Visas: The Traveler Nightmare

Posted on February 11, 2014 by The Wandering Nomads

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

Visas are an absolute nightmare and unfortunately end up dictating travel plans for us voyagers. They are expensive, oppressive, and for some countries, downright frustrating or impossible to obtain. Three months seems to be a pretty typical visa allowance, and many of these can be bought on arrival (for most of South America this is true, as well as Nepal, the USA, Europe, Turkey…). They typically range from thirty to a hundred dollars which adds up quickly when you are traveling through entire continents. There are other countries which only allow a month or two (Uzbekistan and Tajikistan), and many, including the Stan’s, India, Iran, and Burma, China, and Mongolia… which need to be obtained in advance. This is especially frustrating when you are on the go and have to spend two weeks in some big city waiting for the slow process to unfold. There are a few surprises, such as Kyrgyzstan which allows 60 days free entry, and Georgia where you can stay a full year, but these are unfortunately exceptions to the rule.

October 2070

Posted on February 10, 2014 by The Wandering Nomads

“One person’s craziness is another person’s reality.”

That’s right, here in Nepal it is 2070. October 27th, 2070 to be exact. Now, as you have probably already guessed, this isn’t due to some time machine, but rather because Nepal uses a different calendar than us in the west. I was a bit confused my first few days at Hopeful Home as I noticed that each child wrote the date, a completely different date than I thought it was, on the top of their papers. I had no idea that Nepal used a different calendar than us so I decided to do a bit of research.

Bucket Showers

Posted on February 8, 2014 by The Wandering Nomads

“An American taking a five-minute shower uses more water than the average person in a developing country slum uses for an entire day.”

Most of the world bathes bathes out of a bucket, yet before embarking on this trip, I had never done it. I’m spoiled. I come from a place where hot water magically comes pouring out of the faucet everyday without fail. Since I considered my luxurious hot showers normal, I saw bucket showering as somewhat primal and uncomfortable. Now that I consider the bucket my new normal, I think of it as a perfectly good way to stay clean.

Music and Dance With An Inkling of Prayer

Posted on February 8, 2014 by The Wandering Nomads

“My religion is to live and die without regret.”

I joined the children on Tuesday for a special day at their school where they worship the goddess of education. They believe that if they perform this ritual every year it will give them knowledge and help them to become better students. Though it is a worthy thing to strive for, like most Hindu rituals, it has turned into a mindless set of steps that they preform just because their parents did. I have found India and Nepal to be the most and least religious places I have ever visited, exactly for this reason. Everyone, and I mean everyone, has labelled themself with a brand of religion, yet most if them just perform a few rituals and think nothing more of it. When I asked families I have stayed with, predominately Hindus, what god meant to them, or why they perform certain rituals, they are slightly perplexed how I could question it and tell me “that’s just how it is,” or “that’s what Indians/Nepalis believe.” Many of them “believe” in their many gods just because everyone around them does, and, in my opinion, because their culture has programmed them to. Of course, there are worst things than praying to an education goddess, so even if it was a mindless ritual, it was one I didn’t mind participating in.

Cycling Through Hell: India

Posted on February 6, 2014 by The Wandering Nomads

“Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go.”

As I take three or four large gulps from the water jug on the rickety bench I feel that familiar sense of adrenaline, fear, and anger rise up inside of me. When I lower the pitcher I see them, watching me intently as they always do. Indian men.

Though their names may change, to me they are all the same. I feel naked. Their piercing greedy eyes undress me, leaving me vulnerable yet prepared to fight as I toy with the rock in my clenched fist. I have three more in my pocket and pepper spray tucked into my bra. I’m prepared, I have been through this before. In fact, I go through this everyday now. I’m cycling through hell.

A Birthday to Remember

Posted on February 6, 2014 by The Wandering Nomads

“Your 20’s are your ‘selfish’ years. It’s a decade to immerse yourself in every single thing possible. Be selfish with your time, and all the aspects of you. Tinker with shit, travel, explore, love a lot, love a little, and never touch the ground.”

Unlike most Americans who spend their 21st birthday in a bar, I spent mine eating donuts and receiving cute cards and poems from the Nepali children I am currently living with. The quote above, one of my all time favorites, rings very true to why I have chosen to do this trip now rather than after I finish my studies. I believe that travel is the best education, so why not spend my twenties learning, growing, and becoming the best person I can be while experiencing cultures around the world. I don’t drink, I don’t smoke, I’m in bed by nine (and to be honest, normally by eight), I read the BBC every morning, and I would much prefer to go on a run alone than to hang out with my peers. I’m not exactly your typical twenty-one year old to say the least.

Riya: The Nine-Year Old Powerhouse

Posted on February 4, 2014 by The Wandering Nomads

“Her secret of success is that she did it all with passion.”

She asks for extra math problems, she sings and dances as she cleans, and she is always first in her class. Riya, a very small nine year old girl living at Hopeful Home is nothing short of amazing. She was the first one to approach me when I arrived, and I quickly realized that she has the best English of anyone around, even better than her teachers. She is mature and confident, words rarely associated with someone so young, and she is the perfect example of how an organization such as this can give children the opportunity to thrive.

Saturday

Posted on February 3, 2014 by The Wandering Nomads

“Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.”

Saturday is the day off in Nepal. In villages this often means picnics, where families get together to cook, dance, and hang out in a field. Here at Hopeful Home, Saturday is the cleaning, bathing, and washing day, as well as a day for the children to play football and badminton in a nearby field.

Tailor Made

Posted on February 1, 2014 by The Wandering Nomads

“You can make money, you can acquire objects, but the time you are allotted can never be replaced or purchased.”

I have never been into clothes. My favorite place to shop back home is Goodwill which probably shows you that I rarely spend more than ten dollars in a “shopping spree.” Here though I can afford to get clothes tailor made! Nepalis and Indian girls alike wear “suits” which are composed of three parts: the shirt, which is like a dress with slits down the side, pants, and a scarf, all of which match perfectly and look feminine and stylish while remaining comfortable. I was given two of these outfits in India (by a family I stayed with) which have proven to be an absolute blessing as they make me stand out a bit less and the locals love when I wear them. I have decided to get a new dress (no slits, but basically Nepali style) and pants made, and here is how it works.

The Truth Behind The Mask

Posted on February 1, 2014 by The Wandering Nomads

“Cheese… milk’s leap toward immortality.”

I have often seen Asians wearing face masks such as this one and have always assumed they wore them for protection against disease. I have finally realized that the reason they wear them is to protect their lungs against the pollution and dust that unpaved roads and large cities unfortunately host. It seems like all construction or road workers wear a mask, and many motorcyclists and pedestrians either have a mask or a scarf pulled over their mouth or nose. After spending some time in big polluted cities (such as this one), and cycling on dusty unpaved roads, I completely understand the necessity of a funny looking face mask. Just blowing your nose, and finding your snot completely black, should be more than enough proof that the air here is indeed dirty.