Running Into Life

Posted on April 5, 2014 by The Wandering Nomads

“The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion.”

I often meet travelers who are running away from life. From their boring stagnant jobs, from a divorce or bad breakup, or from a family they can’t stand to be around. Don’t get me wrong, I think that travel is quite a healthy way to run away from the real world for a while, from the stress of daily life as you figure out your next move. It teaches you to look inside of yourself and see what you truly want. It makes rethink how you should live your life and what makes you happy. It opens you up to new ideas, and creates opporutnies you never would have believed existsed. Yes, I believe travel is indeed a healthy form of real life avoidance, it just doesn’t happen to be the reason I travel.

A Somewhat Miserable Ride: 5,800km

Posted on April 5, 2014 by The Wandering Nomads

“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be. ”

We started out early to beat the heat, but had to stop within half a kilometer as my gear cable had broken. Though Kevin fixed it easily, it took a bit of our somewhat cool morning which meant that we would be cycling more throughout the heat of the day.

On The Un-Road: 5,650km

Posted on April 2, 2014 by The Wandering Nomads

“Your bike is discovery; your bike is freedom. It doesn’t matter where you are, when you’re on the saddle, you’re taken away.”

“All my troubles disappear once I pedal my bike.” Kevin turned to me on our second day of riding and announced that he would love to create a bumper sticker that said just that and attach it to the back of his bike. Though we had both been suffering from stomach problems (which I am quick to blame on the deathly spicy chowmein we consumed), the beautiful landscape we found ourselves cycling through was enough to dispel our stomach troubles. After a magnificent downhill through the small farming villages doted along the hillside, we arrived at the valley were we found ourselves following a river. Kevin, being an avid fisherman, proposed we stop early for the day in order to spend the afternoon exploring the river. I readily agreed, and spent a peaceful afternoon bathing, wandering, and watching life slowly pass by me.

On The Road Again: 5,500km

Posted on April 1, 2014 by The Wandering Nomads

“…How do you catch a cloud and pin it down.”

Leaving Kathmandu was hell. It was busy, complicated, and represented everything I have grown to hate about cities. About an hour in Kevin turned around and grinned at me as he exclaimed, “this is the coolest thing I have ever done.” Though I was becoming increasingly frustrated with the maze we were trying to extract ourselves from, I had to stop for a moment and remember that this really is the coolest thing I have ever done. That even if I am momentarily annoyed at the cars, dust, and people, there is still no where else I would rather be. The day steadily improved as Kevin and I soon found ourselves cycling up and down through the foothills of the Himalayas, surrounded by more farms and goats than cars. It was our first day cycling together, and though he was faster than me on the up hills, I could usually catch up on the downhills and flats. Overall our riding seemed very compatible.

Slowly But Surely, Women Will Be People Too

Posted on March 29, 2014 by The Wandering Nomads

“Because from childhood I know no human being died because of poverty – everything happens because of ignorance.”

A month ago in the BBC there was an inspiring article, “The Sanitary Pad Revolutionary,” which gave me hope that, however slowly, the conditions for women around the world are indeed improving. The story follows a school dropout from a poor family in India who has created a simple machine that can be used to make sanity pads, as most women in India can not afford them. Best of all, he has created jobs for thousands of women as well. It is “by the women, for the women, and to the women,” an extremely rare commodity in India where inequality is still as harsh as ever.

Caste system

Posted on March 28, 2014 by The Wandering Nomads

“Your life is the message to the world. Make sure it’s inspiring.”

I am often asked what my caste is, a question that took me by surprise at first as I didn’t realize how prevalent the system of segregation still is. Though it is less predominate than in previously decades, it is still unfortunately a huge part of the Hindu society. When I went paragliding in Pokhara, the friend who took me pointed out how the lower caste folks had to carry their gliders as well as those of the higher caste folks up the hill. The higher caste people walked up with hill empty handed. It is still hard for people of a lower caste to get jobs, and even to this day, marrying into a lower caste is seem as shameful. One of the girls at Hopeful Home explained to me that not too long ago if a lower caste person touched water or food, the higher caste person wouldn’t dare to touch it as it was seen as contaminated. The higher caste folks wouldn’t even dream of touching a lower caste person either, and the lower caste folks were not given the opportunity of an education or a decent job. Though it is slowly changing, it is still an ever present part of this unequal society.

How The Blog Works

Posted on March 26, 2014 by The Wandering Nomads

“Destined to be an old women with no regrets.”

I have had a few questions as to how I am able to post so often, especially since most of the time I am without internet. So, I have decided to let you in on my little secret.

Right now I am… Well who knows really, hopefully approaching the end of the road in the Makalu region in Eastern Nepal. No matter where I am, I don’t have internet, and have used a very useful little trick to post this blog in advance.

Time To Cycle

Posted on March 23, 2014 by The Wandering Nomads

“Bicycling is a big part of the future. It has to be. There’s something wrong with a society that drives a car to work out in a gym.”

After a four month break, a break about three and a half months longer than I had planned for, I am ready to hop back in the saddle and become a cycle-tourer again. India and Nepal have proven to be more of a cultural tour than anything else, which is exactly what I wanted. I have spent more time off the bike than actually riding, but I have also had some absolutely amazing experiences. Now though, I’m ready to start cycling a bit more, continuing to gather cultural stories as I go of course.

Holi: The Festival Of Paint Throwing

Posted on March 23, 2014 by The Wandering Nomads

“Nostalgia in reverse, the longing for yet another strange land.”

Holy, the festival of colors is a festival I have always wanted to see. Ever since I was young I remember seeing pictures and video clips of a crazy festival in India where everyone throws powdered colors. I even remember asking an Indian friend in Belgium about it because I was so intrigued. I did indeed get to partake in the somewhat crazy event here in Nepal, though unfortunately without any pictures as I didn’t want to ruin my camera.

Shivaratri: Drugs, Ash, and Naked Men

Posted on March 21, 2014 by The Wandering Nomads

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and then go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

I arrived back at Hopeful Home just in time for Shivaratri, an amusing Hindu festival that I quite enjoyed seeing. Though the festival is celebrated differently in the different Hindu countries of Asia, here is how it was outside my doorstep.