The Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal
In and around Nepal
The exotic sound of "Kathmandu", Nepal's capital. The Himalaya, which means "Abode of Snows" in sanskrit and refering to home of the most beautiful and highest mountain range in the world, rising high above the cloud line, all ranging over 20,000 feet - touching heaven. Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world, stands in all it's might here. The Royal Chitwan Sanctuary, where you can wade through pristine jungle perched on an elephant in search of elusive tigers while surrounded by the abundance of rhino.
A kingdom blessed with nature's finest treasures but sadly besieged by inner turmoil -political turmoil. Tourism in the past few years has waned significantly due to this conflict.
In the surface, this is all I knew about Nepal before arriving. I'm hoping my journey through this part of the world will help me understand and better grasp a deeper truth about Nepal's precious jewels - the people and nature's treasures alike, which seem to lay dormant but are desperately trying to survive - hoping to be rediscovered and waiting to be uncovered, all the while, engulfed and suffering inner conflict.
I want to discover truth of Nepal, a place where heaven and hell seem to, unfortunately, coexist.
Route taken and entries by Real Traveler Romena
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1
Journey to Buddha's Birthplace
His frail body crouched over the handle bars and mirrored the rickety frame of the bicycle he pedalled, transporting me to the next town. He grunte... Continue reading »
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2
Shackled Youth
"Dear God, she's sad! Why is she sad?" I thought to myself. She's just a child. Her life is barely unfolding. The scrawny young girl about 11 years... Continue reading »
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3
Salvation?
Contrasting Images and Experiences. That's how it's been so far during my time in Nepal.
First, I arrived in the dusty, dirty and loud border... Continue reading »
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4
Pokhara
Beautiful mountains surround paradise. Birds sing in a chorus it's hymns carried through the morning air. A single inhalation sends sweet cool air... Continue reading »
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5
Nepal: A closer look at the news!
In an attempt to further understand the political crisis in this country , I have been reading the newspapers daily.
Because as a whole, the... Continue reading »
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6
What?Me? Trekking?: Yes ME, Trekking!!
Perhaps, it's my crazy and insatiable sense of curiosity that has sent in the brink of delerium and hire a guide to take me, trekking through an ar... Continue reading »
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Trekking: Leaving Civilization
Civilization and a world of ancient tradition was linked by a low lying suspension bridge that crossed over the rushing aquamarine river. It’s fero... Continue reading »
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Trekking, Day 2 : Hellish Ascent
Pain shot through my legs with just a slight wiggle of my toes. I sat up in bed and felt a stretchy pain on my bottom and hips. I threw the blanket... Continue reading »
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Trekking, Day 3 : The Jungle
The morning light highlighted the jungle’s foliage. Each flora, brightly reflected their feeling towards each other’s beauty - pure envy. The effec... Continue reading »
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10
Love at First Sight
He stood there.
Impressively. Beautifully. Astoundingly. Mightily, before me.
Basking solemnly under the glorious sun.
His silhou... Continue reading »
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Trekking, Day 4: Glimpses of Heaven
The evening stars sparkled above us like angels peering down down from peepholes on heaven’s floor. The dark looming shadow of Poon Hill towered ov... Continue reading »
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12
UNDER CONSTRUCTION: Trekking, Day 5: Descending to Ghandruk
CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION! Continue reading » -
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A Bad Welcome Back!
On the day that I walked back to civilization, I was on a natural high which could have lasted days or weeks. But an incident threatened to send my... Continue reading »
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14
A Country Under House Arrest
The shops and restaurants' steel doors remained rolled down and padlocked shut. No vehicles plied the road. A road block with armed guard... Continue reading »
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15
Nepali New Year
When you pass the threshold of time between being a “passing” traveller and a “resident” traveler, you can’t suppress the enveloping force of intim... Continue reading »
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Nepali New Year!(Sad)
The following letter was posted in the Editorial & Opinion section of the Kathmandu Post, most fittingly on the day of Nepali New Year, Friday,... Continue reading »
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Leaving Pokhara
"Romena, I will change your name. You look nepali. From now on I will call you Rama Gurung" exclaimed my dai, Chandra, owner of the little daal bha... Continue reading »
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19
My Angel!
Last night, on my way back from Durbar Square, my head hung low as I wallowed in my sadness and confusion. Tears threaten to fall and blur my visio... Continue reading »
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20
In Kathmandu!
Exotic Architecture. Dilapidated Buildings. Ancient Temples. Modern Bars. People, motorcycles, bicycles, all dodging eachother at the last second.... Continue reading »
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21
Relaxing in Nagarkot!
Clouds and mist slowly encroached on the hill, shrouding the surroundings into memory. I sat there reminiscing about the last couple of days I’ve s... Continue reading »
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22
Life's Uncertainties
Mothers, fathers, daughters and sons
Friends, lovers, husbands and wives
Embrace each other daily.
Continue reading » -
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One Photo!
There are times in life, when no words can be found to fully justify an event, a feeling, or a moment.
For this portion of my journal, I would... Continue reading » -
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The Himalayan Times
A few weeks ago when I first arrived in Kathmandu, I read the Himalayan Times and in one section they posed a question, would you travel solo or in... Continue reading »
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UNDER CONSTRUCTION! A King and a Living Goddess
UNDER CONSTRUCTION Continue reading » -
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A Shot of Estrogen
My best friend, Ajie, sent me a group photo of the "Fab Five"at our friend's wedding which had taken place last weekend. Of course, there are only... Continue reading »
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27
Kathmandu 90210
Two days . That’s all it took.
Different countries.
Different worlds. Different views.
Two Israelis, a frenchwoman and an americ... Continue reading »
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28
**MOVIE CLIP: My Band of Brothers
I grew up in a house full of women. There were five of us to be exact - my mother, myself and my 3 younger sisters. The only male was my poor fathe... Continue reading »
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29
Falling in Love and Walking Away!
Language barriers, differing societies, family obligations.
Complications.
PRIDE.
The fear of possibly staying and never going ba... Continue reading »
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30
ONE more month. I PROMISE!
"What??" I thought you said you will only be gone for 6 months wrote a few friends in a rush of emails I received in January... Continue reading »
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31
My Anniversary!
I've done it! I've accomplished my dream!
I dance around enjoying this moment!Exactly one year ago on July 17, 2005, tears flo... Continue reading »
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32
Happiness and Sadness
Sadness gripped my inner being
My breathe of life abandoned me
My smile, my laughter, my spirit fled elsewhere
Shattered pieces o... Continue reading »
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33
**Movie Clip: Introducing Punam Kali!
I gently touched her face and begged, “Please don’t make me fall," then reached over and held on to both her ears. I lifted my right foot, placed i... Continue reading »
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34
Nature's Therapy!
Green-all shades of green invoke a universal feeling of calm and tranquility. Renewal and revitialization. Sauraha, a village in Chitwan, is luckil... Continue reading »
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35
The Ties that Heal!
At a time when my heart was healing,
They welcomed me into
Their heart
Their lives
Their families!
Continue reading »
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36
At the Khola!
The transitions between day and evening at the “khola” -the nepali word for river- was flawlessly stunning and I felt lucky that I was able to... Continue reading »
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37
Pokhara Again!
"I'll be back in about a month," I said when I had left Pokhara the first time. Almost 3 months later, I was finally able to return back... Continue reading »
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38
Funeral Pyres at Pashupatinath!
Brilliantly red and orange flames devoured all things in its path, crackling and popping as it turned wood into embers and flesh into ashes. The sc... Continue reading »
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39
Gai Jatra
The festival of Gai Jatra is a time when families, who have lost a loved one during the past year, gather as a community and enga... Continue reading » -
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"Living" in Kathmandu!
My definition of family is not just limited to blood relations but includes relationships which were built with people who, at different intervals... Continue reading »
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41
Leaving Nepal!
The motor revved as I held on for dear life. I was hunched forward, balancing myself and my bulging backpack, as I sat, side saddle on the motorcyc... Continue reading »
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