The People, Nepal

4 more images

Favorite thing: Out of the numerous ethnic groups in Nepal (Pahari, Sherpa, Tamang, Kiranti, Limbu, Gurung, etc), the Newari represent less than 5 %.
The term Newar applies roughly to the people who inhabited Kathmandu valley and its peripheries before the unification of Nepal and speaking Nepal Bhasa ("Newari" according to Statistics Nepal) or the languages progenitor of Nepal Bhasa.

The Newars form an urban society with highly developed craftsmanship and social structures, which reflected in the complexes around the Kathmandu valley and in other cities around Nepal (Tansen, Bandipur). It is the Newari temples and architecture which are the most impressive throughout all Nepal.
Newar practice both Buddhism (85%) and Hinduism.(15%) It is believed that the Newar were originally Buddhists but the long historical process of Sanskritization (adoption of Hindu rituals), led to the development of the Newar’s unique syncretic tradition.

For more info, go to:

http://www.newars.org/

http://www.jwajalapa.com/

Favorite thing: Sit in some cafe and swap travel stories with other backpackers,travellers,hippies, freaks & wierdos you will find in Katmandu!

Fondest memory: Just cycling through the market places and temples and seeing life just as it was maybe thousands of years ago....

Fondest memory: The people. I experienced a bad case of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) & had to be taken care of by the guides & porters for a major part of the trek. Yes, one can say that they are paid to take care of their clients. But they did so without a tinge of complaint & instead were always so patient & wearing a smile on their faces.

Coming from a city, i dare say that was the best customer service i have ever experienced.

It's a custom to tip your porter/guide after each trek. Irregardless of the amount, they appreciate it.

Fondest memory: Thoughtfulness and genuineness were traits common to most Nepalis I met. I am wary of attributing characteristics to a people as a whole because it has never made much sense to me to say, for example, that Germans are orderly, the French are romantic, or the Spanish hot-tempered. And yet I couldn't help but be struck by the frequency with which the Nepalis I met, whether in the city or in the country, were friendly and considerate. Without saying or doing any one thing in particular, they all had a dignity that made an impression. Certainly there were exceptions, particularly in Kathmandu. But even there, so many fit the pattern, from hotel clerks to waiters to shopkeepers, that I am inclined to break my rule for once.

4 more images

Favorite thing: Life is Nepal is slow and simple, although the cities can get very crowded. When you leave the cities and head to the towns and villages, the pace of life slows down even further. Therefore, Nepal is a good get-away from the modern world because it is so much different from the modern world which we live in.

Favorite thing: Live in Nepal is rich of colours: the dresses of people, the temples, the streets...

Fondest memory: This woman is selling mineral-colours, which are used for putting the red dot on the forehead or to bring it as an offering to the temple. The big Shiva-Temple of Pashupatinath is right behind this woman. Foreigners are not allowed to enter the temple.

Favorite thing: Nepal is a beautiful country embellished with snow capped peaks and gorges. What's more, the beauty of this mountain kingdom is witnessed in her people as well. Often shy, Nepali people never forget to smile. In their homes, guests are treated as god, and it's no exaggeration

Fondest memory: Nepal is my favourite country to go to. I've been there three times and everytime I'm over there, I'm overwhelmed by the kindness and hospitality of the people. The thing I always do in Nepal is trekking.