Wonderful Beautiful Nepal | Nepal Travel, Culture & Food

  I’ve known I needed to find another place to live since last winter set in. The Nepali family that also lives in the building kept a draft going all day long. It’s culture and I’ve learned that’s one thing you just can’t argue. Then a couple of other ‘cultural’ issues arose and right on time, another perfect place to live came my way. I say another because no matter the cultural issue, I just couldn’t find another apartment that I like as well as this one.  I decided I needed to rent an entire building so I could make sure it’s warm enough for me. Imagine it being a nice, winter’s day, but the apartment is colder than outside. That’s been the issue here since I moved in.  Then one day my dear friend and Nepali son, Kamal, called to tell me he found an entire building for me. One problem with it is that it’s in Changunarayan, a village I knew had water issues. I was pleasantly surprised to learn the community has installed a reserve tank, so the water issue is as resolve...

There are many beautiful and quite unique items to purchase in Nepal. Musical instruments, pasmina scarves, thangkas, pottery, etc., and so many people who are in your face with them, it is difficult to know what to buy or who to buy from. After two years I still can’t get a good deal on a pashmina scarf and had to just shake my head in amazement yesterday when my British guest showed me a beautiful scarf she got for only 1,000 NRs.    One of my favorite places in the area is the ancient Changu Narayan Temple site. It makes a nice side trip when you come to Bhaktapur, a must see in Nepal. The bus isn't much slower than a taxi would be so I recommend catching a local bus from Bhaktapur for 25 NRs. When a bus stops and is obviously too full just wait for another one. I've seen people hanging out the sides so often and it really makes me nervous. My eBook, Nepal: On a Budget, or whatever I begin calling it, gives more detail to safely riding buses in Nepal. Often, if you let th...