Our first impressions

It’s way too early in our trip to give a definition of Nepalese culture, but here’s what I’ve found out so far. Nepal is unique, honest, spiritual and full of potential. The feel it gives is strangely familiar, as if I’ve been here before. I notice the organised chaos on the roads, where cars and motorbikes seem to have a force field around them with which they push other untouchable vehicles away while honking loudly. Still it seems to work. I haven’t seen any accidents yet, and the collective assertiveness of the brave people in Kathmandu traffic seems quite effective, in a way. I’ve seen this driving style before, elsewhere in Asia. Same goes for the contrast between immaculately clean houses with dirty, unkept streets. This gives the impression that the Nepalese households got it together better than the government. This also shows by the (old) state of the machinery that’s being used for roadworks, and the many unfinished, or very slow paced, construction projects. The country is in need of investment. But in order for companies to settle down in a region like Kathmandu, the infrastructure needs improvement and the city needs to be cleaned up a bit. Some think that a flow of water through the river of the city will help with the clean up. To me, it sounds like treating a symptom and not a problem. However, my limited experience with Kathmandu has been a great one. I’ve felt safe everywhere we went, no matter the time or place. The food is amazing. People would help us with everything, and some even gave us their number in case anything would happen when in Nepal – they would be there to help us. My first impression is that this is a very versatile country that can make it far. Nepali people seem in touch with “their being”, and live their lives without too much unnecessary frustration. Whatever happens, happens. Everything else is not worth worrying about. It’s karma. I also found that young people are smart, modern minded and curious. Nepali youths travel, and brings back knowledge and trends. From the looks of it many of the Nepalese we’ve met seem more intelligent and empathic than many of the ‘westerners’ we have crossed paths with. Slightly embarrassed I have to admit, I expected to find a shy and isolated people in Nepal, maybe a bit behind “us”, due to the fact the country has been inaccessible for a very long time. I was wrong.