 |
 |
 Visit our main website: http://www.volunteer-nepal.org USEFUL INFO
Nepal may be an unpredictable country for organised people. People in Nepal live in a more relaxed and carefree way and don’t follow strict deadlines and will often be late for appointments. Taking a flexible approach will be help you to enjoy yourself whilst integrating into Nepali culture.
Nepal is a safe country for travellers and there are few incidents of racism. Nepali people prefer to live in understanding and co-operation, which is why, although living in conditions of poverty, most Nepalis appear to be happy and carefree. There are, however, isolated incidents of new travellers being duped. Not carrying large amounts of foreign currency is always wise. Please note that only Kathmandu and Pokhara have credit card cash retrieval or currency and traveller’s cheque exchange facilities. Therefore, if you plan a trek or trip lasting several days, please ensure that you take sufficient Nepalese currency.
Although street vendors do not harm travellers, they may pester them to buy cheap souvenirs at inflated prices. If you are particularly keen to speak to them and share experiences, please ensure that you do not have much cash. In fact, they are likely to know a great deal about the locality and may give you useful information. However, street vendors are known for telling stories in an attempt to gain sympathy. A naïve traveller will fall for these stories and buy the street vendor a book or some milk, which he will then sell on for a tidy profit. These incidents happen very frequently in the major tourist areas of Thamel in Kathmandu.
This is a major problem with general Nepali people. You can hope for something to be done in one hour but please allow more time. Nepali people rarely follow strict deadline and to be half an hour late for appointments is considered normal. You will hear this referred to as ‘Nepali time’. If you have official business to conduct such as visa renewal, seeking trekking permits etc, please allow ample time. Be assured that at VSN we are always punctual and prefer to follow deadlines in a more western manner.
Shopkeepers are always able to help you with finding addresses and the right means of transport if you are lost. They know the local area very well and may allow you to use the phone for a small fee e.g. 4-5 rupees for a local call. Remember to keep the telephone numbers of the VSN office and your host family with you at all times.
Generally there is nothing to do after dark in Nepal. Nepali people spend their time at home with their families and rarely go out at night. You may encounter drunken people or street people after dark. Thamel is a small area in Kathmandu where stores, restaurant, pubs, club etc are open for tourists until midnight or later. If you find yourself out late at night it may be advisable to stay at a hotel as late-night travel is unpredictable and you may disturb your host family upon your return. Please remember to let your family know where you are and that you are safe.
Nepali people are generally keen to speak to foreigners but they rarely stop them to chat. Travellers should beware of those who very keen and offer food or drinks, or to take them home to visit their family. This may be a ploy to encourage the traveller to buy things for the family. Female travellers should be especially cautious in such situations.
Email and the Internet is used widely in Kathmandu, Pokhara and all major cities in Nepal. It is the most convenient, fast and secure way to communicate whilst away from home. In Kathmandu, there are many shops offering Internet access at low prices. The postal system in Nepal is unreliable, therefore post boxes or collection agents should not be used unless their reliability is assured. Only send valuables by registered post from the central post office in Kathmandu at Sundhara, below the tallest tower.
Travellers should ensure they do not buy things without knowing the lowest prices. Shopkeepers can usually identify new visitors by their demeanour and will inflate prices accordingly. Always take time to compare prices between the many shops before buying.
Hotel rooms are normally safe, however, passports and other important or valuable items, can be kept in the safe at the VSSN office. Always keep your travelers cheques or cash safely secured in a belt bag or backpack whilst travelling.
It may be useful for you to write down place names for taxi drivers, thereby ensuring they reach their intended destination.
Use of the Nepali language brings you closer to people. It will also reduce the chance of you being bothered by those trying to profit from the inexperience of new tourists.
In the last few years, daily life in Nepal has been interrupted by many strikes or ‘bandas’, where business, transport and other services stop for one or more days. If you are due to catch a flight during a banda, ensure you have organised transport at least three hours before the departure time. VSSN staff will know about forthcoming bandas so please ask before travelling in order to avoid problems.
It is not a customary in Nepal to smile at one another before a conversation takes place. This is especially important for women smiling at men as this can be easily seen as more than friendliness.
People in Nepal always share food with one another. If you are with a Nepali, be it a friend, teacher or family member, it is expected that you share food. Not to share is considered to be bad manners. It is better not to eat in front of someone if you do not wish to share.
Toilets in villages are unlike the western toilets found in hotels in Kathmandu. Toilets are usually a small room with a hole in the ground. Some toilets have taps. For those where there is not tap, you may need to carry water in a bucket and pour it down the hole when you are finished. Toilet paper is not generally used as it causes blockages. Many Nepali families do not have bathrooms. These families bathe outside. You can consult VSSN staff about the use of toilet and bathing facilities at your host village.
You are here in Nepal to experience Nepali culture, customs, beliefs, food and many other aspects of daily life. Please be prepared to put aside some of your western expectations and customs. Different cultural practices will inevitably cause some confusion but your time with your host family will be easier if you try to adopt a Nepali lifestyle. It will also smooth relations with your host family if you follow their family rules, for example: 1. Please avoid going out during the night. If you do, ensure you explain where and with whom you are going. Remember to inform your host family whether or not you are eating dinner with them. 2. Please avoid eating with others on too many occasions. If you are eating elsewhere, please explain clearly that where you are eating and what time you will be back. 3. Please do not bring many friends to your host family home, especially those of the opposite sex. 4. Please only use your host family’s telephone for short periods so that other family members can use it. Please only give their telephone number to important people such as your family. Useful Facts About NepalLocation: Southern Asia, between China and India. Capital: Kathmandu. Population: 26,469,569. Language: Nepali, plus about a dozen other languages and about 30 major dialects. Many of those in government and business also speak English. Currency: Nepalese rupee (NPR). Country Structure: 14 zones (Bagmati, Bheri, Dhawalagiri, Gandaki, Janakpur, Karnali, Kosi, Lumbini, Mahakali, Mechi, Narayani, Rapti, Sagarmatha and Seti). Interesting fact: every country in the world has a rectangular flag except Nepal. Nepal’s flag is based on two separate triangular pennants joined together. EtiquetteNepalese people tend to live mostly with their family and follow all traditions and celebrate many festivals. It has been said that there are more festivals than days in a year in Nepal. Every festival carries a meaning, be it related to religion, animals or nature. There is actually a day in Nepal when even dogs are worshipped and honoured. This is a way of paying respect to the virtue of the animal and its significance to the society of Nepal. People are also treated as manifestations of gods. Father’s day, mother’s day, brother’s day, sister’s day, teacher’s day and ‘day for yourself’ are some of the festivals which are celebrated alongside the festivals dedicated to gods like Bramha, Vishnu, Shiva, Ganesh, Ram, Krishna and many more. Cows are treated as a symbol of Laxmi, the goddess of wealth, and killing them is prohibited. Doing so carries a sentence of life imprisonment. Hinduism is the state religion in Nepal. According to the religion, the king is the incarnation of god Vishnu. Nepal is also the birthplace of Buddha, Siddartha Gautama, who was born in Lumbini 2500 years ago and spread his teachings around the world. Nepalese society follows three distinct paths of Buddha. Mahayana or greater vehicle is prevalent among Tibetan people. Theravada (Hinayana) or lesser vehicle is followed by many Newari people. Vajrayana (belief in Vajra - Ultimate Power) is followed by the Vajyacharya group of Newari people. Most Nepalese people follow both Hinduism and Buddhism and there has never been any religious conflict between them in Nepal. When entering a Hindu temple, people must take off their shoes and any leather belongings such as belts or bags. Taking off shoes is mandatory before entering temples and most of the Nepalese would also like people to take off shoes before entering rooms. Also important to Nepali culture is the respect of elders. One is not supposed to consciously sit in a higher position than elders. Food and Drink Finding food of your taste in Kathmandu will not be a problem. Foreign food can be found in Thamel, Kathmandu, Lakeside in Pokhara, and the Chitwan National Park. Elsewhere you will usually have to eat Nepali food. ‘Daalbhaat’ is the traditional Nepali meal and is eaten twice a day at around 9.30am and 8pm. Daalbhaat is boiled rice, lentil soup accompanied by a vegetable curry dish. Many volunteers find it tasty and healthy. Foods such as chips, sandwiches, burgers and cakes are not available in rural areas due to a lack of proper refrigeration systems and ideas of cooking styles. However travellers who do not like daalbhaat may find light foods like noodles, biscuits, chawmins etc more palatable. While your body adjusts to a different diets it may be advisable to avoid eating food with a large meat content for first few days of your visit and choose plain, light foods such as sandwiches, fruits, salads and baked goods. Drink water straight from the tap is not recommended anywhere in Nepal. Please ensure you have boiled water properly or purified with tablets. Bottled water is safe for drinking and is widely available. Please ensure the seal has not been broken before purchasing. VSSN has arranged for all volunteers to have boiled water whilst staying in villages. ClimateClimate in Nepal ranges from freezing cold in the high altitude regions of the Himalayas to subtropical in the lowland or Terai region. The mountainous or middle parts of Nepal have moderate climate. The day-time temperature is around 20 degrees Celsius all year round. However during the summer months of May and June the temperature can rise to 35 degrees Celsius in this region. During the winter months of December to February, days are slightly shorter and cooler. The evenings and nights can reach as low as 0 degrees Celsius in Kathmandu. During the monsoon season, July to August, there are a few hours of rain on most days, however there are still many days of bright sunshine. Obviously it’s the wettest time of the year and travelling around the country may not be the most pleasant experience. During the monsoon season, Nepalese people plant rice and the vegetation is lush green. The best seasons to visit Nepal are between October and December, when there are many festivals and between March and May. If the climate of Nepal is very different from your own country’s climate, please take special care of yourself during the first 72 hours of your stay in Nepal. Humidity, pollution, air infections are likely to cause illnesses such as diarrhoea, cold etc. CostThe paragraphs below give approximate costs of essentials in Nepal. This information may be useful for planning ahead. (1 US$ = approx. 70 NPR) § HotelsIn Kathmandu, hotel availability only becomes problematic between October and November. A reasonable room with common bathroom with hot shower costs between 200 and 500 Rupees per night. More luxurious rooms obviously cost more and you can expect to pay up to 1000 Rupees per night for good rooms in some of the well-known hotels in Thamel. Rooms outside Kathmandu are slightly cheaper and should cost around 400 Rupees per night is the average price for a reasonable room with necessary facilities. § FoodA meal costs around 200 Rupees and drinks add up to another 100 or so. You can reduce the cost by eating vegetarian foods and drinking soft drinks. Tips are optional and giving small tips will mean good service and good food. Food is normally fresh but sometimes you may be unlucky. Try to eat at recommended restaurants and avoid eating anything that smells strange or does not look normal. § TransportTaxis are not expensive in Nepal, however, meter taxis are only available in Kathmandu. Drivers may want you to pay a fixed price. Wherever possible, ask driver to use the meter and bear in mind 1km costs around 15-20 Rupees. A taxi from Thamel to the airport costs around 250 Rupees, to Patan durbar square about 200 rupees and around 400 Rupees to Bhaktapur. Public buses in Katmandu are numbered according to routes. Direct buses cost 5 Rupees for up to 5 km. Microbuses and Tempu (tuk-tuks) also numbered exactly as buses cost 7 or 8 Rupees. § CommunicationInternational phone calls can be expensive in Nepal. A high quality call with no delay can cost 150 Rupees per minute. An inferior quality call may cost 40 Rupees per minute. You can always use email and Internet very cheaply if your communication needs are not urgent. Internet access costs around 25 rupees per hour in Kathmandu. § ClothingBuying clothing in Nepal is normally cheap. You may find a reasonable quality t-shirt for 200 rupees, trousers for around 500 rupees etc. But please be aware that stores may not have XXL sizes or trouser of longer lengths. The cost of clothes can vary greatly from store to store. Hats and sunglasses are also available anywhere in Kathmandu. A very good place to shop in Kathmandu is New Road. § DrinksBottled water is usually consumed instead of tap water and costs around 30 rupees/litre. Soft drinks cost around 20 rupees in restaurants. If you buy them in local grocery shops it costs 10 to 12 rupees. While staying in village you can ask for boiled water from your host family. § Music and BooksIn Thamel you can find almost all of the latest CDs, MP3s and MD. They are mostly copied from originals but sound quality is usually good. You can ask to play the music before buying. Copied CDs cost around 200 Rupees and originals cost between 500 and 1000. You are likely to find many used books at very cheap prices and you can sell them when you are finished with them. We recommend that volunteers buy instrumental and eastern music, which may not be found in other countries. They may make good gifts or mementos of Nepal. § SouvenirsNepal has a lot of souvenirs to offer to travellers. Metal crafts, handmade paper, t-shirts, paintings, badges, bangles etc may be interesting gifts. They are not expensive and you can bargain for good price. Prices range from 100 to 5000 Rupees. § EntertainmentThamel is the major place for nights out. There are many pubs, bars, and clubs in Thamel. In clubs, however, drinks cost twice the normal price. Pubs are not expensive you will pay slightly more than usual price for drinks. You can enjoy good music and also ask them to play your favourites if they have them. § Cameras, Film and AccessoriesThe best place to buy electronics goods is New Road. You can also develop and print photos and have them scanned. It costs around 200 Rupees per film and extra 200 or so for scanning and putting in disk. § Hiring Cars and BikesYou can hire a motorbike, bicycle or car if you find traffic in Kathmandu manageable. Motorbike hire costs around 400 Rupees, a bicycle around 100 Rupees and cars 1000 – 2000 Rupees per day. § Guides and PortersThe national rate for guides for a half-day sightseeing tour is 650 Rupees but you will pay slightly more if it is arranged by hotels or travel agents. Whilst trekking you may hire a guide and porter for 500 Rupees/ and 300 Rupees per day respectively. § Entrance Fees and Airport taxMost historical places in the Kathmandu valley have entrance fees for travellers. For example, the entrance fees is 700 Rupees for westerners to enter Bhaktapur city. The airport tax is 1695 Rupees when you take international flight from Kathmandu. § Trekking permitsYou will be required to obtain trekking permit to enter some of the popular routes like Mustang, Dolpa and Makalu regions. For Annapurna and Everest treks you need to pay the conservation area fees. Please try to ensure you have obtained them before you travel. Maoists are also charging entrance fees in those places. Please consult VSSN staff for advice if you wish to go trekking. Interesting Places to Visit in Nepal
Nepal, in brief Nepal can be an exhausting and disorganised country for people who are used to living in very luxurious and convenient life. Nepalese people care more about human values and needs and modern amenities are only available to limited population. One may feel being perplexed by unnecessary bargains and requests made by street traders and service providers like hotel, taxi, porters etc. Those who are experienced can easily escape them and even benefit from the cheap offers. But first time visitors should always take time to think and only use trusted names and services. Nepalese people never attempt to harm travellers and have very deep concept of respect for them. Every Nepali follows the saying “Atithi Devo Bhava” or “Visitors are Gods”. So they are always willing to help if you are in difficulty. In fact, even use of a little Nepali will be of great help and you will always be appreciated and responded to well when you use it. People in Nepal are enthusiastic, respectful to people from other parts of the world and are always keen to learn about the world. Only about 5% of population in Nepal has direct contact with people around the world and they do not have much knowledge about the world except what they have heard from others or seen in newspapers. People spend generations improving their living standards in Nepal and there has recently been a rapid movement of population from rural areas to urban areas of Nepal. We notice that there are so many things that Nepal has to learn from the world. Travellers and volunteers are probably the best source of knowledge and inspiration about the world for the people of Nepal. In Nepal, Kathmandu valley has many exciting places for visitors. It is the religious, cultural, commercial, educational epicenter of Nepal. It is a place, full of history and medieval cultures and wonders, in other words a living museum. One can feel that time has paused here for a while. At the same time, Kathmandu is one of the most modern cities in Nepal and offers all the modern amenities to the travellers seeking luxuries. Whilst staying in Kathmandu might be exhausting after a while, one can always escape the crowd and dust in the picturesque countryside of the Kathmandu valley. Those seeking true escape from all these urban life, can always walk into the foothills of great Himalayas for hours, days or even weeks and feel the true sense of nature. Strong white water rivers from the Himalayas are great for adventure seekers as well as enthusiasts. One major problem a visitor may notice is the increasing air pollution and dust in the Kathmandu valley. It is advisable to wear clothing that is light, comfortable and does not need extensive care. Getting around by taxi is the easiest way but may be expensive for frequent travellers. There are always buses, micro buses, tempo (cheap three wheelers) which can take you to places at significantly lower costs but please make sure the driver is taking you to the right place! Also please note that public transport in Nepal is not always. Some Nepalese people may have the idea that all foreign travellers are very rich. While most Nepalese people will not bother asking you for help, please avoid those who ask you for financial help or gifts. Generally Nepalese people are very friendly and outgoing but there is still a large number of population who hesitate to talk with foreigners because they are either too shy or may feel uneasy because of differences in culture, language and attitudes. Nepalese people have many traditions. According to religious scripts there were as many gods as people and this is apparent from the many festivals celebrated during year. All the festivals have their own values and rituals and they are devoted to particular gods. By watching the festivals one can guess that Nepalese people are quite religious. In fact, Nepal is the meeting point of two great religions, Hinduism and Buddhism. Many Nepalese people follow both religions and celebrate all the festivals. They also, however, respect all the religions in the world. Nepal might be completely
different from your own country but with a little flexibility and patience, you
will have a wonderful time in Nepal. |