I am detailing the experiences I had over my 16 month stay in Nepal for a work in power plant. I give below the events which built up the opinion.
1. Poor
That is the first thing to strike you upon landing. Guys here are poor. Their mentality is like a Child. Officials are severely underpaid. That made my thoughts of my bosses in india, stinking rich. You will however see a lot of Toyotas and Mitsubishis around, but they are very few when compared to population. The divide between Rich and Poor is far more greater than India.
Empathise with local population. That will make you understand many of their reactions to you.
2. Nature
Though this should be the first point, I believe people can influence an opinion on the place much more than nature. Even if the sceneries are fantastic and pristine waters tingling your feet in a fresh rejuvenating atmosphere (a rarity in cities now a days?).
Every place, Every rastha, Every Nal, Every Kund will have something to offer you. The mountainous streches will not allow enough flat terrain for rail. So, most of the roads will be like Ghat roads. Exhilarating the first week - May become a nuisance if you stay for more than a month. Well, if you like the same, nothing to beat.
Gosaikund, Parvathikund, and Peaks in Saligram and trek route from Dunche, Silguri lots of places to trek. I trek. That is it. I am not a mountaineer. So, I love places where altitude is ~3500m to ~4500 m. I can trek and come back within a week and I also see clouds below me and fantastic rendezvous with Mother earth.
I was in a hydro electric project. Need I say more about the strategic location. Absolutely terrifying. More terrifying is Nature’s fury witnessed during the floods. Once we had our coffer dam breach and the TATA 3210 crane (around 15T) was thrown of by the river and the remains of which are found some 500 Km downstream in India. When she is at full flow, The resounding sound will echo ’’Dont Mess with me’’ You would be considered prudent for paying heed to it. River Rafting is popular - but hell, I am scared. I am used to swimming in pools and rivers back home in our village.
3. Corruption
Nepalis being very poor and for whom basic amenities are a luxury are more prone to be corrupt. Almost 70% of the people I met are corrupt.
Wait, before putting such a controversial statement, I have to admit, the corruption in my country is widely prevalent. I was just shocked by the meer scale of corruption.
People at all levels, the ministers, public servants, customs guy (hell imagine them being worser than indians - I was thinking Is this possible? But yes) Even general school going kids will steal. This is not a one off case as I believed in the first couple of months, but a phenomenon that persisted in my 16 month stay.
I feel extremely sorry for the people of Nepal and World bank when I was the silent spectator to many irregularities done to people’s money and World bank. You may say, this is not new for people from India. But the sheer scale and blatant violation took me by surprise.
I have to mention the D.A (Similar to collector here) was a man of principles and he did a lot of good things to the society. We used to meet and discuss over a beer, the ills of the society and how with the powers vested on him, he could do something for the society. He is one hell of a guy. Hope Nepal gets more and more people like him.
4. Spirits
Ah! You find some wonderful spirits here. ’’Raksi’’ is made at home and brewed from Rice. You need to have Raksi soon after it is made for freshness. You also get Raksi in Temples (Shocking) Well, it was a revelation when one told me it is as per vedic culture. Hmmmm....
You get Kukhri Rum in the market and decent Beers (San Miguel/Tuborg/Carlsberg...)
5. Gambling
This is one deep rooted nepali custom. You will find that on all Beer caps (on the inside) you will see what you will win. It may be Rs 2, Rs 5, Rs 50, Camera, Bike, T-shirts. This phenomenon is perennial.
Once I went by air from Kathmandu to Pokhran, inside the flight, there a lottery of all boarding passes. My friend, who sat next to me won the lottery and he was given a free ticket by R.N.A.C (Royal Nepal Airlines) on any sector withing nepal. Almost everything have contests.
I tried to convinced myself that these things happen in India also, But the sheer persistence on all brands and throughout the year was surprising.
6. Tribals
These guys are gems. You will have a lot to learn from them in leading a simple life and sharing your resources with others. They are the best people I have seen.
These guys will walk from say Mahendranagar to Kathmandu and then walk to Janakpur. They just Walk. I once walked with them from Kathmandu to our place of work (near a place called Dunche in river trishuli) The distance of around 100 Km was covered in 2 days. The terrain is not like a footpath in our cities rather will be made of bushes and steep slopes to contend with.
These guys share whatever they have with them to others without expecting anything in return. This quality is one we have to learn from them. Other nepalis say this is the reason why they are still a tribal. But their qualities are ones which we civilised people should emulate.
7. Transportation
This is one hell of a job for us. Travelling in mini-bus will give you more thrills than the roller-coaster. The fact that the ravines are real. The turn taken in 40 Kmph will ensure you are given your quota of excitement. Ofcourse many a times the thrills can also kill. That may explain the reasons of unusually high accident rates in Nepal.
The qualities like
Its mine
What can you do for me
I am the best driver in world
What can I steal from you
etc
They are there for people who have been exposed to wealth, power and greed. These are the basic instincts on any human being which will surface at right circumstances. Resources available at your disposal and security in your future manifests as those above. Poverty, Lack of basic amenities, Divide between Rich and Poor, Lack of infrastructure all combine to bring out these elements. If you understand that you will understand them and have a fruitful stay in Nepal.
The above is not necessarily a tourist guide rather my experiences.
Enjoy.