
force me to make a visit with them, that they want to
get an appointent by showing me "mero waha sathi ... falano
thau bata ayeko ... " bhani appoint ment liyear afno kaam
patyaune byakti ka saath.
4. Don't like to drink water in any restaurant, not even
the so called mineral water.
5. Don't like white shirts or pants or woolen jackets.
Woolen suits Require dry cleaning so frequent, you can
hardly use it 2/3 days.
6. Don't want to seat on congested bus, micro-bus, and
dusty taxis. But, walk and walk for hours and whole day
love to walk rather than taking taxi or bus. Going to nepal
means enough free time, so walking is good for health.
Well, dust that enters your body through nose and mouth
is really trouble some.
7. Don't like to visit any government offices. going to govt.
office means, make your mind ready to pay undertable money
to get your things done on time. Neither love to go to any banks
neither Nepal bank, nor private banks.
8. Movie theaters: for last 13years, I have not entered
in any movie theatures, unfortunately. I wanted to see
Nepali movies, but, missed it. Don't wanna see hindi
movies in Nepali theatres. I want Nepalis introduce the
rule like in Korea. No Japanese culture, so, no Jap.
Karaoke songs or movies or catoons..... What about same
funda.
9. Hate the internet connection speed in Nepal and don't like
to open the email address box.
10. Don't like to travel in RNAC airplanes. But, forced in int'l
routes.
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| anepalikt |
Posted
on 21-Jan-02 10:38 PM
get up early one mornign and walk to swayambhu.
go to godhavari (no the resort) and hang out at the botanical gardens, the pokhari and climb phulchowki to see the sunset.
go to dhulikhel for the day. stop in banepa for a roadside meal.
go to Tom and Jerry's (are this around still?) in thamel and get sloshed.
Go to a martin chautari discussion!!!! ask ashu tosh. he will hook you up!
eat sekuwa at the famous joint in putali sadak.
have samosas at the tip top samosa shop in indrachowk
go see a nepali movie in the theater... gopi krishna jinda baad.
go to Milke's in naksal and visit the indigo gallery.
go to the babarmahal complex and have quiche lorraine.
visit pashupati nath and go to a classical concert at the kirateshwar temple in guheswari.............
go have brunch at yak and yeti on sunday.
eat a steak at alice's in thamel.
eat at ghare kabab and see mohan sundar.
go to one of those gazal bars and watch girlies dance (never had the opportuntiy personally... so come back and give us a review).
the point is eat drink and be merry
of course see your friends and family while you do all this.
this is obviously all ktm stuff.... if you want the rest of the country. let me know.
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| SKRS |
Posted
on 21-Jan-02 10:45 PM
Thanks anepalikt. I am also visiting Nepal in two months. Have printed your things-to-do list. Will let you know how many of these I will actually be able to make :)
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| An Indun Poet |
Posted
on 21-Jan-02 11:01 PM
I suggest you look up-- get an eyeful of the mountains, that's what I miss most. Go a little distant, visit some rural place, try and avoid the regular routes. For example, rather than taking the Cable car, walk up to Manakamana. I always remember the spot right below the last climb, where you can see the white mountains in distant fuzzy with the clouds right at your eye level, as if they are floating in the air. I felt envious of those people who woke up to it everyday.
Goto Syambhu in the evening with your family-- we do so little with our family in Nepal except eat, drink, sleep-- this might be a better opportunity for you to know your mother a little more, your father a little more. Learn about their passions, find out what keeps them going, the side you might not have learned before.
Last time I was in Nepal, I got my sister, mother and my father on a train trip to Hari Dwar- my folks are not really that old for a "Tirtha", but I learned so much about them. That was the best thing I have ever done in my life for myself and my family.
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| SKRS |
Posted
on 21-Jan-02 11:12 PM
On a similar note, what are the top 10 list of things to take with you to Nepal for your friends and family and get from Nepal for yourself and your friends?
|
| Sagun |
Posted
on 22-Jan-02 02:02 AM
Thanks HahooGuru and Anepalikt,
I am also visiting to Nepal next month and i read all the way through what you guys wrote. Whatever u guys wrote it is wrothy....thanks
Sagun
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| Sagun |
Posted
on 22-Jan-02 02:06 AM
Anepalikt,
But i will not live at kath and my parents live aoutside the vally. Thanks...
Sagun
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| HahooGuru |
Posted
on 22-Jan-02 06:43 AM
SKRS:
In a similar note, what are the top 10 list of things to take with you to Nepal for your friends and family and get from Nepal for yourself and your friends?
-----
My preferences when but some gifts from USA to Nepal,
some liked very much some rejected, I mean did not have
change in their facial expression.
1. For your parents: You must be remembering your parents
like much everyday. Which you think replacement is necessary.
I take those things. Comfortable clothes, shoes to watches
that can be light and relaxing. As you know the shoes
in Nepal are so bad, they are either too tight or too loose
or too heavy. When my father was here, I took to a shop
and it was made in Bangladesh (sawar ko jutta), he was reluctant to
buy, because he said BATA ko jutta uhi paincha, kina yo
wt. liyera jane. When I was in last winter, he was wearing
the same shoes as if he did not have any other shoes.
I mean it can be as simple as like shoes, made in Bangladesh,
but, things we get in developed countries whether made
in Japan or in China, quality hardly varies, but, they are
more durable and comfortable.
2. For your younger brothers: It can be as small items as
like NY or LA hats. Because these are originals and its
useful to them in casual use. When, I took several other
things, and asked them to select, first item vanished
was that 10dollar 3 piece NY hat bought in Battery Park
and near timessquare.
3.
The other item that went was Dr. Grip ballpen. It was just
3dollar in a discount store, and its shape was so good,
peoples were reluctant to take it, but, when I went next
time, they are asking for that ballpen. In one occasion,
I gave same ballpen to a cousine who studies Medical
in Bangladesh, said that her lab boy took the pen
and said its so nice , you can ask with your brother
for replacement and that lab boy did not return the
pen. I have to replce her pen.
For one cousine, I took one skiing hand globe and
he was riding motorbike from morning to evening.
In next visit, he said "dai le lyaidinu bhako globe
kasto baliyo and ramro thiyo, ani nyano, chordiye
hernus na yahi afnai pasal ko agadi batai".
4. Purse: When you select items for your relatives,
you should plan it before hand, so that weight does
not exceed your two suitcase limit, at least for you
guys going from USA have 50kg of wt., for me,
its just 20kg in RNAC, and for each extra KG they
ask 16dollar extra, and they even don't allow more
than 5kg of hand bag. So, for my relatively far relatives
usually, cousines, I buy purses. Of course, you need
to hunt the shops to get best material in cheap price.
I usually keep a stock of such gifts, espeically targetted
for far relatives, because they are applicable to anyone.
Once I gave a piece to one lady relative. In next visit,
she said she lost Rs. 2,000. along with the purse.
Bus (Boudha bata ---gousala samma) ma chadha da
chori bho. She even did not tell it to her husband,
but, she reported it to me, that the purse was really
nice and good. (I did not pay much, but, origianl
price was really very high).
5. Chocolate: In Nepal the most famous chocolate
is Toblar as gift. But, in KTM, peoples are alredy tired
of this gift, because they can buy in BhatBhateni.
So, I don't like this, except for my kids or bhatij.
Well, if you are passing thrhough BKK and / or
singapore, duty free shopping of chocolate is
best and cheaper in BKK. Excellent candy packs
in cheap price. All the kids I offered liked them.
6. If your purse is heavy and full of green dollars,
then, Sents, lipsticks, ... brand goods would be
fine. But, I can not afford these goods. I only
buy such goods for third person who from here
want me to meet their relative and carry
some gifts on their behalf. Yeah, they like such
expensive things.
7. If you have girl relative who is teen ager,
I suggest to take some good face washing
soaps especially made for girls with skin
troubles. Thats what they can feel very nice
and memorable. Well, in japan, there are
plenty of things which are relatively cheaper
and cheaper than in Nepal.
8. Well, kaka-kaki-mama-maiju . Best
set of gifts would be T-shirts or semi-casual
shirts. Galbandi .... similar sano sasto
and useful.
9. Someone who is in line to get married:
Take some good tie sets and don't forget to
take shocks too. Well, someone told me that
it is customary to give Tie gift accompained
by a pair shocks. Well, if your tie is really
good, it will appear in the Video cassette of
the marriage ceremony, and it will be recorded
for life time and they will remember your gift.
I like tie pins too. My boss once told me that
in USa, only clerks wear tie-pins or you wea
when you are going inside your boss's room,
but, in Nepal and other parts of Asia and even
in Japan, he said you must have tie-pin.
continued...
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| HahooGuru |
Posted
on 22-Jan-02 06:44 AM
Part II:
10. Well, if you are earning 5x(5digit) green dollars
then, don't ask me. You already know better than
me, provided you are not kanjus, makkhichus.
Some peoples joke in Nepal that when their
relative came from USA, they brought Bhada
majhne spong foam, which is also available in
Nepal. Nothing special.
In case, you have just started to work and earn
some money affordable to buy some relatively
expensive goods, then, I suggest you buy some
unique shaped golden jewelary for your mother
(only for her). Well, it depends on your father's
choice, but, my fathe hates any jewelary, so,
I don't have to worry about such things.
When you buy gift for your parents, it should
not be repeating it with anyone else, and let
them realize that they are not replacable.
whoever your parents, they will surely feel
it. Even they had no feeling at the time you
present a gift, they, will start it feeling when
others will comment on your gifts. Its Nepali
society, whether in village or in KTM it matters.
Even in Japan, I have found peoples make
very special comments on gifts given by
their kids, whatever may be the age.
If you are in joint family, don't forget anyone.
If you can not carry gifts for all at once, because
you donT have money or because wt. does not
allow, I suggest you divide peoples in group.
Like kaka -kaka or aunt aunt ... male male
female female ... I open my mouth tell
frankly that this time for this group of people,
and next time for next group. So, that everyone
gets happy in your next visit. Bhagwan Ram le
sablai khusi parna sakenan, hamile ke sakthyou ra.
We can not sacrifice like ram did by sacrificing his
own wife for whom he fought so many years
against Rawan. So, don't worry, if your grouping
is not very bad, it will not be really bad in long run.
(when you make groups, just watch the earning
level and you may make observation who needs
what and your guess does not break their heart).
My experience is that Gift is such a great thing,
it can make relation better, or break the relation too
if you are making discriminatory. e.g. giving one
daju-bhauju a sun ko haar, and other gold plated
things. We are people. We don't care what we
get, but, we care what our rival got.
So, be successful estimator. If you came to US
when you were teen ager, and if you have
crossed 24 at the end of your grad studies
and is returning for short term, don't think that
they will excuse you jsut because ........
Last suggestion, if have no money, no interest,
and if you know someone who was abraod quite
number of time but, never remembered your family
member, then, there is no need of starting a gift.
They will understand it. Don't make mistake.
If don't want don't take gift to any one, you can
even go empty hand and say, I was student and
did not have money. I am really sorry. not only
you, i did not bring it for anyone else. Well, for
some time they will be disappoionted, but, they
will gradually understand you and your situatio.
Excuse you.
For those who could not get gift from you, but,
cool peoples, its better to offer dinners in restaurants
and it costs really very cheap if they are not
drunkards. Only food is not really expensive in
Nepal, if you are living in Japan or in USa, where
a lunch is not less than 5dollars.
HahooGuru
|
| An Indun Poet |
Posted
on 22-Jan-02 10:42 AM
Funny, I took a roll of Garbage Bag with me. They loved it. Now every once in a while someone goes from here, I send them more of it.
Garbabe bags are not available in Nepal, I think some of these Plastic Industry ought to think about it.
Plastics do polute though, so it might not that great.
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| catman |
Posted
on 22-Jan-02 11:57 AM
Is it true that thesedays it is easy to find lots of beautiful girls to have fun with?? Where do you find this in catmandu.
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| HahooGuru |
Posted
on 22-Jan-02 06:28 PM
Beautiful girls for you:
The answer for you is Annapurna Hotel.
Sometime back there was a news where the
Manager ...(???) someone from Annapurna
hotel made a comment on Beautiful Girls
for the peoples from India who like you,
he said his customers come to Nepal just for girls.
Ask the manager.
HahooGuru
references: Kathmandu Post, date frgotten.
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| ashu |
Posted
on 22-Jan-02 09:36 PM
Patan Museum is definitely worth a visit.
It's the best of its kind in the world.
Go there in the morning, around 10 or so,
and later have lunch in its peaceful, tranquil restaurant in
the garden.
Two years ago, the museum got a very positive
review in, I think, "Architectural Digest" magazine.
More info:
http://www.asianart.com/patan-museum/
Also, if you are into adventure sports, you may want to find out more about bungee jumping over Bhotay Koshi River near Nepal-China border. It's safe, fun, takes only a day (you leave home in the morning, and will be back by the evening). Do it with a group of friends, and you all can dine on the experience
for weeks and months to come.
More info:
http://www.thamel.com/destinationnepal/bungee.html
I second all of anepalikt's recommendations and am impressed by her reference
to classical music at Kirateswor: For my money, however, the best sekuwa is found at a certain sekuwa-joint on the way to the airport than those in Puali Sadak. Then again, Butterfly Street s right in the heart of Kathmandu.
Traveling by bus to locations outside of Kathmandu is a hassel in these Emergency times: The police and the army stop you at too many points to do the checking.
Have fun.
oohi
ashu
ktm,nepal
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