Country Overview: Nepal

After my last (admittedly, sassy) post about my experience in Nepal, you may have the impression that my time there was frustrating. Well, let me correct that right away because my time in Nepal, barring anything to do with air transportation, was anything but frustrating! This country is fascinating to me, and my love for India quickly transferred to a love for Nepal. The two countries are very similar in many ways, but Nepal has the charm of a smaller, less densely populated, cleaner environment compared to its "big brother" India. So I fell in love.

You can't beat the views to be found on any rooftop in Kathmandu, either.

Though the country is full of charm and fascinating culture, it also has a dark side. Thousands of women and children are trafficking from Nepal into India every year. Kathmandu itself also has a growing demand for prostitution, which does not bode well for those already vulnerable.

"It's a funny little place, this place where we live."

A couple that I met in Delhi liked to say that phrase about the country of India whenever things were happening around them that would simply be baffling to any westerner. Get it? It's ironic because India is not little... and it's more infuriating than funny. But if you don't laugh you will cry some days.

I loved the phrase so much, I have started saying it anywhere I am. Most of them are not little or even all that funny. Kathmandu, however, turned out to be both. This story should explain why I've been silent lately - right after promising to write more frequently... oops!