World Trippers' - Nithin's Asian Adventure

At Tokyo Speed!

noreply@blogger.com (Nithin) — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 01:13:00 +0000

Tokyo! Arriving via night bus to the busiest train station in the world, for numbers, 2 million passengers pass through, 750,000 transfer here. That's 1/2 the population of Kansas City going through one train station not much bigger than Union Station in KC every freaking day!

And me, a midwestern/california, used to wide open spaces, 10 lane traffic jams, but never the rush of thousands of people heading for the same trains at the same time, but in dramatic order.

Tokyo is unlike any city I've ever been to, suprisingly less like New York than I though. New York is less busy, more built up, and has far less green space. Plus, the people here are much more courteous, repectful, and orderly than arrogant New Yorkers, and they speak better English! (j/k on the last part). New York has far worse traffic and less crowded trains, but Tokyo is far easier to get across, if you don't mind being a human sandwich between two Japanese businessmen. One good thing - Japanese are extremely hygenic, take multiple showers a day, and ever wear face masks when sick so as not to spread their germs. No way that would happen in NYC.

Some photos from Tokyo below. Enjoy!

Here are some photos from the fastest city on earth.

This is whale. Yes, whale. Whale sushi. It tasted like...bloody raw pork. Not bad. The Yasukuni Shrine, a controversial shrine which honors Japanese killed in wars, including many war criminals.Harujuku, one of the premier fashion districts of the world. I felt out of place in my worn travel gear. No photos allowed in the shops, enforced by large scary Africans.
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Cherry Blossoms Festival, Japan

noreply@blogger.com (Nithin) — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 01:55:00 +0000

It is the most beautiful time of the year to visit. Japan during cherry blossoms, sakuda in Japanese. These lovely trees, of which there are 150 types, bloom in brilliant shades of white, pink, red, but their glory is brief, lasting barely one week. To be in Japan when these trees bloom is a good omen, and a great way to end a trip around the world. And I made it! Cherry Blossom festivals, Hanami parties to celebrate the beauty, see below my photos of the Cherry Blossom week in Osaka, Nara, and Tokyo Japan!

The Hanami party was classic - picture the cherry blossoms lit up by light, along a narrow pedestrian street, and below, tens of mats with picnics, full with drinks, Japanese BBQ, and more. A great time. Thank you, Japan, for greeting me with such beauty. Unfortunatly, if I ever return, I know it will be nothing like this.

Goodbye, South East Asia!

noreply@blogger.com (Nithin) — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 12:19:00 +0000

5 months. From November 7th, to April 2nd. 5 countries, 2 months in Thailand, 1 month, 3 weeks in Malaysia, 3 weeks in Cambodia, 9 days in Laos, and 5 days in Singapore. Countless bus rides, train rides, five boats (3 questionable ones), 3 flights, a few animals, lots of squat toilets, cold showers, missing toilet paper, riel, baht, ringitt, dollars, kip, food poisoning twice (only!)

and rice. Lots and lots of rice.

And now its almost over.

SE Asia. Yes, I missed the three biggest countries (Burma, Vietnam and the Phillipines), but you can only do so much in 5 months.

In two days I head to Japan. And as I reflect on the last five month, it's just amazing. What was so amazing about Southeast Asia? Was it the people I met, from the students at my schools in Isaan, Thailand, to my fellow boatmates sleeping underneath the clearest view of the stars I have ever along the Mekong River in Laos. Maybe its the torrential tropical rainstorm that hit during our river cruise through the untamed jungles of Borneo, or the high speed boat chase to the Perhenthian Islands, flying over the water. Or the fact that, as I was writing this post, a Malaysian I met in Kuala Lumpur a month ago came in, said hi, and invited me to go to a party down the road?

Maybe.

It was here in Southeast Asia that I learned how to dance like a banana in front of hundreds of Thai kids, a skill that will undoubtedly come in useful in America. Where I learned about the destitution, horror, and pain brought upon by the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia only three years before I was born.

Southeast Asia is unique in how every country is at a completely different level of development, due to the twin daggers of colonialism and the Vietnam War. On one side, you have Singapore, the 4th richest country in the world by per-capita GDP, a modern, ultra clean, ultra safe city state. Then Malaysia, slowly making its way towards becoming a developed nation by 2020, its goal, with the tallest twin towers in the world. Thailand comes next, a poorer country but fiercely independent, having never been colonized. Laos, the same size as England but with 54 million less people, is a peaceful, rural country where worldly concerns seem another world away. Then you have Cambodia, only 10 years shy of a 25 year long civil war in which an estimated 1/3rd of the population was killed, many more maimed and the wounds are still fresh. You see them everyday on the streets, the street children who've had their arms blown off in what is one of the most mined countries in the world.

Only in Southeast Asia can you see all this in such a close region. Where you can see how modernity can be double faced.

Onwards to Japan!

Overland from Malaysia to Angkor Wat

noreply@blogger.com (Nithin) — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 05:26:00 +0000

I calculated the time. One hour bus ride from Kota Bharu, Malaysia to the Thai border. A 20 hour train ride to Bangkok. Overnight in Bangkok, then at 5:55AM a 5 hour train ride to the Cambodian border, followed by a 3-7 hour bus or taxi ride to Siem Reap, Cambodia.

30+ hours over 2 1/2 days just to save $30?

Hell Yeah!

Here are some excerts from my Overland Adventure Log. Enjoy!

Day 1, 12pm. I'm now on the bus, it is a/c and only RM 3.90 ($1.15) ...the bus is moving fast the arabic signed storefronts of central Kota Bharu, the teak flowerpots on arabic style wood carved pillars that adorn the sidewalks. I can't believe that Thailand is really only an hour away.

Day 1, 2:10pm, Songol Kolok, Thai-Malay Border. The carriage two in front of me, #8, looked absolutely horrible - dirty, people standing, boxes everywhere. That must be the cargo car...for those piles of boxes and such I saw upon entering the station.
My car is nice, cushioned benches, rotating oscliating fans attached to the ceiling, two sinks with running water in front and only a few people...
Moving! 10 or 15 minutes late. Onward to Bangkok!

7ish, Hat Yai. The train is now almost full, my peacefuil quad now a residence for 3. 2 more carriages, at least, have been attached to the back. The sun is setting, I bought my first item from a hawker, 10 baht pineapple, but I've yet to see the delicacies - papaya salad, roast chicken, and banana lead curries of previous Thai train rides. Hopefully soon!

2pm day 2. The sunrise was amazing...the colors sillouted against the mountains, still pitch black, offshore on the islands of the bay, giving the impression of an eerie fire erupting from beyond the seas, but gripping. the few awake Thaias also were staring at the sunrise, but the army folk were not.

6AM day 3. I've boarded the third leg of my journey - an ordinary train to the Cambodia border. 48 baht ($1.15) for the 5 hour journey on an all 3rd class train. A few other backpackers on the train. Thailand, I leave you so soon, just a day. I was barely getting to know you, Bangkok, adieu!

Noon, Cambodia border. The borders officials want me to pay a bribe. I refused, they wanted 1000 baht ($28) though the visa fee is $20, on a huge sign right above the visa window. I gave $20, and sat down to wait after arguing for a few minutes. He showed me stack of passports and told me - "if you don't pay me 200 baht (above the $20) you will be waiting for a long time." I was told to hold my ground, and I did. Will I get my passport back?
10 minutes later. Everyone. All the Canadians, the english guy, two Asians tourists, got their visa before me. The waiting game. I can't give in, no way. Another man with a suitcase, looks Japanese, got his too.
5 minutes later.I GOT IT! Only 10 minutes of waiting and I saved $8 over all the other westerners. And my bus to Siem Reap for $8, the girls paid $20, and the Battambang crownd $12-13. I win! Of course, now I'm lonely but, oh well. It really wasn't that frustrating in the end.

2pm Poipet, Cambodia. Now this minibus. Will it depart on time? It's 2:02, he said 2:30, ticket says 3. I'll be happy if I depart by 3.

First impressions of Cambodia - Poipet is a dirty border town but the tourist hawkers were not as pushy as I expected. The people are dramatically different from Thai people, so many children, very poor. Reminds me more of India than any other country I've been to.

As for how my 25 or so odd days here will go, no fucking clue.

630pm, Halfway point to Siem Reap。 Maybe not paying for one's visa bribe is allerted throughout the country. Now, everyone else in the restaurant has gotten their food before me. The cambodian waiter got very defensive when I asked him. 2 minutes later, my food comes!

The bus isde is bumpy, a understatement, the bumbiest busride on the world road I've seen this trip. The road is horrible, but at least I'm not suck. The ride really isn't so bad. The Dramamine is helping.

1030pm, Siem Reap. I made it! My reward, walking down the street to the supermarket and being offered whores (boom boom? You want boom boom?) 3 times. Even when I said no, they didn't seem to believe me. Cambodia has overwhelmed me. Much more in your face, none of the anonymity of Malaysia where I could so easily blend in.

Overland Journey - total cost, 848 baht, $24 dollars, less than the exit tax at Cambodian airports ($25). Will I proceed to do another overland journey back to Kuala Lumpur? Well, we'll see. Goodnight!

Photos from Borneo

noreply@blogger.com (Nithin) — Sun, 04 Mar 2007 02:28:00 +0000

Borneo is the only island in the world that has three countries on it - Malaysia in the north, little Brunei, and Indonesia in the south. It's a tropical paradise, full of amazing animals found no where else in the world. Kohei, my good friend from Irvine/Japan, came down and visited for a week. The following is the account of our adventure.

I'm King of the Jungle...ouch!

Can you see how clear that water is? Or all the fish and Sea creatures swimming around me feet? Amazing water!

Me and Kohei pretending to be monkeys (we also threw poop at the camera, but those photos are censored)

You can see more photos of our adventure at Kohei's Borneo album, just click here.

Onwards to Cambodia!

noreply@blogger.com (Nithin) — Sun, 04 Mar 2007 02:22:00 +0000

The adventure that is portion 5 - which, for me, began almost 5 months ago on November 7th, 2006, continues. After a fantastic one and half month stay in Malaysia (the last three days spent relaxing with friends on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Palau Perhenthian), I'm ready to move on.

To...Cambodia!

Overland!

I'll he hopping on an 18 hour train ride to Bangkok, from where I'll take a 5 hour train to the Cambodian border, 23 hours on a train, 1 hour on a bus to the Thai border, then 5 hours on a bus to Angkor Wat. Am I crazy? Probably, yet the idea of an overland adventure like this excites me like no other.

I'll be posting photos from my week trip in Borneo, one of the great untamed parts of the world, soon. And to the many of you who are on my long email queue, sorry! I am horrible at responding and probably won't respond until I get back home :-(.

Thaipusam Festival

noreply@blogger.com (Nithin) — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 09:44:00 +0000

Thaipusam is a ancient Hindu festival that is, strangely, only celebrated in Malaysia among the Indian community here. It is, in fact, the most important day on the Malaysian Hindu calendar.

You've probably seem video from this festival on TV. If not, maybe these photos will ring a bell. If not, read to learn more!

Over 1 million people attended the Thaipusam this year, which is dedicated to the Hindu god Murugan (the big gold statue in the photo to the left). The temple that the festival takes place in Kuala Lumpur (it is celebrated all around Malaysia) is Batu caves, outside the city.

Devotees try to repent for their sins by carrying heavy metal floats hooked onto their skin with hooks all the way up to the caves. 276 steps. Yep. Many of them seemed to be in strange, possibly drug induced trances, dancing in circles and never looking anyone in the eyes.

We got to watch the priest inserting the hooks, needles, and more into the devotees bodies. They rarely flinched, were incredibly patient, and sometimes seemed totally lucid.

The huge crowds, the daring people with needles in the most horrible places (one lady had a spear right through her cheeks!). It was an interesting day, though the crowds pushing and shoving to get up the hill made me almost puke. Enjoy the photos!

My Fellow Travelers

noreply@blogger.com (Nithin) — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 10:56:00 +0000

10 1/2 months on the road. 25 countries, 300+ days of travelling. It's a long time, and as I near the end stretch run of this trip, its strange to look back at the early days and to see where I've gone.

But there is the one question that burns in my head. Have I changed as a person?

Having travelled along the last 6 months, I've met almost no one who knew me before my travels, no one that could judge whether or not I've changed. Other travellers relish in self perspection, sure of how much they've changed and sure of their own perceptions. But I know that who I am often depends on who's around me. So who am I?

I also believe that you truly learn about yourself when you are in the toughest situations. But, lately, travelling has become easy, almost routine. Part of it is that I've adjusted to the customs and ways of the local culture after the tough adjustment period. But it also has to do with where I am - Malaysia, a fascinating culture but a pretty developed country that lacks the rigors of truly 3rd world countries like Nepal.

Anyway, that is my rant for today. I have photos and a huge writeup on a Hindu festival I attended in Kuala Lumpur, but I keep forgetting my photo cord. And im stuck in this internet cafe cause its pouring rain outside, though i need to catch a night bus to the remote east coast of malaysia in...2 hours. STOP RAINING!

A Tirade on "Football"

noreply@blogger.com (Nithin) — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 03:07:00 +0000

Flashback!
It was the first round of the NFL playoffs, and I made sure to be in a city with "a decent ex-pat population". As I walked around, I noticed about 5 British or Irish pubs. The Chargers were playing the Patriots, my favorite team versus my 2nd least favorite team (soon to be promoted, in fact). I walk into the pub.

"Do you play sports here?" I asked to the husky Englishman behind the bar.
"Yes", he said with a hint of the obvious.
"Do you play American football", I asked with hope in my eyes.
"No..we play proper football."

Proper football?

Europeans can travel anywhere in the world and see their football. Liverpool games are played in every (and i mean EVERY) bar in Malaysia. NFL games? But that's okay. Its the attitude that gets to me.

I've been in countless situations where a group of Europeans or Australians has decided to bash American football. And it turns out I'm the only American who cares to defend this sport, though you never see me tirade against football (until this post). I am a lover of all sports, unlike most English men who seem to have space in their brains for only one sports.

Football. Football. Soccer, I mean.

This is the end of the tirade. please ignore everything. expect more if Nithin is unable to watch the Super Bowl this coming Sunday.

Nithin: Malaysian Fusion

noreply@blogger.com (Nithin) — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 10:30:00 +0000

I've entered Malaysia, a fascinating country with delicious food, a mixed spectrum of people and amazing landscapes.

In my week here, I've feasted. Thai food is good, but, after 2 months of eating nothing but Thai food, I literally might puke if I see another plate of rice, or noodle soup. Thank god for Malaysia, and the delicious South Indian food, the amazing Southern Chinese food, the Scones and strawberries, not to mention Malay food.

Uhh...I actually haven't tried Malay food yet. But Indian food, 9 times. Yep!

I'll be in Malaysia for a month longer, including a weeklong trek into one of the most dangerous and untouched tropical regions of the world. Borneo, land of footlong poisonous insects, the world's smallest elephants, and hundreds of undiscovered species. Photos coming soon!

Photos from Vang Viene

noreply@blogger.com (MrRyan) — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 04:51:00 +0000

Here are some recent photos from Laos.

Thai Photos!

noreply@blogger.com (Nithin) — Sat, 13 Jan 2007 09:37:00 +0000

In 3 days, I will leave Thailand, my home for the majority of the last month and a half, and head to Malaysia. So, in a farewell to a country where I have some bright and beautiful memories -
Thailand...the land of smiles, here are the best of photos of Siam!

Me and two village kids...at the Golden Triangle, the drug smuggling corners of Laos, Thailand, and Burma.

Sala Kaew, an amazing temple in Nong Khai with enormous statues of Buddhist and Hindu gods.

Sunset over the river kwai from my guesthouse in Kanchanaburi, Thailand.

In Ayutthaya, I was minding my own business at the ruins when this bus came up, and hundreds of schoolkids in pink ran out.

Playing Takor, or i like to call it, kick volleyball, with Thai kids. They kicked our ass.

My and the fellow volunteers heading out for a day of work in NE Thailand!

The Mekong River. I'm in Thailand, that's Laos on the other side. could've snuck across for $2.

signatures for the thai kids. We're Famous!

Nithin: Update...Southern Thailand

noreply@blogger.com (Nithin) — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 07:30:00 +0000

After a little sojourn, I'm back on the trail, having arrived via airplane to Southern Thailand. In my almost 1 1/2 months in Thailand, I have yet to visit what Thailand is more famous for - its beaches. So far, a bit dissapointed - the prices are far more expensive than in the north and northeast, the food less tasty and the people a bit less friendly, and there are so many tourists everywhere. And, of course, during my first day in paradise, its raining.

Officially, I have extended my trip for one more month. I have nothing to come back to in the states in March 2007, as my only plan is to take a few summer courses before finding a job. So I will be coming home in late April 2007.

I'll be spending the next month and a half exploring the peninsula, which includes Malaysia as well as Southern Thailand. What adventures await me in the tropics besides lots of sweat, tropical rainstorms, and beautiful people? Will I still be alive in a month and a half, only to head to the untamed jungles of Borneo? And the biggest question...will I cut my hair?

Bombs over Bangkok

noreply@blogger.com (MrRyan) — Mon, 01 Jan 2007 22:13:00 +0000

Well I have appreciated all the concern from people trying to make sure we are alright after hearing about the bomb attack on Bangkok during the New Year's celebration.

Well I assure you that all five of the trippers are safe and sound and in their respective exotic area of the world. Hope everyone had a great New Year, and a good 2006, I know my was great considering the fact that I spent 8 months of the year job-less travelling around the world. Sorry about the short post but my days have mostly just been filled up by sun bathing and reading Harry Potter, nothing too strange and exciting, cheers!

Ryan

More Photos

noreply@blogger.com (MrRyan) — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 03:41:00 +0000

This is the Remainder of the photos that didn't go up for some reason in my last post.

Santa brought PHOTOS!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (MrRyan) — Sun, 24 Dec 2006 13:10:00 +0000

This is what Thailand looks like. Enjoy!

Isaan, Thailand Photos

noreply@blogger.com (Nithin) — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 11:24:00 +0000

Look and wonder.

Dancing as bananas for the kids.

As a gesture of thanks, the students...attacked us with talcum powder!!!

Me and my fans.

After school lessons with the village kids.

I'm not quite sure whats going on here...

More photos to come...once i find a computer with a CD ROM drive.

To The People of Isaan

noreply@blogger.com (Nithin) — Sat, 16 Dec 2006 14:16:00 +0000

(Isaan, which literally means Northeast, is the least touristy and least developed of the four regions of thailand, with its own distinct culture, language and people. Formally, Isaan was part of Laos, when Laos was part of thailand.)

Thank you Isaan.

I came as a stranger, yet I've never felt more at home this trip. I came bearing nothing but my native language, english, and a bamboo stick I picked up off the street. You gave me so much more, love, hospitality, and immediately welcomed me into your homes, your schools, and your hearts.

I'll never forget my 3 weeks in Isaan, and the warmth of the people will always remain in my heart. I wish I could give you more! You have given me so much, and all I did was talk.

So I tell you once again, thank you for everything! Kop Khun Krap!

The Life of a Teenage Hearttrob

noreply@blogger.com (Nithin) — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 14:45:00 +0000

With my bamboo stick in hand, my safari hat on, and a brain full of english, I have been spreading the good words of the English Language throughout NE Thailand the past week.

I'm right now in the computer lab at a school not too far from the Lao border. There are 4 guys sleeping here, my fellow volunteers from Korea, Italy, and our Thai coordinator, while the girls are downstairs. In other roomsare 150 students, about 130 girls and maybe 20 guys. Apparantly, only Thai girls want to learn English.

So I can tell you without a doubt that I have been told "I love you" and "you are very handsome" more times this past week than in my entire life before this. Whenever I join a group, or rotate, I hear cheers (as does my fellow young male, though not an eligable bachelor, Jin from Korea). And when I answer the question - "are you single.."

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!! (increase pitch accordingly)

Tomorrow, I join a buddhist meditation retreat for 3 days, and then more teaching! Adieu!

On the Slow Boat to Nowhere

noreply@blogger.com (Nithin) — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 13:19:00 +0000

The authentic way to travel Laos. 2 days on a slow boat down the famous Mekong River from the Northern Thai - Lao border to the ancient, remote capital of the kingdom of a thousand elephants, Luang Prabang, Laos.

At least, that how I felt as the boat pushed off in the scorching mid-summer SE Asian heat, crammed the bone with people, 90% western tourists or Thais, and a few Lao here and there. We were off! The boat went peacefully down the river, the scenery was breathtaking. I really could do this for two days, this first hour has gone by like nothing!

RUMBLE RUMBLE...POOFOSH!

Oh my god.

The boat came to a stop, and all the Lao conductors immediately took their shirts off. Are we abandoning ship? It really sounded like it hit a rock - did it hit a rock? How do we know, we're stupid western tourists. We've never been on a boat before! Don't leave us Laos!

Enough drama. So, within one hour of leaving, our boat broke down. We went to the side where had to wait for almost 2 hours for another boat to rescue us. This would be the 2nd boat out of 3 that would finally get me to Luang Prabang. Our itinerary called for us leaving at 10:30 (we left at noon), and spending a night in a city along the way. But now we were 4-5 hours behind schedule. Could we make up the time?

Thankfully, the new boat was much larger, and had no seats so could stretch out, lean over the edge, and truly enjoy the beauty of the Mekong river. My biggest surprise was the lack of people - so few villages, just some huts here and there, and a few naked children, but nothing else. We really were heading towards no-mans land.

The boat chugged on, with no breaks. The bananas I had bought at the border were running short, and people were complaining about hunger. Soon, it was getting dark, and the river was getting tough to see. Then, the boat stopped.

There is no village here. What's going on?

Laos is a very poor country. The Mekong is full of rocks, underground hidden ledges, and also rebels, and therefore it is unsafe to travel at night. Because of our delays, we weren't going to make it, so we'd pulled over near a safe spot.

Tonight, we, 80+ people, ranging from babies to western retirees, thais to Torontons, sleep on the boat. The boat, in the middle of nowhere, Laos.

It was one of the greatest nights of my trip around the world.

Our boat at beached at, amazingly, a beach! With sand soft, and much cleaner than, Southern California sand, the weather just as tropical, and the stars, unbelievable. The milky was stood out like a gem in a coal mine, made brighter and more brilliant with the lack of the moon. A group of Israels set up a bonfire, and the younguns from the boat (and a couple older ones) had a ramen noodle and beer feast on the hill. Alex from California provided music, Rohan from Israel was our negotiator with the Laos for substinence, Shavan collected wood while I provided the American perspective, which really means, I did nothing.

It was a great night, where I made friends and bonded through disaster in unexpected ways. Throughout the rest of my time in Laos, I would run into people from out boat, the boat that broke down, and we'd reminisce on how we survived that ordeal on the slow boat to nowhere.

Chaing Mai to Chaing Rai, on to Laos!

noreply@blogger.com (Nithin) — Sat, 18 Nov 2006 06:55:00 +0000

I've continued the trek north, arriving last evening in Chaing Rai, one letter but world apart from Chaing Mai. This is easily my favorite city thus far in Thailand, friendly people, delicious food, and a amazing guesthouse room with a TV, fridge, brand new everything, my own shower for less than $5 a night. That's why I'm staying here an extra day and going to Laos one day later.

I made a photo album that has some photos of my time in the UAE, Turkey and Nepal.

http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2099603894

Enjoy! Internet is scarce in Laos, so I might not be able to write until I return to Thailand in 10 days.

Ma Nepali Hoina!

noreply@blogger.com (Nithin) — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 14:27:00 +0000

Ma Nepali Hoina (I'm not Nepali)!

Before I started my trip around the world, I wasn't even considering going to Nepal. Now, it's the country that I've spend the 2nd longest amount of time in (behind 2 month spain), and the country where I learned some valuable lessons about humanity.

About a month or two into the trip, I decided that I needed to do something more worthwhile with my time abroad. And, thus, I got in touch with the Nepali run organization INFO Nepal. Inside Nepal Friends Organization, which ran a perfect three week volunteer and travel program. I signed up, and soon, was on my way.

It was one of the best decisions of this trip.

The second I arrived in Nepal, I knew I was in a different world. The taxi whisked me away to the guesthouse, where, due to my flight's late arrival, I would spend the night. The next day, awoken early, I was whisked off to the orphanage, Happy Home, to begin my Nepali language training, and begin my three weeks whirlwind tour of Nepal and its fabulous people.

Instead of boring you with the details, let me tell you two stories that summarize my time in Nepal.

Story 1

On day three of training, me and my training group were going to head to a nearby village to do "village training", where we would stay with a family, do some sightseeing, and learn more about Nepali culture. The drive started out horrible - the streetlight-less, jampacked, two lane road out of Kathmandu was jammed, passing trucks spewed clouds of black smog into our overcrowded car. It was hot, I was feeling sick, and we were moving at a Snail's pace. The flat plain of the Kathmandu valley spread ahead of us.

Then we broke free.

We were all breathtaken. The smog filled, dirty road gave way to the most magnificent hills I have ever seen in my life, with ride paddy clinging to jagged cliffs, mud huts alongside brick shelters, old women carrying bales of hay on their back up vertical paths. The hills, steeper and more twisted than many mountains in America, stretching endlessly in front of us. We all started quietly out the window. This is Nepal.

Story 2
While in my "placement" in the village of Dhulikhel, Nepal, a village spread over a series of hills around a peaceful, rice paddied valley. Here I taught English at the local Government school, where my classes often totaled over 60 students, crammed into a room smaller than what would fit 20-25 in the states (picture of school below).

I had to wake up at 5:30AM every day, because my family was a farming family, and farmers rise and fall according to the sun. I would leave for school around 9, after "dhaal bhat", rice and lentils that is the staple of every Nepali meal.

After teaching, my supervisor would have some students take me sightseeing. So, on my second day of teaching, two students, Bine and Ram Kumar, took me on an adventure from village to village. We climbed over a hill teeming with dangerous wasps, where Ram Kumar had seen a leopard attack and kill his dog. We traversed creeks, to a small village where people from only one caste lived. We stopped at a fellow friend's home, and when she wasn't there, her mom offered us fresh buffallo curd, nepali tea, and a refreshing yoghurt drink. Later, I got my first chance to eat sugarcare, and we continued our trek, sugarcanes in hand, attacking the hand-sized but harmless spiders of Dhulikhel.

Everywhere I went, I was treated like a friend. The hospitality was amazing, and I felt ashamed at what little I could do to return the favor. Which made me think - here, these families are so poor. The students can barely afford school supplies, many have to walk miles each day back and forth from school. Yet, me, a stranger, is welcomed heartily. In America, would a stranger be treated this well by people far richer?

I vowed, then, to be more open and giving when I return home.

At sunset, my two friends walked me home, refusing to part ways until they knew I was safe. And then, they wished me a good night. Nothing more, nothing expected in return but the trust of a friend.

I will never forget my time in Nepal, and I promise this. I will be back!
My School in Dhulikhel, Nepal.

The Family and volunteers at Happy Home!

On to Chiang Mai

noreply@blogger.com (Nithin) — Sun, 12 Nov 2006 10:29:00 +0000

Bangkok has been, sadly, a disapointment. The frat-boy like tourists, the oppressive heat, and the absurd number of 7-11's have left me with a sad impression of this city, another "east meets west" place.

So, with recomendations in hand, I am going to board a bus in 10 minutes to the 2nd city of Bangkok, Chaing Mai, gateway to the golden triangle. There, I plan to do some hiking among hill tribes, and hopefully explore some real thai culture.

Expect a fancy Nepal super-entry soon!

Nepal Himalyan Trekking Photos

noreply@blogger.com (Nithin) — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 07:22:00 +0000

My last four days in Nepal were spent trekking. Here are the best photos of my treks, all the way from 3000 feet above sea level to almost 10,000 feet (900 meters to 3500 meters). Click on the photos to see a larger version. Enjoy!

First Morning. Sunrise over Annapurna South (7200 Meters, taller than any mountain in North America)

Me, Pashupathi (my Nepali friend) and our
horrible guide, freezing on morning 2
at the highest point of the trek.

Green 9000 foot foothills of the Himalayas,
where you can actually get tropical fruits!

Beautiful Mount Fish-Tail. Can't you tell?
Looked impossible to climb, but majestic.

Me returning from Trekking, riding on the roof of the Himalayas. More about Nepal to come soon!

Namaste from Bangkok!

noreply@blogger.com (Nithin) — Wed, 08 Nov 2006 12:24:00 +0000

Yes, Namaste is not thai but Nepali. However, having just arrived in this overwhelming city yesterday, give me a few days to switch languages. Thai is hard to pronounce!

The thing that has struck me the most in my short time here is the Americanization. Last night, I took a short walk from my hostel, and within 10 minutes, walked by a Burger King, a Starbucks, a Baskin Robbins, and, count em, 4 7-11's! I only know of one 7-11 in my hometown.

Today I checked out the largest mall in Thailand and discovered the greatest foodcourt ever. Seriously, check it out, in the ground level of the Siam Center, where thw two skytrain lines meet. Huge, high tech, and delicious! After that, I checked out the famous Khao San Road, famously shown in the opening scenes of the Beach. Not quite like that (a surprising number of families) but it is the backpacker mecca. I will be switching guesthouses and staying here tomorrow night, or the day after.

Internet is cheap and fast here, so expect a plethora of photos to come soon! And a report on Nepal, an amazing 3 week experience with some amazing photos.