Nepal is a troubled country right now. The United Nations is everywhere as the political parties try to agree on some basic principles before holding a democratic election asap.
When we arrived in Nepal things were looking good. The temporary, coalition government made up of eight political parties were very close to getting things sorted for their elections in mid November before the Maoists (one of the eight parties and communist wannabies, denounced by China and the rest of the world) decided to have a little childish walkout on the terms of the election and constitution. They made about 24 demands on the coalition, one of which was to insist that Nepal become a republic before the election took place. No one agrees with them, in particular the Nepalese people so sadly talks have broken down and the election has now been delayed until early next year.
The people of Nepal do not deserve this pathetic behavior by these fools who are clearly unpopular, wreak havoc and murder innocent people all around the country. They know full well they will lose the election. Our trekking guide, Giri exasperated at the situation; a sentiment felt by other Nepalese we have met. Until the election happens the country will get nothing sorted out. No new roads, no boast for tourism and other business, no power shortage issues resolved, nothing.
It’s sad to see how a bunch of grown-ups can act so childishly when it comes to the lives and futures of 25 million people. It’s sadder still of course that similar situations are happening all over the world.
I love the way different cultures around the world choose to change the spelling of the English language and then it becomes the norm and accepted. Wel Come is just one little example, it’s lovely.
Our farewell from Varanasi was long overdue and we were both very happy to be heading for the train station that evening. It’s funny how the intensity of one place can get you felling so deflated. After a long wait at the train station, a long distance argument with a disgruntled local for lying on the ground (which about 300 other people were doing) and barging in line to confirm we were at the right station we got on board 2.5 hours late (2:30 am) and fell very quickly asleep.
We were heading for Nepal and could not wait. Rory, a friend of ours had just come back and raved about it. We’d arrange a trip to head for the Royal Chitwan National Park in the south of the country, just over the boarder and then afterwards off to trek up to the Annapurna Base Camp in the heart of the Himalayas. Things were looking up!
The train crawled along all night long and eventually we arrived at Gorakpur about 50km south of the boarder between Nepal and India. It was 8am and the last thing we felt like dealing with was the pain of a local bus so we took the easy option of a car and paid an extortionate price for it. The tout even tried to charge an extra fee for the police; I said I’d give it to them myself and motioned to follow him before he backed down – these people are relentless!
It was just a short drive to the boarder where there was a lively, hustle and bustle of people on rickshaws zipping back and forth, in and out of Nepal. Nepalese and Indians can freely travel across their boarders with no ID or check whatsoever. If you looked like you were from either Indian or China and just kept quiet no one would know any better! We got our passports stamped to leave and took a short walk to the other side.
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