Wonderful Beautiful Nepal

I recently finished listening to the audio book of Milton Friedman's Capitalism and Freedom.Friedman was indeed a great economist whose articulation skills and influence indeed provided a major contribution in reviving classical liberalism in the Western world and introducing it to the Eastern world. Although, I have found many libertarians quite critical of Friedman's for his support for government actions in some context such as education and monetary policies, I think, had it not been for him, free market economics would not have received as much recognition as it did since 1980s. In this book also he has made compelling arguments in favor of liberty and free markets. He has with enough arguments and reason (for the logical minds that is) made a very compelling case for free markets, limited government and capitalism. In my view, the most appreciable aspect of the book is the way he has simplified economic arguments and made them understandable and interesting for a layman. ...

This may be one of the most powerful beings walking among us. I love how the Hindu religion is full of oxymoron. This is one of the most beautiful examples of how this is what is impossible to be.  You may be wondering what this 'little girl' did to make me so much of a fan. Keep reading because she actually showed me her power on a couple of occasions.  Kumari Cho Anyone who has read my book, or even the first chapter, will notice my fascination with the Royal Kumari, the only living goddess on the planet. How I came to the conclusion that this young child is in fact a living, breathing goddess was strange, even for me. I was riding along on my assistant's motorcycle through Darbur Square in Kathmandu. I noticed a figure in the window of the Kumari Cho and just asked myself, 'What is the Kumari? An abused child kept captive?' Just then, like a cosmic download, I understood. I became so fascinated by her that I clapped my hands like a child when I first saw her come...

It was chore time for me and I really didn’t know where to get business cards, one of the items on my list. Getting things done in Nepal can be a real adventure. So my assistant and I were pointed down the street to a place called The Peacock Shop. This factory is located in Datteraya Square, the largest of the centers in Bhaktapur. Look for the Peacock Window and the Peacock Shop is on the opposite side. There were pottery makers working outside in the back. This area is considered to be the mini pottery square. If you have only a short stay in Bhaktapur this area will serve you well.  One of the reasons I hadn’t had cards made yet was because I wanted to get cards made on a natural fiber. Plastic coating is not attractive to me and this paper factory held the answer. After sitting down with the owner and his daughter who served as a translator, he invited me to have a tour of his paper making factory. This family owned factory also specializes in wood carvings, pottery and handcr...

When I walked down the street and saw pig heads and blood sitting on tables open to flies and dirt, I decided to eat vegetarian. I just didn't think too much of the way I saw food cared for here in Nepal. I just ignore meat. Do I miss it? Sometimes. Especially since apartments don't come equipped with ovens, cooking can become a bit dull. Eating in Nepal is just different. For example, this picture of me below is one of the best places to find a samosa in Kathmandu. Never mind that you have to stand up to eat it; it's worth it. There is a sink for washing hands and some cocktail type tables attached to a couple of the walls inside, but it's just plain rough. This is the same favorite place I talk about in my book, Nepal On A Budget. There isn't even a sign outside. Just look for Tip Top Tailors while you are in the New Road area (very close to the Peanuts building) and go into the alley behind it. It's amazing! You can also get a great selection of Nepali sweets...

I stated in my book, Nepal On a Budget, that the Thamel district in Kathmandu can be very ruthless to unsuspecting tourists. The merchants seem to be waiting for you to walk by with too much money and not enough brain cells. I have to admit that I wasn't prepared to purchase my first pashmina scarf and that scarf's price seemed to be determined by the country I came from.  I learned a lot about pashmina since that day and I've found a few places to buy silk and wool scarves/shawls at excellent prices. One of those places is just outside of Thamel in the Arson Chowk area and one is in Bhaktapur. However, there are some bargains to be found in Thamel and if you have the energy for it, it can be a lot of fun to shop and haggle with the merchants.  The best way I've found to shop in Kathmandu is to just walk down the street and see what you pass along the way. Have a mental list and see what you can check off. I have a habit to peak into any box or sales rack I see along th...

Me and five friends of mine trekked to Panch Pokhari (4100 m), the five sacred lakes situated within the laps of Jugal Himal from 12th to 17th October of 2010. I had thought of writing a travelogue at that time but was unable to. However, as I found some readers really liked the two travelogues I have written in this blog so far and was asked to write about other treks as well, here is my travelogue of my Trek to Panch Pokhari with all the details as far as my memory serves me. Before we begin: Trek to Gosainkunda previous year had been one of the most amazing moments in my life. It was my first long trek and the experiences I had in the trek were instrumental in making an ardent trekker out of me. I had shared about the trek during much more conversations than I care to remember. So, I was excited about this upcoming Dashain for another trekking opportunity. The only question was: what shall be the next destination? Click! Panch Pokhari. That's the place I was going to this year I...