| NEPAL Oct 8th - Nov 28th 2000 |
| After the hectic pace and madness of India, Nepal was a relaxing breath of fresh air. My first sighting of the mighty Himalayas was on my 26th birthday. The people of Nepal are calm (although recent events has upset and angered many), and there is a strong Tibetan buddhist influence on the mainly Hindu population. Nepal did not open its borders to foreigners until 1950, until which time it was a communist state, and very much an unknown land. Political parties were allowed only very recently : the Nepalese have become politically active very swiftly and are quick to protest should they be dissatisfied with government policy. However, it is still very much a 3rd world country. Although I did not see a great deal of poverty, there are many people living in the hills and the mountains who survive 'hand to mouth'. The influx of trekkers and mountaineers has ensured a thriving tourist industry, especially in Kathmandu where there are a multitude of good restaurants serving western food. There are also bars and clubs visited by the Nepalese as well as tourists who like to wear party pants (i.e. me). There were a great deal of tourists, yet it is unsurprising as the scenery is stunning and nothing can take away from the Himalayas. |
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