Uma's World

Never Too Late for Everest

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 02:52:00 +0000

Spring is finally here and all thoughts now return to going places, visiting kith and kin, getting ready for the beach and spending as little time indoors as possible. Like most people, my family and I tend to think of the fun we'll have seeing new places and driving long distance to be with friends whom we have not seen in a while or making the annual trip to see relatives whether we want to or not. We participate in the usual warm-weather activities of picnicking, trekking, camping and enjoying the sun since Summer goes fast here in the Northeastern United States. But for some, the dream is bigger - more exalted and ambitious.

Climbing Mt. Everest is a dream for many mountaineers and even for some who just want to do it because "it's there." At the age of seventy-nine, there is someone close and dear to me who is ready to conquer Sagarmatha in the first week of June. This man learned to ski after he turned fifty. He was always willing to try something new without hesitation. And now he has given himself the ultimate task - sitting atop Everest as Tenzing Norkay and Edmund Hillary did more than half a century ago.

Mt. Everest is picturesque, foreboding, breathtaking and there. Once one has conquered Everest, what else is there to surmount? The Sahara? There are only so many challenges on Earth and Everest is the creme de la creme. Can my Dad prevail? He certainly has the heart and the will but are they enough? What about the stamina required to accomplish this daunting task? Will the weather cooperate? Will the gods be with him? Only time will tell.

To learn more about Mr. Shailendra K. Upadhyay's endeavor, log onto www.skeesug.org and get more detailed info. After perusing the articles, you might be interested in visiting Nepal to see (or even climb) Everest and find out all about its magnificence. The grandeur that awaits you in second to none. And you will enjoy Nepal with all its quaint cities and traditions. Spring is here. Go forth and enjoy the little country in whose lap lie the Himalaya - the most spectacular sight you can see without the aid of any telescope.

Travel in These Rough Times

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 14:33:00 +0000

The other day at work someone mentioned that he was off on his vacation for two weeks. The natural question posed to him was, of course, what plans he had and where he planned to go. The person smiled wistfully and replied that he could not afford to go anywhere because of financial conditions and so would stay home and do things around the house. Everyone nodded in agreement and joined in to say that vacations these days meant staying home and relaxing.

A few days later I was reading the Sunday New York Times and looked through the travel section. There were so many vacation packages available to all parts of the world. The Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii and the South Pacific dominated the list of pages. I looked through them and noticed that, though people were in dire straits, the tours and sightseeing offered were not really scaled down in price. Yes, some destinations looked affordable but were they really?

The most helpful hints I found were for local area mini-vacations. If you live in the tri-state area, there are so many sights to see and things to do that you can have a true vacation for a lot less than going to more exotic places. Staying around your environs means you save on plane tickets, hotels, food and taxi/bus/train fares. A family of four could save about $750.00 apiece by visiting sights close to home. Most people who live in the tri-state area have never gone to the Empire State Building or Broadway theaters or the beaches in the surrounding areas, Well, now is your chance though I would not recommend swimming in the ocean during winter.

So what does one do here in the winter besides going into New York City? Not all love or want to partake in the hustle and bustle there. If you are from New Jersey, you can go to Atlantic City or Wildwood (great spot even during winter)or to the Poconos for skiing. All this can fit nicely in your budget. Visiting the various beaches of Jersey is fun even if you cannot bask in the sun. Winter has its own charm at the beach.

A Connecticut resident can avail himself of Mystic where the aquarium is a grand sight. He could go to Foxwoods Resort Casino or Mohegan Sun Casino or a few of the other ones not too far away. Going to see the magnificent mansions in Rhode Island is also a delight. And, of course, there is always the winter sport of skiing. There are lots of things to see and do if you only take a closer look.

New York has the Statue of Liberty, museums galore and the sights I already mentioned above. Central Park is also a bucolic oasis that is quite pleasant to visit when it is cold especially if snow has fallen recently. The world-famous Bronx Zoo and the Central Park Zoo are worth seeing. And, of course, like New Jersey and Connecticut, ski resorts are close enough for frequent visits. There are just so many sights to see and places to visit that a two-week vacation might not be long enough.

Yes, a visit to Tahiti or Honolulu or Puerto Rico is fabulous but these hard times beg for local attractions. Putting off "climbing" the Empire State Building because it happens to be in your backyard or not going to Atlantic City for the same reason is now passe. Now you can go see what's in your backyard and enjoy it. Save the world for later.

(Skiing: This is one of the activities I have not understood and won't try. Why do people pay to slide on snow? I can understand tobogganing when you slide downhill on snow and experience various thrills. But this all free. Why pay to do this while dressed in layers of clothing and inviting falls and accidents? I invariably see a broken leg whenever I had the misfortune to visit ski resorts. Ice skating is fun and economic but skiing? What is the attraction?)

Children & Vacationing

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 14:07:00 +0000

When I worked in Hightstown, New Jersey about two decades ago, I met a couple who had been married ten years but had no children. They both had good, decent-paying jobs and liked to eat out often and travel frequently. Since I come from a culture where the primary reason for marriage is procreation, their status intrigued me. I was not too embarrassed to ask them why they had no offspring as money certainly was not a problem. To this day, I am astounded at their answer that it was because they loved to travel. I was completely flabbergasted then and still am at such an unusual answer.

It seems that going places was their greatest pleasure in life and having children would be a quite an impediment to their favorite activity. When I asked in a puzzled manner as to why children would curtail this, they answered that their independence would be lost. They could no longer pick up and leave any time of the day if they wanted to go to Las Vegas (one of their most frequented haunts) or one of the islands or Florida, etc. Where would they get reliable babysitters at the spur of the moment if they decided at midnight that they wanted to hit Atlantic City? How could they plan for a nice cruise in November when the children would have to be in school? Where would they leave the kids if they wanted to dash off to dine in New York City on a Tuesday night? They could see a myriad of such problems which they said would be insurmountable. Talk about making a mountain out of a molehill. Had they never heard of summer vacations or Spring and Fall breaks?

Before my wife and I had our first child, we used to go places and enjoy the sights. But we NEVER gave a second thought to how our plans would be ruined if we had kids. We never thought having children would curtail our travel or take away from many of the things we wanted to do. In fact, we looked forward to having kids and traveling with them. I have always wanted to go to the Galapagos Islands and will do so while enjoying every moment of it with our kids. Sharing the experience of the "origin of species" islands with family will be the ultimate in fun and excitement. What are Disneyworld, Seaworld, Six Flags Safari (to name a few) without kids? The wonder in their eyes, their squeals of delight and terror when Shamu jumps out at them, building sand castles in the beaches of Nassau are all best seen through children's eyes. Kids a burden? Perish the thought.

We have a long list of travel plans for our enjoyment with our kids. Going home to see the grandparents every two or three years, lying on the beaches of Hawaii or St. John's or Phuket, visiting Utah and Arizona to see Bryce Canyon, the Grand Canyon or Zion Park are just a few of what we aspire to do. Taking pictures while doing all sorts of wild and crazy things and re-hashing those experiences years later will be something we look forward to. The kids an impediment to all these pleasures? Really? We plan to enjoy our Kenyan safari, trekking in Kathmandu Valley and looking for clams on the coast of Maine with our son and daughter.

Years later when I had moved on to another job, I met another couple who had been married even longer and had no kids. The couple gave me almost the exact same answer when I asked them about their "non-procreation." This couple liked golfing above everything else and had no time or money to spend on kids. I still have not been able to fathom the emotions of those two couples. I have heard many valid reasons for couples not having children but an impediment to travel is not only one of the most bizarre but probably the most selfish one yet. I love traveling with my kids and hope to do a lot more before they are able to travel on their own.

Nepal - Nature, History and Architecture

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 17:08:00 +0000

People travel for many different reasons. Vacationing is probably the most common. Yet we also travel because of work, scientific research, to visit family, to get away from it all and to relocate. Vacations are the most fun. You go for the pleasure of seeing new places, eating different foods and seeing sights that are not available locally. When on "holiday," tastes vary. I know a friend who likes to visit Paris, London, Rome and other modern cities for the shopping. Another person I know likes to be "one with nature" and looks for pristine, unadulterated bucolic settings where he can hike, climb rocks or go bird-watching. I prefer nature, history, marvels of engineering (the pyramids, the Taj Mahal, the temples of Nepal, the Coliseum in Rome and places like the Parthenon) and food. After searching far and wide, I have come to the conclusion that Nepal can boast of all these and more.

As far as nature is concerned, Nepal is a nonpareil. It is second to none in its grandeur and beauty with its majestic, world-famous Himalayan range and other idyllic spots which are still virgin and untouched. All you have to do is stand anywhere in Kathmandu, the capital city, and see the grandiose sight of the world's tallest peaks glistening in white reaching up to the sky. Or you can go on a hike to the non-distant hills (in Nepal, anything below 17,00 feet is a hill) and peer out into the distance and see more hills, mountains and valleys. The mist-covered pinnacles make for picturesque post-cards. And breathing the crisp mountain air is a luxury that is free yet priceless. You can never have enough time to vacation in a Shangri-La like this.

Nepal's place in history is secure as one of the two countries the British could not conquer. After gaining control of India, the Brits tried their best to subdue the Nepali people. Not only did they meet resistance from the natives but also had to contain with the rugged terrain which was not overly friendly to the Redcoats. The soldiers could not march up in columns or single-file because they had to climb sheer cliffs and the preponderance of rocks and nettles all over the hills. They did give up finally after these futile attempts and instead offered an olive branch of friendship.

Nepal also happens to be the only official Hindu country in the world. Though most people in the world equate Hinduism with India, it is practiced with more fervor in Nepal. After all, India has the second largest Muslim population in the world as well as a large contingent of Christians. Nepal teems with temples. You cannot go far in any city without encountering a pagoda temple or place of worship which are always occupied. Many of these temples are more than a few hundred years old with some over 1500 years old. And the architecture is magnificent - all the carvings, drawings and eroticism displayed on the pillars are unmatched. Tourists are sometimes shocked to see eroticism and sexual acts displayed on temple beams. You have to remember that the Kama Sutra is a basic part of our culture. As for the longevity of these structures, people don't realize that unlike the pyramids which are mostly rock and sand, temples are mainly wood. For wood to survive in all types of weather for so long must give pause to those who make pressure-treated lumber which still needs maintaining every few years. S0 is the technology of today (bridges, skyscrapers) really better than the old days? The temples with their majestic roofs, pillars and doorways have survived so long without giving way to age and weight. Could it be that God does indeed live there?

When you consider that in Nepal you can experience peace and tranquility, the grandeur of nature and history with architectural splendor, what more could you want? Nepal is still relatively cheap and is a place where you do get your money's worth. And don't forget Nepali cuisine. Though neighboring India and China, its cuisine is dissimilar. Yes, there are influences of Indian cooking and some Chinese flavors but what is consumed by the Nepali is quite unique. Maseura, titaura, gundruk, sinki and jaulo are a few dishes you cannot get elsewhere. There is a special fruit which I have not been able to find elsewhere in the world - not even in India. It's a sour fruit which grows on trees that tower over fifty feet and is good for making achaar. Maybe some botanists (plat biologists they are called these days, I think) can go to Nepal and identify this fruit. So go, go to Nepal and enjoy. Just don't go there for shopping unless it is for handmade goods, carpets or religious artifacts.

Hippies Met in Nepal and the US

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 14:54:00 +0000

Although there were a lot of Hippies when I was a student growing up in Nepal, I never knew any of them personally. Although intrigued with these foreigners who had come to Nepal with the barest of worldly possessions, we never befriended anyone thinking of the phenomenon as a fad that would soon disappear. So, when I came to the United States, every American who told me that he/she had been to Nepal got the third degree from me. I wanted to know under what circumstances they had been there. I usually got three types of answers but never the one I wanted.

The most common answer was that the person had visited Nepal as a tourist. This was the most prevalent response. The second type of respondent said he had been there as a Peace Corps volunteer. I had met many of the volunteers and had known a few. We had a Biology teacher at my school who was a Peace Corps volunteer from Cleveland. The last type of reply was from diplomats and kin of diplomats. Though I "searched" far and wide, these three types were typical of people I met.

The tourists raved about Nepal's beauty and relatively inexpensive lodgings, cuisine, and gifts they had bought. They all had got their money's worth and were quite content. The diplomats just thought of Nepal as another stopover in their career though most did appreciate the peace and bucolic nature of the country. The Peace Corps volunteers were most vocal in their praise of my country. They regaled me with all sorts of stories and outlined many adventures that befell them in their two-year stay. They were so thrilled to have been there and enjoyed themselves immensely especially since their stay was paid for. But I still had to find one Hippie who had been there. Now where does one look for a Hippie in New York?

It was almost 25 years later while working in Brooklyn that I met a co-worker who had been all over the world in his Hippie phase and had spent two whole years in Nepal. He described the nation as the most beautiful and tranquil place on earth and would not have left if not for family matters. He mentioned shopping in Asan, picnicking in Godavari and living in the shadows of Swayambhunath. He talked about walking all over Kathmandu because of limited funds and the unreliability of the Sajha buses that only went to certain places. He said his greatest fear was the mangy curs that roamed the streets of Kathmandu and barked fiercely at him and his companions when they came back from their late night forays. Although he lived in a Buddhist monastery, he had converted to Hinduism in his travels through India and was a devout believer.

Amazing, isn't it? When I was assiduously looking for Hippies who had been to Nepal, I did not find one. Twenty-five years later, when I had forgotten about my quest, I met a bona fide person who had traveled all over the world with prolonged stays in Nepal and India. He also mentioned having spent two days in the gutters of Karachi sick from malaria. Now he was living in New York as a sedate husband and father. Was this a change for the better? I guess even world-roaming Hippies have to grow up.

The Hippies and eBay

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 00:02:00 +0000

In the late 1960's and early 1970's, Kathmandu, Nepal was known as the Hippie capital of the world. There seemed to be more of these flower children than natives. Their presence was tolerated because they were basically innocuous and they brought tourist revenues. It was only when the Hippies started misbehaving by camping out everywhere, walking around nude, and getting high on marijuana did the government of Nepal take a stricter attitude towards them. My father was one of the government officials whose job it became to reduce the Hippie population soon. They were then carted off by the truckful to the Indian border and dumped in Raxaul. My Dad was not very happy at this since he genuinely liked the Hippies and their peaceful way of life.

Marijuana grew freely all over Nepal (and still does) but was not known to most Nepali as a plant that got you "high." The Hippies taught us that. So it was then that most teenagers and young professionals learned about the wonder of this plant. Marijuana was harvested widely and was smoked at all young peoples' gathering. It was a craze that lasted for a few years. When the Hippies left, the use of marijuana also also miraculously declined. Many still smoked it but its popularity had reached its zenith around 1972. Why am I now discussing marijuana and the Hippies? An what is their relation to eBay?

When I went back home about four years ago, I noticed some familiar-looking plants growing aplenty all around. At my brother's place, they were about ten feet tall and flourished all over the yard. When I visited my in-laws, the same phenomenon was re-visited. This same scenario occurred everywhere I went whether it was to a friend's house or to my relatives' place. Cannabis sativa was prevalent all over and grew in batches as far as the eye could see. It was then that I had a wild and crazy thought which was nipped in the bud by friends and family. The idea was fun while it lasted but reality then sank in.

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What was my crazy idea? I had been a member of eBay since 2001 and had sold lots of Nepali goods such as antiques, thankas and Nepali paper paintings. Why not then sell a map to the many marijuana locations all over Kathmandu? Would eBay shoot down this idea? Would the DEA object and consider me a threat? How could they? After all, I was sending all the smokers away from the US to Nepal. I could put up maps of various sites in different listings on eBay and reap the benefits (no pun intended!). But, alas, I am not a good businessman and will never be one. The only idea I had for "harvesting" money was pooh-poohed as a stupid, illegal scheme that could get me jailed. Ah, the best laid plans of mice and men....

Yak & Yeti

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 02:50:00 +0000

In the 1960's, a new hotel/restaurant sprang up in Kathmandu called the Yak & Yeti. Most of us thought of it as unusual since we had never heard of any other establishment with such an unusual name. We used to wonder what caused the owner to pick such an odd name for his venture. Only after we delved into this a little further did we realize the significance of the nomenclature. The Yak is a cow-like animal (chauri gai) that inhabits the foothills of the Himalayan ranges and the Yeti is , of course, Nepal's own Bigfoot.

The Yeti's legend is as old as the Loch Ness monster's and older than the the Sasquatch's. Known as the Yeti in Nepal, it is commonly referred to as the Abominable Snowman in English. Why abominable? Probably because anything mysterious and gigantic must be none too pleasant. No person has any definite proof it exists (either via photographs or sighting) but the legend remains strong. The Yeti is there and prowls the mountains. Only the most incredulous believe it is a fairy tale. It remains an integral part of Himalayan legend that won't die. I have been asked many times if I have seen it or believe in it. This is not unlike the question about climbing Mt. Everest in one of my previous articles.

The yak, on the other hand, is an animal that inhabits the Himalayan ranges in Nepal and is also found in Tibet and faraway Mongolia. The Tibetans and Sherpas use its milk to make different products like butter and chhurpi. The yak is a bovine animal not unlike the cow. The main difference is that the hair on yaks is extremely long to protect it from the freezing cold. The yak is not found at lower attitudes. The yak survives where cows cannot and vice versa. Most yaks are domesticated but wild yaks still flourish.

The tasty, edible chhurpi that is made from yak milk is a dried smoked cheese product that is extremely hard but tasty. Though chhurpis are sometimes made soft, they don't have the same flavor and aroma. When eating hard chhurpi, it is best to let it remain in your mouth and let your saliva work on softening it rather than trying to chew on it. The chhurpi is so hard I have known friends to lose their teeth and get lasting pains in their jaws while attempting to chew on it. If left in the mouth long enough, the chhurpi softens slowly and the refreshing taste is quite savory. Many (foreigners and most people with a strong olfactory sense) cannot stomach the taste of the chhurpi because most have a strong odor which people find unappetizing. We always bring back a whole bagful when we go home for a visit. The chhurpi like the betel nut is the dentist's best friend - it can bring them clients galore.

So now that the yak and Yeti have been revealed to be an integral part of Nepali culture and folklore, I wonder how many visitors will venture to know more about them. The chhurpi is available all over Kathmandu but you must go further north to see the yak (in its original habitat). Maybe the people at the Yak & Yeti can help. After all, it would be good for their business. And they might even answer questions on the naming of their establishment.

Hinduism & Buddhism

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 02:11:00 +0000

I saw a show about India the other day on PBS. It was part of a longer series of about five episodes. India's culture, history and religions were the main topics of discussion. Hinduism was, of course, the most discussed with Buddhism also quite prominently featured. Gautam Buddha was a Hindu prince, who by turning away from his opulence and life of ease and going into meditation started Buddhism, was featured and discussed at length. Every time a documentary about Hinduism is produced or an article is written about it, Nepal is very seldom mentioned. So it is not surprising that there were a few misnomers and incomplete bits of information.

First, the host of the show kept mentioning India's Hindu culture and how old it was. No mention was made that the same religion furnished alongside in Nepal . The same deities worshiped in India are revered in Nepal. In fact, Nepal is the only recognized Hindu nation. Though the show was about India, a few bits of info on Nepal and the Hindus there would not have detracted from the show. On the contrary, it would have been enhanced because of the new vistas which would have opened up. Nepal and India do border each other with the latter completely hugging Nepal on the southern and western boundaries.

Second, although Siddhartha (another name for the Buddha) went to India and stayed there meditating, he was actually a Nepali born in the Lumbini region of southern Nepal. He was Nepali by birth. Almost every article I have read on this subject and every documentary I have watched on the same fail to mention this. Many still believe that Buddha was from India. You can verify his birthright by examining the United Nations records during Secretary-General U Thant's time. U Thant, a devout Buddhist, wanted to develop and recognize Lumbini as a shrine for Buddhists all over the world. He fervently believed in this cause and had even made a few visits to Lumbini during and after his tenure as United Nations chief.

We now come to the crucial question: Does it really matter what Buddha's origin was? The answer is that it matters a great deal. People take pride in various things - patriotism, ethnicity, race, color and a myriad of lesser "connections." People are proud to have gone to the same school as a famous person. Living in Hoboken, New Jersey is a source of pride to many who revere Frank Sinatra. Being of Italian heritage makes many adopt the Italian soccer team as their own during the FIFA World Cup. So why should we Nepali not be able to "connect" with Buddha? Why should we not relish the fact he was one of us? Buddha was born in Lumbini, Nepal and will always be a Nepali.

Mt. Everest

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 16:07:00 +0000

Ah, Mt. Everest. The name conjures up such diverse sentiments - forlorn, chilly, lofty, majestic, grandiose, foreboding and romantic? Of course in Nepali and Tibetan (countries on the two sides of this unparalleled wonder of the world), it is know as Sagarmatha (top of the world) and Chomolongma. But, since Sir George Everest "discovered" it, his name has been synonymous with it - his eponym. So it's not strange for people from that region to be asked questions which seem quite incredulous concerning Everest.

When I came here as a student early in the 1970's and introduced myself as Nepali (yes, we are Nepali not Nepalese), I was invariably inundated with questions about Everest and marijuana. Of course, I am talking about those worldly enough to know about the mountain and also to know about the Hippie movement. (The Hippie movement will be discussed in next day or so in my next blog). Questions about Everest ranged from the sublime ("Have you seen it? Is it really that awe-inspiring?") to the ridiculous ("How many times have you climbed it?").

I used to go into a blase mode since it was not as awe-inspiring to me having seen it a few hundred times back home. I only understood the significance of the question when I visited Denver a few years later and looked at the Rockies with eyes bulging and stood there breathless. My Aunt asked me why I was so enthralled since I had been seeing the same sight (huger and closer) for almost all my life. This brought me down to earth in a hurry and I had to admit that familiarity does breed contempt. I then realized that I had not really seen the panoramic beauty of this gorgeous titan because it was an everyday sighting. Now I answer questions differently.

Yes, Mt Everest is every bit as majestic and breathtaking as reported. It is definitely nature's greatest gift to mankind. And it is something for any self-respecting poet or travel writer to know and write about. It has to be seen to be believed. To appreciate its full grandeur, one must see it live and close up. When I was home a couple of years back, I made it a point to see it again because I knew not when I might get the chance.

As for the climbing of Everest, I have not climbed it or attempted to do so. Nor do I have any ambition to do so. The best I can hope for is to have my ashes sprinkled at its base. But I am still taken aback at the thought that people believed climbing Sagarmatha was like driving up Mt. Washinton in New Hampshire and getting a bumper sticker which stated as much. I have climbed Mt. Rainier in Washington State (about 300 feet up). Does that count?

Nepali Cooking: Most used spice

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 06:27:00 +0000

Just as oil is essential to almost any kind of cooking, there is one spice that is so prevalent in basic Nepali cooking that no household is complete without it. It is used in cooking vegetables, meats, daal and many other foods. It is said to have curative and disease-resisting powers. It is also used for making Nepali pickles especially cauliflower and radish (moola). But beware spilling it or wearing light colored clothes when using it. This spice is so potent that it leaves permanent stains on clothes and furniture. Most Nepali kitchens have to be scrubbed quickly and thoroughly if one wants to remove its stain. Why then is this spice so commonly used? Because if not used, foods do not have the same flavor and taste. What then is this must-have spice which in the hands of children or careless cooks causes so much havoc? It's the simple spice we call "besar" - turmeric in English. One can never get the essence of Nepali food unless besar is added. Just be VERY careful with its use - I have yellow stains on my kitchen counter and kitchen floor to prove it.

Hot and Cold in Nepal

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 00:07:00 +0000

When I first came to this country eons ago and told people I was from Nepal, I usually got two responses. The first one was more common and dealt exclusively with who, what or where Nepal was. The second was a common query from people who knew just enough about Nepal to be dangerous (A little knowledge.....). These people would always say how cold out it must be there specially in the winter. I would then have to go into detailed explanations about the "cold" in Nepal.

When I came to the US, it was at night in the month of December and the weather was extremely cold. I did not realize any place could be this cold. Next morning, when I woke up and saw the sun shining brightly, I thought that this was more like it. I walked out of the apartment in short sleeves and almost froze on the spot. I rushed back in and was taken to task by the doorman fro going out "without clothes." When I protested that the sun was out, he looked at me in a puzzled manner and said, "Yes, it's ten in the morning but still as cold as the Arctic." When I ventured to explain that the sun was out and it should have been warmer, he replied that the temperature would stay low because it was winter. Then it dawned on me that in the eastern and northern United States, the sun was only for lighting purposes and not for heating - winter time, of course. What a strange phenomenon! The sun here was used only as a big torch during the winter - helping people see their way about. I then had to recount to all those "cold" queries about Nepal by explaining that back home the sun not only gave light but also heat.

Most people who knew something about Nepal did so mainly because of Mt. Everest and the Himalayas(?) - please read my last article on this subject. Ergo, almost all of them thought that Nepal was another Antarctica, another frozen wasteland of snow and ice. I then had to explain in detail that Nepal bordered China and India. The northern part (Chinese border) was cold most of the time but warm during the summer. The "middle" part of the country was hot during Spring and Summer and also Fall and Winter when the sun came out. The southern part of the country that bordered India was HOT most of the year and still quite warm during the daytime in the winter months. This polemic left most baffled. They could not believe that a person could walk around in tees and shorts after about ten in the morning in Kathmandu. It was like my Russian acquaintance from Vladivostok who scoffed at people who used to speak of Siberia as the barren wasteland of chills and cold. The common retort seemed to be that it was what they had read from most dissidents ("exiled" writers). This innocent reply infuriated him and sent him into apoplectic fits.

So is Nepal COLD? That depends very much when you go there and which part of the country you go to. For those not up on your latitude and longitude, let me remind one and all that the latitude of Nepal is the same as that of the northern part of Florida. Is Florida a snowy wasteland? You tell me.

Himal and Himalayas and Sahara Desert

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 21:38:00 +0000

It always intrigues (irritates? frustrates?) me to hear the word Himalayas or the phrase Himalayan Mountain range. Not many realize or care that both are redundant, if not outright wrong. People have been snickered at, castigated and looked upon as unsophisticated for talking about the Sahara Desert. Since Sahara means desert, the use of both words is quite uncalled for. So what about the Himalayas/Himalayan Mountains? The Nepali (not Nepalese, please!!) word for mountain is himal. i.e., himal is one mountain. When himal is used to describe more than one, the Nepali word is himalaya - more than one. So why do the people in the west say Himalayas without fail? Why has the plural Nepali himalaya been Anglicized as the redundant Himalayas? Who says "mountainses"? If Himalayas is acceptable in English, what's next?

So what about Himalayan ranges? This is exactly like saying the Sahara desert. The Himalayan mountains just means the mountain mountains. If people only referred to it as the Himalayan ranges, that would be okay. So let's get rid of this redundancy. Let's go on travel sites, news channels and Jeopardy and proclaim loudly that there are no "Himalayas" but just Himalaya and no Himalayan Mountains but only the Himalayan range.

Of course, in the US, that's easier said than done. I remember that it has been eons since one bright journalist mentioned the Miami Dolphins as the "Fish" and the term is used by every sports writer, broadcaster and fan. The dolphin is a mammal and not a fish. But go tell that to the Marines! I despair very much for my Himalayan ranges - William Safire, where are you when we need you?

Of course, you may wonder whether this makes a difference. What's wrong with Sahara desert or Himalayan mountains? After all, a scribe asked the question a few hundred years ago. "What's in a name?" Well, is there a problem with the Anglicized nomenclature? I feel strongly that it is a big mistake. How do you feel?

Travel to Less Known Places

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:53:00 +0000

Quaint, out-of-the-way, exotic vacation destinations are less so now in the age of the Internet and worldwide TV. What once used to be hidden and remote is now ordinary - almost every tourist brochure has these sites listed. But there are still some mysterious spots which might not yet be publicized. There you may be able to visit in peace and avoid the usual crowds.

Sometimes people do not go there because of the language barrier. At other times, it is the inconvenience of the travel itself. Maybe there are no motorized means of transportation or it is inaccessible except by foot. Most travelers are so used to modern everyday conveniences that they forego any place where a little walking is required. The lack of western food and fast food chains also cause unease among many. Modern plumbing is a must for many and potable water is not always easy to come by. All in all, there are a myriad of things which can cause travelers uneasiness and a slight reluctance to go to more adventurous places.

When Nepal was opened to tourism in the 1950's, it was a remote, exotic hideaway. But, when the Hippies invaded Kathmandu Valley, the world opened its eyes and saw the country. Most people went only to Kathmandu because that was Nepal. A tiny handful of hardy explorers ventured outside the valley. Nowadays these wayfarers are everywhere. Yet there are still places that by large unexplored. To see these idyllic spots requires a lot of foot travel. So, if you are not inclined to be a true biped, stick to Kathmandu.

Trekking and hiking among the foothills of the Himalayas (redundant - will be explained later) is quite the adventure because of the proximity to the greatest mountain range in the world. You will have to deal with all of the inconveniences mentioned above must be able to put up with them for quite a while. But people who have been there swear by it. Breathtaking, incredible, awe-inspiring are but a few of the words frequently used. So go ahead and plan a future date for this uncommon vacation.

In Guyana, South America lies one of the greatest waterfalls (Kaieteur Falls) in the world. The Guyanese maintain it's the world's largest - bigger and better than Angel Falls, Victoria Falls or Niagara Falls. But not too many people seem to know it. Visit Guyana and see for yourself what the fuss is all about.

In Africa, Egypt, Kenya and South Africa seem to be popular destinations for most. But what about Algiers? People read about it but do not actually go there. The only people who mention that city are either diplomats or Algerians. I have yet to meet an American who has been there.

There are many more places in the world that are wondrous but relatively unknown. Do you know of any such resort, city or country? Tell the readers about them and maybe they won't remain anonymous much longer.

Perspectives from Uma and Kin

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 08:00:00 +0000

Since this is my first blog, I have so many topics worth sharing that I am not sure which subject to start with. President-elect Obama's inaugural is a topic everyone is discussing. Bin Laden is still in the news. Bank and big business failures are also subjects much bandied about. The economic situation in the United States and worldwide is so depressing that it also is very prevalent in papers all over the world. What is a sane person to do when only glum and foreboding news is to be had?

Well, people can always turn to sports (the Giants are still in it!!) or travel (Hawaii, the Caribbean and Tahiti are places I would like to visit often) or be happy that he/she still has a job when every other person seems to be unemployed. But of all the choices a person has for getting away from all these unpleasant subjects, travel is most preferable. When a person travels, all cares are left behind. People are usually too engrossed in their travel plans or too worried about their luggage or itinerary to be thinking about anything else. And, if they are like me, I make it a point to eschew newspapers and TV news while enjoying my vacation. Of course, I come back to earth when I return home. But that fleeting moment (days, weeks or months), I do enjoy immensely.

How do you feel about travel as a panacea for depression? Does it really ameliorate the angst and unpleasantness a person feels or is it just a temporary form of escape? Let me know so we can compare notes.

My next blog will deal with different places I would like to visit - exotic, quaint places that are not the usual travel destinations. I will take a look at the different languages, culture and people we might meet. You might be surprised at the languages spoken in various parts of the world. So to all, a vicarious bon voyage till we "meet" again.