Let me set the expectations first .I visited kathmandu only once and that too not as a tourist. So from a tourist point of view I don’t have much to say about the place , but while visiting kathmandu I came across a lots of facts which I would like to share.
Here is how it started
Year 2002 , I was planning to give My GRE exam and couldn’t get any date in India.I wanted to give the test in september’02 only and the idea struck my mind ‘why don’t I get a date in kathmandu’. So I scheduled my exam for 30th sep in kathmandu.
At the last moment I came to know that I have to cancel my air ticket and travel by road as I am supposed to accompany a female friend of mine whose air ticket couldn’t be confirmed.
journey begins…
We took a train from hardwar( my native place) to delhi, from there we took another train to Gorakhpur .From Gorakhpur we took a taxi till Nepal border and after crossing the border we took a bus for Kathmandu Phew…. it seemed like I was doing some research work on trains and buses.
On entering Nepal
Well my experience starts from the moment I crossed the border. Here are a few things worth mentioning.
1. Adjust your watches as there is 15 min difference in Indian and Nepalesetime zone.
2. Caution for Indians, don’t carry any 500 rs. Note .They don’t allow it Nepal. Apart from this you can easily trade with Indian currency.
While returning I have to face a big time problem with UP Police due to the same fact
3. If you are carrying any electronic instruments(camera, discman etc) or new shoes , it is highly advisable that you make an entry before crossing Indian border and keep a written statement approved by police with you.
This was another problem I faced while returning , they suspected each and everything in my luggage was smuggled .The fact was all the things were pretty old and they really looked old too.
Some facts about nepal
1. If you are a vegetarian you are in deep shit.(mutton an chicken are far
cheaper then vegetables). At one of the halt on my way to kathmandu I ordered a meal .I recognized one of the dishes as chicken so I explained I am a vegetarian and the answer was “thik hai shaab fir mutton le ata hun( ok sir , I will bring mutton then)”
2. Most of the population speak hindi and Nepalese, a few of them speak
English.
3. It is easier to find a wine shop as compared to a tea shop( based on mi sister’s experience)
Nepal then and …now
Despite of giving facts I would like to cite a few examples which will give you an insight into the changes nepal has gone through recently.
Incident 1. When I went to visit Pashupatinath Temple I couldn’t help noticing a young lady (around 22-23 years old) crying hysterically . Reason
being her husband , an army officer was killed by maoist and the
burial of the young officer was performed with the salute of 21 gun shots.
I was told that it has become an everyday affair here
Incident 2. I have heard a lot about casinos in kathmandu so me and my friend decided to visit one .But I was disappointed to see that it was nearly
deserted. I talked to the manager who was kind of amazed as well as
delighted to see us. I asked when was it last that this casino was its
usual lively self and the answer was “I haven’t seen it in last two
years”
Can’t forget the sadness in that person’s eyes
Incident 3. On my way to kathmandu ( by road) , traveling among the heavy army deployment all along the way every once in a while you have
to get down and carry your luggage to the check post and get it checked.
P.S. This review is solely based on my personal experience and comments are very well welcome guys