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 Going to Nepal after 15 years

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Posted on 10-07-14 10:44 AM     Reply [Subscribe]
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Finally going to Nepal after 15 years. Leaving in couple weeks...Will be there for 40 days.. I was 19 when I first came here, wondering what has changed how it will be... anybody here with similar experience plz share..
Any suggestions on travel, and places to see??
Thanks..

 
Posted on 10-07-14 10:55 AM     [Snapshot: 29]     Reply [Subscribe]
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Wow 15 years? Amazing. You will see lot of changes specially pollution and A LOT of people. It will be overwhelming for you for few days but after that you will get used to it. First thing you will noticed will be the airport. A unique dirty little airport. You don't have to look for any sign for the direction( if there is any). Crowd you lead you to the terminals. I would say you will love the visit. I have been to almost all the states in US but couldn't find any better unique place than Nepal.
Good luck to you my friend and enjoy your visit!
 
Posted on 10-07-14 11:33 AM     [Snapshot: 132]     Reply [Subscribe]
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you will land in different world. kathmandu and capital is not what's like in 2000. people are not the same.

things are a lot expensive.

country and people have modernized.
 
Posted on 10-07-14 11:46 AM     [Snapshot: 153]     Reply [Subscribe]
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Buy a quality mask from the US. Pollution in Kathmandu is outrageous. You will literally see thick fog of pollution in front of you. Public transportation in Kathmandu is like going to a war. Be prepared ! Also, 40 days after 15 years doesn't seem adequate time for me. It will pass so quick that you will wonder what the heck I did on those 40 days! Treat your 20 rupees as 5 rupees. Take some time to visit Pashupatinath. Whatever is your reasons to visit Nepal, one thing is certain: You will enjoy your visit no matter what the pollution is, no matter the country is poor, no matter the politics is bad and no matter whatever !

Mother tongue and mother land are the givers of happiness - Rig Veda.
 
Posted on 10-07-14 11:58 AM     [Snapshot: 185]     Reply [Subscribe]
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Thank you guys for the good feedback. Ujl wish I could stay longer but can't get a lot of time off from work.
 
Posted on 10-07-14 12:06 PM     [Snapshot: 194]     Reply [Subscribe]
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please share your experience when you return back.

After 15 years, you will find that a lot of people that used to know are not in Nepal anymore. Things have become ridiculously expensive and Nepali have become more modern that us. People have the latest cell phones and quite a few Range Rovers!

I would say visit Nagarkot, Dhulikhel at least. If you can go further, go to Pokhara and Chitwan too. Don't forget to eat local foods but be cautious. Always drink bottle water since you stomach will not be able to handle.

It will feel weird at first but then you will get used to it. Have fun
 
Posted on 10-07-14 12:43 PM     [Snapshot: 30]     Reply [Subscribe]
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Congratulations! Just by reading your post, I can say that I am excited for you! Going back home after a decade and half is truly very special - no matter what your reason is for not going or not being able to go back for a visit - you will find significant changes in Nepal. I first visited Nepal after about 8.5 years here in the US and even then I found drastic changes than when I had left in 1999 (you must have left Nepal around the same time). 

First things first, on your last leg of flight to Kathmandu, make sure you get a window seat on the left side of the aircraft (this would be seat row 'A'). If possible, try to get a seat on the front side of the aircraft so that you will not have an obstructed view because of the wings. When the aircraft descends in Kathmandu from the southern hills of the valley, just seeing the hills, rivers, farm lands of your motherland after ages will be a special moment - it was for me. As you are in final approach for landing, on the left side of the aircraft, you will see so many new constructions, houses, sky scrapper apartment buildings, shopping complexes, and the traffic that did not exist when you left - your first glimpse of the big change that Nepal and especially Kathmandu has encountered over the decade.

After landing and deplaning the aircraft a bus will take you to the airport terminal where you will be directed towards the immigration area. There you will see a long line of people rushing to be first in the line to be inspected at the immigration counter, and they will be standing so close and almost touching one another. When your turn comes to be inspected, there is no please or thank you and definitely no smile. One might mistake this for a rude behavior but am sure you will not take it personally, as culturally and traditionally we are not very good at expressing friendliness. 

When you exit the airport you will feel as if you're in a different planet - you will not escape the busy traffic with its noises and honks, which is perfectly normal there. Anyways, turning to food, DO try the variety of restaurants and eateries that have emerged (even I do not have a good knowledge of these restaurants but am sure your family & friends will pour in some great ideas). My suggestion is start your day with 'Jeri & Swari' and then hunt for other delicacies. Don't miss 'Baje ko Sekuwa'; some places I like are Tamas, Thakali Kitchen (behind Narayanhiti), Fire & Ice; Machan; and I forgot the names of others. There are a bunch of selection of restaurants on Durbar Marg as well. Also, don't forget to check out the western style coffee houses for coffee and pastries that have opened up around the city. For a upscale fine dinning, I could recommend Hotel Dwarika's Krishnarpan restaurant that serve authentic Nepali cuisine, meals from 6 to 22 courses depending on your selection. 

For places to visit in the valley, do visit the durbar squares of all three cities, and inquire about tourist guide to give you a tour of the squares (highly recommended). Usually, there are green booths in these squares that are tourist information centers. They are not very expensive (anywhere from Rs. 500 - 1000) and they will give you a very comprehensive tour of the square describing the historical, cultural and religious significance of the temples, palaces and monuments, and how they have impacted generations of Nepali people. In Kathmandu durbar square, don;t forget to tour the Kumari house and Hanuman Dhoka museum and the courtyard where coronation of all Shah kings have taken place staring from King Prithvi Narayan Shah  (as the king of Nepal after conquering Kathmandu on Indra Jatra day in 1768, as Kathmandu was called back then) till the last monarch, Gyanandra. Also, there are oher musesums to visit if you are really interested in Nepali cultural and political history from pre Rana era till the recent past: Chaunni museum, Military museum (Chaunni), Narayanhiti museum. Garden of Dreams would be another good place, especially in this weather. 

If you want to take a tour out side of the city, Gokarna resort or resorts in Dhulikhel and Nagarkot could be good choices. Gokarna offers you a out-in-the-woods composure where as you will find hill top and mountain viewing serenity in Nagarkot or Dhulikhel, away from the city's lively environment. Pokhara and Chitwan would also be other good options to consider if you're up for a trip out of the valley. In interested in trekking, I like the Ghandruk, Tatopani, Jomsom, Upper Mustang trek (about 2 weeks) - untouched part of the world with its intact natural serenity and beauty - unlike anywhere else in the world. 

I am sure, you will be offered a magnitude of options and suggestions here to make your visit to Nepal a joyous filled with ever lasting memory. Good Luck to you, have a lot of fun and do share with us your experience of your visit after 15 years!

NOTE: be very careful with water. Always drink boiled or good quality bottled water or you will fall sick. Period. 
Last edited: 07-Oct-14 12:44 PM
Last edited: 07-Oct-14 12:50 PM

 
Posted on 10-07-14 1:54 PM     [Snapshot: 396]     Reply [Subscribe]
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Nevada Jee,
Your tour advice is outstanding. However, I have a few lines for you. You are giving those precious tour guide to a Nepali person who grew up and had knowledge of every bit of Nepal.
Your tour guide is excellent for only tourists, I mean non-Nepalese (unnaturalized in US).
Especially, your paragraph 5 and 6 are indigestable for Nepalese. I visited Nepal last year after 14 years.
This is my take.

Thanks


 
Posted on 10-07-14 5:53 PM     [Snapshot: 582]     Reply [Subscribe]
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Bhaute_kaji
I am very happy for you since you will be home after more than a decade. I went home after 10 years and now I want to go every year. Once you leave the States, you feel more American the closer you get to the home and see more browner skins than you really are. If you get to go via middle east you feel like you are boarding Sajha Bus rather than a Boeing. Once you land the TIA it feels like you just landed in DMV office. When people receive you at the airport you feel like you just came from Saudi Arabia. When you get a Taxi and go though the Traffic you feel like you are in Siraha. When you reach your home, apartment or dera feel very lucky if you get to shower. You get out in the evening and saw a woman selling red hot "Makai", you feel like buying it and ask how much. She will tell you Rs 25 and you go like " WTF, I used to pay Rs 2.50 10 yrs ago." She will stare you down. You want to read " Kantipur" and will be surprised to see that the cost is Rs 10 compared to Rs 2 that you used to pay. Sag ko mutha is Rs 25. Bleeping Halls that we used to take after a khilli of churot is Rs 5 per piece. You throw Rs 5 on the road. Nobody will pick up. You think that you came from America and flash your Iphone 4 in Safa Tempo, the Khalashi will pull out Iphone 5. You go to Thamel with 5 friends to have drink. When the check comes, you feel like you want to take back door and just disappear. You start converting Rs into $$. That being said I still enjoyed my visit. Kathmandu is damn expensive. But if you want to become bhukka tourist you will be if you don't manage your budget. If you want to pick up each and every check whenever you go out, then you are in trouble. Other than that its heaven. First few days you will get overwhelmed with the crowd, traffic, smoke, dust and dirt. When you start riding Micro after you ran out of money and cant afford Taxi then you get used to everything from armpit smells to safa tempo's aunty's big ass on your face, You will enjoy Mandir visits, the sounds of bells and smells of agarbati. Try to spend more time outside the valley like Chitwan, Pokhara (esp Lakeside area), Nagarkot, etc.
I guess I wrote too long. Let me wrap it up. Just have fun, Just be yourself. Don't be too American. Enjoy more time with your family. Dont expect too much and dont let others expect too much from you as well. This is where you belong.
 
Posted on 10-07-14 6:21 PM     [Snapshot: 636]     Reply [Subscribe]
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Few things to keep in mind:
1) Get vaccination before you leave
2) Take peptobismol prophylactic dose for traveller's diarrhea
3) Don't eat street food and be careful specially of drinking water

You don't want to be out sick 20 days out of you 40 days vacation.

 
Posted on 10-07-14 7:13 PM     [Snapshot: 720]     Reply [Subscribe]
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carry at least Rs 10,000 a day. you will need it.:) try everything local. raksi jad. Don't go to those hi fi restaurants. You can go to those restaurants in america too. go rafting, hiking trekking. True.Once you visit Nepal you feel like visiting every year. No matter how many countries you have visited, you won't find the beautiful place like your motherland. 

Last edited: 07-Oct-14 07:20 PM

 
Posted on 10-07-14 9:06 PM     [Snapshot: 915]     Reply [Subscribe]
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ओहो कति रमाइलो हुने होला ....मलाई नि जम जम लाग्छ के गर्ने उपाए छैन . यता न उता के न के भयो जिन्दगि पनि ...:(

 
Posted on 10-08-14 12:10 AM     [Snapshot: 1047]     Reply [Subscribe]
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Keta haru ko kuro sunera aaile sab chodera nepal jana man lagyo, k garnu aafno ni dasak yetai bitla jasto cha. As I live in NY which is like biratnagar over all , I dont think I will even hesitate to eat outside or street foods. Water may be the problem . And biggest problem is toilet paper. I think my house still got water in toilet not paper .
 
Posted on 10-08-14 6:48 AM     [Snapshot: 1162]     Reply [Subscribe]
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FYI
carry toilet paper wherever you go. You may find a toilet but without water. :)

Don't forget to get MRP passport if you still carry nepali passport.

Last edited: 08-Oct-14 06:51 AM

 
Posted on 10-08-14 9:37 AM     [Snapshot: 1313]     Reply [Subscribe]
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You can expedite it in Nepal with extra money for your passport.
We ( Nepalese) like to give free advise and take is easy ( do not get offended by it ) .
 
Posted on 10-08-14 10:11 AM     [Snapshot: 1349]     Reply [Subscribe]
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you will feel everything has shrunk even the people, roads, cars. rest assured you will get used to it within few days. my first thought getting out of the airport was wtf? why are all these taxi drivers screaming at me? and wtf is up with these congested place.. and as we left the airport into ring road i was like wtf happened to ring road, it looks like nobody fed it.

This was few years ago.. i heard that roads were redone so yeah please share your thoughts whenever you get a chance... and don't forget to enjoy yourself. bon voyage~!
 
Posted on 10-08-14 2:21 PM     [Snapshot: 1519]     Reply [Subscribe]
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I am in Nepal after a decade. Things has changed. Roads are narrow and dusty, price of food is similar as in USA, we get tired with couple of visits in city and a crore (100K) is not enough to own a property in major cities.

Everybody will ask "How many years you stayed in State and why it took so long to come back Nepal ?" . "Can you sponsor to bring your relatives to US ? " Some people ask how much money we have and how much we make a month.

Kids we saw before became parents. All farming land in Pokhara and Kathmandu are covered with new houses. We don't have enough courage to ride/drive vehicles on roads. Hunking is normal.

The only thing I am enjoying is moments with my parents. I have hiked few places.

Overall I feel like "Am I missing any opportunity in Nepal or am I not doing better enough in USA ?"




 
Posted on 10-08-14 2:46 PM     [Snapshot: 1543]     Reply [Subscribe]
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yo kathmandu sahara
herda lagchha rahara
giddai gidda ko sahara....yo kathmandu sahara

Haku from loot
 
Posted on 10-08-14 3:21 PM     [Snapshot: 1598]     Reply [Subscribe]
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For a week, you'll be in shock, you might have mixed feeling of depression and hopelessness. After a while, you'll like it. By the time, you start to like it there, you'll be preparing to head back, and once in US, you'll have another mixed feeling of depression and hopelessness which eventually goes away.

If you ever go to Kathmandu now, they've this Thali restaurants everywhere. I still miss it, when you are there, don't miss it, Enjoy their food. Feels like homemade :)
 
Posted on 10-08-14 3:21 PM     [Snapshot: 1594]     Reply [Subscribe]
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Oho kati dherai sujhaav haru!!! Dhanyabaad sabai sathi haru lai.. way excited ... ;D
 



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