| Username |
Post |
| Extrovert |
Posted
on 23-Jun-02 04:16 PM
A friend in San Francisco has chronicled his experiences while taking a recent trip to Nepal. He works as a software developer in the city. However, his talent in writing is very profound with conviction - which, I honestly believe, is very much in par to that of a good jouranlist or a writer . As you will read in a moment, his uttermost honesty is so prolific and visible about his visit I thought it would be most interesting to share this with you all intelligent folks. Please drop a line to Brandon if you feel that you were moved. ;o)
Enjoy:
http://www.gaijin.com/journal/nepal/
-Extrovert
|
| Introvert |
Posted
on 23-Jun-02 04:48 PM
Nothing else but stereo typical views of Nepal. If your gay buddy from San Francisco had been a little more open to paying attention to he might have found Nepal has more to offer than what he has chronicled.
|
| ke bhanne |
Posted
on 23-Jun-02 04:53 PM
a fine peice of crap !
|
| Extrovert |
Posted
on 23-Jun-02 05:17 PM
Would you two like to point out any particular material in the chronology that leads you make such remarks?
Ever heard of constructive criticism? Now, revert to your statements, and make a 'case-in-point' for each remark you make. Then we will have something to go on. Otherwise, do not bother to meddle.
-Extrovert
|
| Introvert |
Posted
on 23-Jun-02 09:34 PM
Dear Extrovert.
Hard to pick any particular parts because the entire chronology of events is just pure, unadultarated crap.
You sound upset, is it because I have been honest with my opinion? However, I admire how you've jumped to salvage your boy friends reputation. I know my comments are rude and offensive but I think you friends images of Nepal are equally rude and offensive to me.
Take Care.
|
| like it |
Posted
on 23-Jun-02 10:28 PM
Hey you all bad m outhing "natives"! What is so bad about this article? It is some tourist's feelings and thoughts and observation and not badly presented at all. I had fun reading and unlike you all (my guess) I happen to read a lot of these travel stories. And still I liked it.
|
| porky |
Posted
on 24-Jun-02 08:20 AM
conscientiously written, Brandon's journal was a delightful read. i miss those very things we take for granted here in the West.
I long for the noises in those narrow streets, those fordboding taxi rides, the bumpy 'tempos' and .....so much! can't wait to go back home.
porky
|
| porky |
Posted
on 24-Jun-02 08:23 AM
*foreboding*
|
| NepGirl |
Posted
on 24-Jun-02 11:49 AM
brought back lotta memories ...
|
| Extrovert |
Posted
on 24-Jun-02 12:44 PM
Introvert,
I am not upset at all. However, those images he describes are the bitter truth. And as I have stated before, pick any material out of the site, and we can discuss it piece by piece if you want. I am sorry, but you don't seem to have a sense of recognition of your own country when such intricate details of it is richly portrayed by Brandon. Personally, I don't see anything wrong with what he has written, and I just think you are full of it albeit I respect your views if you can reference them properly. Maybe you don't understand how it's been conveyed and portrayed. Perhaps, you cannot acccept it and face reality. Maybe your views are too conservative to grasp the writings of a liberal or to appreciate a well-writtten journal from a person who has inundated respect for our culture. I have no idea what the **** is offensive to you unless you tell me. Just understand that this chronology is just a mere narrative of one average American's trip, and the views may or may not be reflective that of the general American public. I hate to tell you, but I am a 100% Nepali like yourself, and I always will be. I was born in Ktm, and know the city well. I, too 'long for the noises in those narrow streets, those fordboding taxi rides, the bumpy 'tempos' and .....so much!' as porky has phrased it so suitably.
By the way your reference to homosexuality just because he lives in San Francisco is just purely hippocritical on your part. So, stick to the topic of discussion like molasses on a finger, eh?
-Extrovert
|
| Satya |
Posted
on 24-Jun-02 12:56 PM
I like it. It is 02:00 AM now and I need to go for work today morning. I just finished reading it. Remaining comment after some time.
Just a small note: Brandon saw PRC in ROC!
-Satya
|
| chirag |
Posted
on 24-Jun-02 01:02 PM
Bitter but actual realities,
Vivid images of the capital,
Painted by an american artist,
On Nepali canvas.
|
| Koko |
Posted
on 24-Jun-02 01:16 PM
Mr Extrovert,
Ok your Buoy has taken some college writing class.... Buh wats with tha hostility ? You rather take that white Buoy's side rather than your own ? ... If you look at any other White Buoy's Journal.. would probably resemble this one.
Its just funny that you could not take criticism from your own brothers.... Buh If a White Buoy had said that you probably would have been fine with that.
Journal is an individual's view and does not represent the general population's consensus. So If he says anything unsatisfactory... we as readers have every right to criticize him. And if you did not have the appitite for criticism... then why bring the article here in the first place(the world is not full of rosy cheeks and dimple chins yuh know, you are bound to run into Mahisasuuur once in a while).
If you want constructive criticism then go have it published in the New Yorker or Reader's Digest or the pulitzer comittee.... aiight. Buh here you're gonna get criticism from Ram, Shyam and Balaraam(From Gaaijaatre Patrika) and your OOOOhhi Nepali brothers and sisters....
|
| Introvert |
Posted
on 24-Jun-02 01:23 PM
Extrovert,
I'd love to go through the the pieces one by one but I am afraid there are just too many I disagree with.
For starters,refer to the part where Brandon is wanting to tip the driver or is it one of the street kids. I really don't like the term he uses "These People", I think it is patronizing.
I personally feel the images Brandon potrays are just too narrow. Just like Satyajit Ray did with the potryal of Calcutta and West Bengal. I have run into a lot of people that think Calcutta is one big slum, all based on accounts of A City of Joy.
We could go on and on about this. I choose to put an end to this here.
Enjoy the rest of your day.
|
| Extrovert |
Posted
on 24-Jun-02 03:04 PM
Koko,
I have no idea what you are on about. Have you taken enough time to read the journal? I don't take sides based on racist infiltration, something you've already been sucumbed to it seems like. If you were to know Brandon you would change your mind in an instant. His honesty is unbearably and undeniably strong. And he has always been this way. Sorry, but I had to squeeze them in since you are now questioning his character. In order to exemplify this, allow me to post some excerpts from the chronologies.
This is part of his epilogue after he returned to San Francisco from Ktm:
" however, there is a seething ball of anger lurking beneath the cloak of emotional stability; a core of electric red fire, calm in its destructive energy - a mature anger, non-explosive. i walked through the upper haight area and there were many people who had four limbs and full vision begging for money, indicating that they were poor. i wanted to choke them: their mis-understanding of what 'poor' actually is seemed to me to insult those who were truly poor in the world. i have come to terms with my own personal wealth - i do not feel guilty for being advantaged thusly (and i am not truly wealthy by american standards) - but that does not prevent me from feeling this anger. perhaps it is irrational. perhaps not. i shall have to explore the nature of this anger further.
one thing is for certain: while i was intellectually aware of the state of american imperialism, i was un-connected emotionally to it. now, i find that i have a great shame inside my soul - for who i am, for the things my country does, for our hypocrisies and the large devils we try to keep on chains.
the women who treat bottled water as gold; the legless beggar outside of a temple who weeps when given a single rupee; the people who sleep on the steps of maju deval; the old woman working to sell a total of ten radishes in the outdoor market, hair unkept, clothing muddy, but eyes filled with the glory and message of god - how does this not change me? how can i be that which i was before? " (epilogue)
" This land, this people, this culture - it is so beautiful, I could cry for joy. God, their faith, their soul - this is what rules thier lives; Nepal has a soul and its soul is showing me new, beautiful facets of my own." (DAY 6)
And I could go on...
-Extrovert
|
| Sandra B. |
Posted
on 24-Jun-02 09:00 PM
Extrovert!
How's yr skiny dipn' plan coming uo ?
|
| QreUS.. |
Posted
on 24-Jun-02 10:47 PM
Extrovertji, there you are. In another thread, NKji is being despised by a highly happy flock of Me-and-my-lil-warm-bed types of souls. And here, there is another Don’t-wanna-listen-anything kind of creatures. My only amazement is why on earth they are out.
|
| koko |
Posted
on 25-Jun-02 08:15 AM
Mr Extrovert,
I have not even taken enough time to read it because its boring. I've read stuff like that written by many foreigners in many of RNAC magazines, National Geographic, and tourism pamphlets. For me its just another boring peice of PATRONIZING article by some foreigner(which I am not interested in). I like my Nepal the way I see it, not through someone else's eyes. Cause they will never experience the true Nepal, THE Nepal I know. He can have an opinion but I'm simply not interested.
I don't know Brandon and I don't wanna know him. I am just saying that this noting special... Yeah right this dude wrote this article ....so what. There are millions of article out there, does not mean I have to like each and everyone of them.
|
| Suna |
Posted
on 25-Jun-02 08:36 AM
Thats what he saw and those are the impressions he got.
Whats wrong with that??
He was not very critical. And even if he was, so what?? That does not change our culture, our society, nor our values!
Thanks Extrovert! I think the guy did a good job of putting his travel memoirs together!
|
| Koko |
Posted
on 25-Jun-02 10:34 AM
I relate this article to the same people that ask me," Do you have cars in Nepal ?" Just like I would nevert have known USA like I know today. You know why Cause I have lived here and know what its like(on a day to day basis). Its like a portrait of a painting... through his eyes. Some may like it some won't... but that's life. I in particular did not like his portray. Some poeple like impressionism, some like modern, some like cubism.....
I never said there is anything wrong with it. I just don't like that PATRONIZING part of it. It all boils down to what you are aware of....
WHen Fr Greg or someone that has lived in Nepal for years, drank the same water, ate the same food. That person would have a much depth in understanding what it means to be a Nepali than some Tourist's journal of what Nepal is.
|
| Extrovert |
Posted
on 25-Jun-02 11:41 AM
koko,
I don't want to illuminate your thoughts on how perceptive you should be in what the rest of the world thinks about our culture. But, when you say you dont' give a **** about what others think, then reading this chronology ( all are Brandon's opinion) is redundant. Just keep in mind that it is ardently dangerous to have this kind of perspective when you are living at-large in a world community with multi-cultural atmosphere.
I am afraid that you are missing the big picture here. And I understand how some of his criticism (i.e. water, food) may be offensive to you. But, does it bother you that he analyzes the way our society functions so that he can better understand our culture? He wants to persuade a United Nations official about improving education in Nepal; does this reflect your sense of how he patronizes our ppl and culture? Do you ever think maybe some foreigners who have a genuine interest in Nepal might lead the way in helping us to reform many issues that face us? Everyone begins small at one point in time, and Brandon's first visit seemed to me like he got an accurate picture of ktm. As you may not be aware, but Brandon is not very proud of how the US has geared its policy toward countries like Nepal; this is vehemently in line with how the IMF and the World Bank have loaded us up in debt. (IMF and World Bank are just fronts for the US)
But, since you DID NOT bother to read the journal itself we have nothing further to discuss. End of story.
-Extrovert
|
| Koko |
Posted
on 25-Jun-02 01:08 PM
Bottom line... I know Nepal... Don't need no white man's interpretation of what it is or what it should be. Countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Afganisthan, Sikkim, Tibet etc etc. They all have existed for thousands of years their own way(long before europeans). Its all within the perspective..how you(as a person) see it. Good example Afganisthan..not Afgani people's Afganisthan, but the west's veiw of itor how it should be. Where were they when people were starving before the Taliban took over. Yeah where was Usa when India put economic blocade againt Nepal. WE begged and pleaded to the world community. Did anyone help us at the Kerosine Que, or the Sugar Que, or the Salt que. None...
I don't give a horse's ass about no article...but I care about people.
You read you forget but you interact leaves an everlasting impact.
|
| CK |
Posted
on 25-Jun-02 01:16 PM
Leave Koko alone pleeeez. Don't force him to read, learn and think. Let me paraphrase a Nepali proverb here, Bhaloo laai Pooran sunaaunu bekaar chha. Leave him in his own jungle.
|
| Koko |
Posted
on 25-Jun-02 02:52 PM
Ck ,
Don't force anyone that fking right on...If you force you won't learn. Yuh must be talking about the Grizzlies(you've experienced in KTM)... Cause I don't see none. You leave me in my jungle and I will leave you in yours.
This moron is saying that this white boy's perspective of Nepal is better than the real picture. Its like saying I like the artificial flowers than the real flowers because they don't go bad. Give me a Fking break....
I fking hate people who think they know everything in the world. I AM TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE PATRONIZING(not the person, not philosophy, nothing else) .....
|
| Magazine Writer |
Posted
on 25-Jun-02 04:05 PM
Extrovert is right.
Real Nepal and Real Nepali culture knows person who did study and research about Nepal and Nepalese. Most of the existing Nepalese outside countries are not real Nepalese. They even don't know their real culture, real problem and their future.
They love to wear Levis, big boot called "Dr. Martin".
They like to walk and talk like Hollywood superstars.
They think that they are brilliant man on earth, but don't know nothing.
They loves to drink Heiniken, Budwiser and Takila, but they don't have drinking water at home.
- Magazine Writer
|
| Biswo |
Posted
on 25-Jun-02 05:26 PM
I am just curious why a lot of Nepalese expect foreigner to fake their experience
and say only good things about Nepal. And here we are, we denigrate US
whenever we want, freely.
Let's learn to ignore, or learn from, those comments , ok. One Rhitik Roshan scandal already harmed us sufficiently.
|
| Extrovert |
Posted
on 26-Jun-02 01:38 PM
My point exactly.
It is unfortunate that some of us don't appreciate the 'good-deeds' we see in some of these foreigners. After all, we do collaborate with these folks everyday as an individual or a group, whether the issue is concerning technology, economy, or education. And yes, these foreigners do have the advantage over a lot of us, but then again they don't know our hunger to succeed either.
Nevertheless, let us learn to avoid these natives, which I like to term them as a few 'can of bad worms', and yes there are some out there; and go about our business. Learning to deal with them has been my personal experience.
-Extrovert
|
| Koko |
Posted
on 26-Jun-02 02:09 PM
This is exactly what the problem is in Nepal.
Educated people like y'all choose to ignore general people's concensus.
Yeah.... let's just ignore these morons(or bad apples so to speak) and go about our business. That the perfect attitude to have. And because of that our country is doing sooooo well.
If you want true democracy then y'all will have to lend your ears to every Ram and Shyam out there. If you don't even have the patient to listen to one person...... how on earth are you going to deal with the entire population ???
Its exactly those can of worms that always create problem for entire nations don't forget. And if you keep ignoring them like you just did then those problems(can of worms) are going to get bigger and bigger.
Learning to deal with them by ignoring them is not going to help you ma fren.
|
