Observations in South Asia

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I wanted to list a lot of bits I picked up on, this being my second visit back to India, and first time to Nepal. Hopefully they will make you smile as much as they did for me.

Indian Top Tips

• Don’t deny an Indian person doing their job, security and ticketing staff
• They are all there to provide a service, so make it a pleasure for them and yourself. Smile!
• Most taxi drivers will say that they know somewhere even if they don’t

Jai Indra Festival, Bhaktapur, Nepal

Observations at Delhi Airport, India

• Dogs on the runways
• People living in plastic shelters on the verges of the runway
• Staff ride the baggage conveyor belt at check-in
• 35 men on 4 security desks
• Air India branded tractors
• On plane – Announcement ‘Please keep your mobile phone in switched off mode’ ie. turned off?

Observations at Pokhara Airport, Nepal

• Planes always delayed by local weather
• Powercut at airport means more delays, but all paper based booking system
• Men show their macho side by playing with the propellers
• You can barter for beer prices at the airport lounge shop
• Security guard compared my Nokia phone to his, the perfect job for nost people!
• Man watering the plants whilst getting drenched by the monsoon rains
• Get invited into shop owners back room for cigarette, politely decline

Indian Van Signs:

Don’t kiss me
Slow drive, beautiful life
Om Express
Love is sweet poison

Observations in Rampur, a Nepali Village:

• All the volunteers are given a ‘local’ name by their host family, mine was ‘raju’. And affectionately referred to as ‘brother’ or sister’.
• All volunteers, especially the taller ones bumper their head in the toilet block. Once on the way in, and once on the way out. Nepali people are not tall!
• At meal times you are asked if you want more food, if you don’t the word for ‘enough’ is ‘pok-’iyo’.
• Even the locals sweat in the humidity and heat.

Jai Indra Festival, Bhaktapur, Nepal

We will not say ‘goodbye’, only see you soon, or ‘have a good holiday’ as we will see each other again.

Tag cloud for Nepal and the experiences encountered:

dal bat, buffalo, temple, hindu, buddhist, rice, national parks, himalya, lakes, valleys, rivers, rafting, paraglide, rhino, crocodile, dancing, festivals, culture, power cuts, chillies, rickshaw, tea, masala, momo, tibet, trekking, pokhara, chitwan, kathmandu, more festivals, more temples, pickle, guesthouses, safari, rice, jungle, religion, stupa, sweat, pakora, prayer flags, candles, bandhs, ghee, gompa, landlsides, everest, annapurna, beer, omlette, boots, yak