The world is too big to tell just one story, and that is the reason why I drifted myself a little outside India on my vacation this year. As I am all for mountains, Nepal was an obvious choice. Nepal is sometimes overlooked by Indian tourists, as it is thought of as an extension of India; but it is not! Nepal is a beautiful and fascinating country, with a lot of history. It is a paradise for travellers who love being outdoors, as Nepal offers some of the best trekking options in the Himalayas. Also, Nepalese people are incredibly friendly and fun-loving people. You try to learn a little bit of Nepali from them, and they will love you for it. Being Indian, it was really easy for me to get with people and situations in Nepal. The country is very safe for solo travellers, and even for women.
The country has more than 30 ethnic groups, with tremendous variations in their culture and dialects. I really loved learning about the culture and language of Nepal during my visit. You can see a drastic difference between life in the cities of Nepal and in the small villages. Kathmandu and Pokhara (modern Nepal) is diverse and is highly influenced by neighbouring countries. A visit to these cities is highly recommended, but do keep in mind that the earthquake of 2015 has affected not only the people, but also the infrastructure and tourism industry here. I heard first-hand stories of both personal and environmental tragedies.
Tourism is one of the solutions for Nepal to get out of the slump, but only when the tourists are also committed to a responsible, helpful and empathetic approach. But still, you can visit the country and enjoy yourself to the fullest. I enjoyed a trek, visited some cultural sites, shopping and hanging out in the lanes of Kathmandu and Pokhara, and found everything I was looking for in a vacation.
PS: Stay tuned for my stories of fun, adventures and various experiences from Nepal in the upcoming stories.