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"We advise against all but essential travel to Nepal during the current period of enhanced tension, as there is a risk of being caught up in the violence on the streets. Those British Nationals already in Nepal should decide whether their presence is essential." [Foreign Commonwealth Office]. Well that's just typical isn't it. Just as I fly in. Welcome, as they say, to the magical country of Nepal. Is my presence essential? Depends on my current ego, but I think not. Nevertheless, I have been looking forward to visiting this country more than any other on my trip, and a little bit of violence adds to the pub stories.

Nepal - a fascinating culture in a troubled country

Simon Wadsworth
2006-09-04 14:38:31

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"We advise against all but essential travel to Nepal during the current period of enhanced tension, as there is a risk of being caught up in the violence on the streets. Those British Nationals already in Nepal should decide whether their presence is essential." [Foreign Commonwealth Office]. Well that's just typical isn't it. Just as I fly in. Welcome, as they say, to the magical country of Nepal. Is my presence essential? Depends on my current ego, but I think not. Nevertheless, I have been looking forward to visiting this country more than any other on my trip, and a little bit of violence adds to the pub stories.

Ok, bad joke. Let me tell you how it's been for me so far. Generally, the situation in Nepal has reached the international community's attention for a couple of weeks now, as the clashes between the civilians and the King come to head. In a tiny nutshell, with my somewhat limited political vocabulary, 14 months ago, the King decided to abolish the Democratically elected government and govern with absolute power. Many people wen're too happy about this. 14 months later, they're still not happy, and I don't think I'd be too far off the mark in saying they may be a little angry - if the mass riots, arrests of journalists, and consequent injuries and deaths in Kathmandu and other towns and cities are anything to go by. I'm in Kathmandu too. Yey! All the fun at the fair.

I arrived here on Tuesday, after an intensive 3-way trip via Kuala Lumpar airport (for the 3rd time), and New Delhi, where I stayed for a night in a cheap airport dormitory. Going to Nepal, I thought I was getting away from mosquitos for a few weeks, but typically the last bout of these buzzy bitey things was also the most fierce I've come across. Thus, I became a minger for a night and slept in my clothes to minimise the inevitable attack, which seemed to work except for my now badly bitten hands.

Kathmandu is described ...