I'd heard Kathmandu was a dirty place but I had no idea how bad. My first impressions were not great as I've wandered around the city I feel like living conditions here are worse than in India.
Nepal has the 2nd biggest Hydro Power scheme in the world and yet its capital city Kathmandu goes without electricity for 12 hours a day. There is smog everywhere which gets trapped in the valley, there's more beeping than in a censored Eminem song, there is no system of rubbish collection, the rivers are a dirty shade of black, the taxi drivers rip you off, and, I had some drunk guy feeling my chest when riding one of the local minis...
But...
For some reason I am drawn to go back!
I planned to spend only a few days in Kathmandu and ended up there for a week. I was hosted by a beautiful family and got shown around the HOPE school.
Far better than describing what I saw I have taken some pictures and videos that capture, far better, the impact this place has had on me. Plus it will take less time AND be far more interesting than my writing. There is a small section of news below for your aNEWSment.
The photos are at
http://www.facebook.com/editphoto.php?aid=2018767
The video on Kathmandu is
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fb_4-8KvsJs
The video for the school is
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ChRhnLdQ-M
Short News Brief (as opposed to a long brief which wouldn't really be a brief at all would it? I've always wondered about that and long shorts, I mean how long to they have to become before you can't call them "shorts" anymore. A hybrid word like "Shlongs" wouldn't work either for obvious reasons...someone help me out here!!!)
Guiness record attempt
Andrew was recently involved in a Guiness Record attempt to see how many people could be crammed into a minibus. In Australia, these vehichles are commonly called 12 seaters, but not in Nepal.
The bus was already choc full with 23 other people but with the encouragement of the spruiker hanging out the side of the bus and the flexibility gained from sitting cross legged and using the squat toilets, Lorimer ceased the opportunity and became the record breaking 24th passenger. Not satisfied, the spruiker continued to shout for more passengers but none were game to try for the magical QC (quarter century), the Holy Grail for mini drivers all over the country.
Bargaining news
Today at Bartering Central we had the long awaited match up between "His Tightness", Sir Andrew Lorimer and "Jack the RipOff"
The battle began in front of a small crowd of two would-be tour guides, but soon multiplied as interest grew. Jack enthusiastically displayed the product at which Lorimer was visibly impressed. An early mistake.
Jack gained the upper hand and offered him the individual price of 500rupees or the 'special price' of 2 for 800. The crowd, having heard the sales pitch watched intently. His tightness politely declined but Jack persisted, following closely behind.
The battle raged on with Lorimer decreasing the price but Jack was not to be outdone, increasing the quantity to compensate for the reduction in price. Lorimer wasn't buying it...literally...reasoning that if he could sell 5 for 1000 then surely he could sell 2 for 400.
Apparently not.
The atmosphere was electric. Jack was desperate and made his trademark moving, handing Lorimer the merchandise to 'hold', not buy. Lorimer naively walked into the trap and now every attempt he made to return the product was declined. Instead more were added and a new price quoted. 4 for 800, 10 for 200, 6 for 1000.
Lorimer had run out of options and could only think to place the products on the ground and depart. Finally he succumb to the pressure and settled on the price of 3 for 500. Money was exchanged and the TIGHT contest was over. The jury is out on the victor as both parties were happy with the result. The majority of the crowd disappeared after the match indicating Lorimer had put in a solid performance.
In other bargaining related news Lorimer has found an inconsistency in prices even among staff at the same shop. There is the 'real' price and then the 'tourist' price. Lorimer has caught shopkeepers simultaneously quoting different prices. The only consistent thing is that the lower of the two admits their mistake and quickly agrees with the higher price.
One opportunistic man quoted the price of 30 rupees for some batteries then quickly realised he had quoted the wrong price and suddenly they were at 60. Then 50. Upon refusal they went down further to 45, all Lorimer could do was laugh and walk away...
Nepal has the 2nd biggest Hydro Power scheme in the world and yet its capital city Kathmandu goes without electricity for 12 hours a day. There is smog everywhere which gets trapped in the valley, there's more beeping than in a censored Eminem song, there is no system of rubbish collection, the rivers are a dirty shade of black, the taxi drivers rip you off, and, I had some drunk guy feeling my chest when riding one of the local minis...
But...
For some reason I am drawn to go back!
I planned to spend only a few days in Kathmandu and ended up there for a week. I was hosted by a beautiful family and got shown around the HOPE school.
Far better than describing what I saw I have taken some pictures and videos that capture, far better, the impact this place has had on me. Plus it will take less time AND be far more interesting than my writing. There is a small section of news below for your aNEWSment.
The photos are at
http://www.facebook.com/editphoto.php?aid=2018767
The video on Kathmandu is
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fb_4-8KvsJs
The video for the school is
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ChRhnLdQ-M
Short News Brief (as opposed to a long brief which wouldn't really be a brief at all would it? I've always wondered about that and long shorts, I mean how long to they have to become before you can't call them "shorts" anymore. A hybrid word like "Shlongs" wouldn't work either for obvious reasons...someone help me out here!!!)
Guiness record attempt
Andrew was recently involved in a Guiness Record attempt to see how many people could be crammed into a minibus. In Australia, these vehichles are commonly called 12 seaters, but not in Nepal.
The bus was already choc full with 23 other people but with the encouragement of the spruiker hanging out the side of the bus and the flexibility gained from sitting cross legged and using the squat toilets, Lorimer ceased the opportunity and became the record breaking 24th passenger. Not satisfied, the spruiker continued to shout for more passengers but none were game to try for the magical QC (quarter century), the Holy Grail for mini drivers all over the country.
Bargaining news
Today at Bartering Central we had the long awaited match up between "His Tightness", Sir Andrew Lorimer and "Jack the RipOff"
The battle began in front of a small crowd of two would-be tour guides, but soon multiplied as interest grew. Jack enthusiastically displayed the product at which Lorimer was visibly impressed. An early mistake.
Jack gained the upper hand and offered him the individual price of 500rupees or the 'special price' of 2 for 800. The crowd, having heard the sales pitch watched intently. His tightness politely declined but Jack persisted, following closely behind.
The battle raged on with Lorimer decreasing the price but Jack was not to be outdone, increasing the quantity to compensate for the reduction in price. Lorimer wasn't buying it...literally...reasoning that if he could sell 5 for 1000 then surely he could sell 2 for 400.
Apparently not.
The atmosphere was electric. Jack was desperate and made his trademark moving, handing Lorimer the merchandise to 'hold', not buy. Lorimer naively walked into the trap and now every attempt he made to return the product was declined. Instead more were added and a new price quoted. 4 for 800, 10 for 200, 6 for 1000.
Lorimer had run out of options and could only think to place the products on the ground and depart. Finally he succumb to the pressure and settled on the price of 3 for 500. Money was exchanged and the TIGHT contest was over. The jury is out on the victor as both parties were happy with the result. The majority of the crowd disappeared after the match indicating Lorimer had put in a solid performance.
In other bargaining related news Lorimer has found an inconsistency in prices even among staff at the same shop. There is the 'real' price and then the 'tourist' price. Lorimer has caught shopkeepers simultaneously quoting different prices. The only consistent thing is that the lower of the two admits their mistake and quickly agrees with the higher price.
One opportunistic man quoted the price of 30 rupees for some batteries then quickly realised he had quoted the wrong price and suddenly they were at 60. Then 50. Upon refusal they went down further to 45, all Lorimer could do was laugh and walk away...
The stats (2nd-26th March)
Number of hosts: 6
Money spent on accommodation: $21 AUD
Shower percentage: 35%
Cases of Travel sickness: 2
Cases of Homesickness: 3
Cases of forgotten Toilet Paper: 5
Cases of forgotten Toilet Paper with consequences: 2 (never again!)
Weight gained: 3kg at a guess
Weird stares' received: 1000+
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