DOMESTIC TOUR TOWARDS THE EAST

28^th December, 2016

Taking some time out from our busy life and utilizing the summer vacation, I and my friend decided to explore the nature. To escape the heat of the city, our choice this time was Switzerland of Nepal—Jiri and the vicinities.

At 7:30 a.m. on 8^th June 2016, we headed towards Jiri in a micro van from Ratnapark. Passing through Bhaktapur, Kavrepalanchowk and Sindhupalchowk of Arniko Highway, we came across the untraveled land. We reached Khadichour. Here, the way was blocked at several places due to fresh landslides. The road was cleared after a while and we continued travelling. We crossed Khari Dhunga (Slate hills) and Mude (dried cheese hung in the shops) and reached Charikot at 1:30 p.m. Then we had our lunch (rice, gundruk, dal, chicken curry, saag, achaar, ghiraula curry and fried potato) in a nearby hotel.

After lunch, we travelled through Namdu, Kabre, Mainapokhari and finally reached Jiri at 4 p.m. We paid Rs. 700/person for the bus fare.

On reaching Jiri bazaar, we kept our luggage in Annapurna Hotel and Lodge which was located just in front of the bus stop and had been recommended by the driver of our microbus. The room charge per night was Rs. 400. After having a cup of milk tea, we came outside the hotel to look at different places in the evening. In the walking distance remained Jiri Hospital and Jiri Animal Development Farm. We clicked snaps and noticed that the green trees seemed somewhat different from the trees we had seen till now. We inquired in a few hotels about the accommodation and the facilities, went to Bouddha Stupa and bought cheese of Chounri.

After about an hour of roaming around, we returned back to the hotel. We could feel the chilly weather of Jiri then. We could not believe we were wrapping ourselves in warm clothes in the month of June. Our warm dinner was ready at 8:30 p.m. It had rice, toriko saag, kauli curry, dal and achaar. Food was delicious. There was no TV or wi-fi facility. Tired as we were, we slept early.

Next day was a Nepal bandh. As we could not travel to Charikot, our plan towards Kalinchowk was cancelled. The only option was to enjoy Jiri for one more day. It had rained the previous night. So the weather could be well imagined. After a cup of black tea, we headed towards Jireswor Mahadev Temple at 7:45 a.m. It was an adventure. We had difficulty locating the place and had climbed through the wrong route instead. However, on inquiring the locals, we found out that the correct way was through the very quiet forest. With our hearts in our mouths, we moved ahead. No passers-by could be seen. On reaching closer, we could hear some human voices. Scared to death, still we moved ahead. Finally, on reaching the destination at 8:30 a.m., we could see the temple in the cave of the hill. Some visitors had reached before us. After a brief conversation, we found them polite people who, like us, had come from Kathmandu to visit Jiri.

The temple resembled Siddha Gufa of Bandipur, Tanahun. We clicked photographs and enjoyed the beauty of the environment. We walked back slowly and met the visitors again. Conversing with them, we came to know that the trees in Jiri were different. They had been brought from Switzerland by Swiss a long time ago. We kept on walking together. They were kind enough to offer us a lift in their car till the hotel. Morning meal was ready when we reached there. Rice, Swiss saag, dal, lapsi and karela pickles—all were very tasty. We were thinking to rest for a while but suddenly fell asleep. It was 2 p.m. when we woke up.

As there was not much we could do on that day, we went to the Gumba behind our hotel. On reaching there climbing the steps, we came to know that the Gumba had been destroyed by the earthquake one year ago. However, we spent some time there and observed the bazaar from the height and headed down. With sel and tea of the bazaar shop, we watched the world passing by. As it was already late evening, we returned back to the hotel. Rested a bit and had dinner. Food in this hotel was awesome and the family showed good hospitality. Looking forward to the next morning, we slept.

On 10^th June, we packed, had oats and milk, and caught the 4^th bus for Charikot at around 8 a.m. We let go other 3 buses because we wanted seats. Bidding farewell to Jiri, we enjoyed the landscapes from the bus—especially the trees which beautified and separated those hills from the other hills. Local people and some school children boarded the bus. People used to get in and get off the bus. It was more like a local bus. The kids seemed very sweet but they were slightly different from the kids I had seen in the city. They showed maturity in the way they spoke. The bus speed was quite high and not child-friendly. However, the bus kept on moving in the same speed.

The bus stopped at Tama Koshi for some time. It headed Charikot and reached there at 11:15 a.m. Bus fare was Rs. 180/person. The weather was warm. We got into Laxmi Hotel at the heart of Charikot bazaar as recommended by our friend and kept our stuffs there. Then we went to Charighyang Gumba at 10 minutes’ walking distance which again had fallen prey to the quake. Nothing remained there. We returned back to the hotel and had our meal (rice, dal and curry) and became fresh. Also, we were somewhat relieved to get a better room as compared to the room in Jiri. The rate was, however, double.

It was time to explore the old city. We headed towards the northern end of Charikot bazaar. We found many offices there, also a Pashupati temple and a big open ground where Bhimeshwor Mela takes place. The local said that a song from an old Nepali movie ‘Ke Ghar Ke Dera’ had been shot there. We had two cups of tea and a doughnut at a roadside cafe as we watched the world of Charikot bazaar from the terrace. As our friend had been waiting for us, we returned back to the hotel and had a nice thukpa. After having an extra sweet coffee in another roadside cafe, our friend left for Dolakha and we returned back to the hotel and rested for a while. 

After about an hour, we planned to go to the other side of the bazaar. Heading downwards through the slope, we enjoyed the view of lovely village and clicked ourselves until the dusk. Then we returned back to the bazaar and walked eastwards slowly. We were looking at the vegetable market when suddenly the marvelous view of mountain ranges caught our eyes. As we did not want to miss this chance, we hurried towards the terrace of the hotel in the 6^th floor. The sun setting over the Himalayan range was spellbinding. The golden sparkle over the white mountains was a breathtaking scene. After enjoying this stunning beauty for some time along with photographs, we headed back to the room and rested. We had roti, dal and dahi for dinner. Watched TV and slept.

After checkout in the hotel, we set out for Dolakha Bhimsen at 6 a.m. Morning at Charikot was warmer than morning at Jiri. We reached the temple after walking for about an hour through the well-paved road. A lot of damage had occurred to the place due to the quake. Our local friend informed us ‘do’ meant stone and ‘lakha’ meant town. As the name suggested, the town—the houses and the pavements—were made up of stones. The friend took us for a jungle walk, spoke about the history and myths of the town, and showed us different tourist spots which included cafe, cave, children’s park and love park (all under construction). There were other picnic spots, ponds, temples undergoing reconstruction due to the quake damage. A cozy cafe, also called ‘Friends’ Cafe’ was a lovely place to be at. The place was a tiny cottage but provided all types of cuisine any tourist wanted. It was owned by a local but a trained cook who spoke like an Englishman. We had waffle and coffee, awesome.

Our lunch was in Dolakha bus stop. Rice, dal and local chicken curry—very delicious. We saw a local hospital too which was nearby. The bus towards Kathmandu was already at the stop. Thanking our friend for the hospitality, we occupied our seats in the bus.  The bus fare was Rs. 400/person. It moved at 1:30 p.m. The bus reached at Charikot. We got off to pick up our luggage from the hotel and the bus moved from there at 2 p.m.

Enjoying the sightseeing through the way, bidding farewell to the lovely Dolakha, we reached Lamosanghu and Bahrabise which welcomed us with a warm weather towards Kathmandu where we reached at 7 in the evening.

Note: As both Jiri and Dolakha had been badly affected quake-hit areas, we could see people busy most of the time with reconstruction.

We travelled in the budget of Rs. 3000/person and also our expenses had lessened due to the local friend. 

ONCE IN 365 DAYS !!!!

3^rd April, 2016

This was an unusual gathering of about hundred staffs of the place where I work in. Unusual in the sense, it was informal which is rare in case of this institution. Informality is about being free, with discipline. This aspect is marvelous in itself. So most of us decided to participate and it turned out to be a worthy decision.

Although not common these days, the morning was lovely and sunny when we set out. Squeezing ourselves in 4 buses, we headed towards Sukute, Sindhupalchowk on 31^st March at 8 am from Koteshwor. The first bus consisting of catering crew and sportspersons had started early than the rest. The lovely potato saplings over the fields could be seen from the window. The greenery of the spring season took our breaths away. While reaching closer to the beach, the magnificent view of the smooth green Koshi below the green hills from the bus took us closer to the lap of nature. It took 2 and ½ hours to reach Bhotekoshi. Those hours passed in a blink of an eye because of dancing fun inside the bus. The bus only stopped twice for breaks and fresh air.

Once we reached, we could see that tents had been fastened and the breakfast was being readied.  All started dancing, clicking photographs in and beside the river. After relishing our sandwich, momo, achaar and tea, we were again back to the dance and clicks. Next savory items were fried prawn and spicy peanuts. However, they could not stop us long from going to the dancing floor again.

While most people were busy dancing, we could see the catering crew making their best effort to satisfy us and the sports people were arranging games. Some were helping them fix things. Some had begun playing volleyball already. The drinks were served too and everyone enjoyed on their own way.   

Hitting the cans was one of the games where many tried to hit the target but missed. Proud to say that a female energy won here. ‘Tug of War’ was the next one where most participated including me. The rope was tugged thrice –male energy versus female energy. I pulled the rope with all energy I had along with the group and fell down on the beach. The male energy won. I did not give up and put all my effort once again. This time not only did I fall down, but also ended up with a cut and a swollen elbow. Women power lost again. I could not try then after due to pain. Obviously, the male energy proved victorious.  

I grabbed a piece of water melon and quenched my thirst. Somebody suggested putting some water on my bruise which I did by running to the river and soaking my elbow in it. Not sure how it helped. I had some old dancing numbers in my mobile which I could hear being played while returning back to the dance floor. ‘Boom!…boom!…boom!…boom!…!!!!’ I joined the floor and moved on my own way. Dancing and the fun moods of all were on the way to boom too. ‘Brazil!!!....’ was the next one.

The boss of the institution who had been quiet all these hours was requested to dance too to which he agreed. We were too pleased and glad that he did not deny. I was excited about this scenario and was dancing till sweaty. (I would like to call it the peak of the day.) I needed some rest. So left the floor and grabbed a chair.

After about a minute or two, all of a sudden, an unexpected storm blew. The wind was so strong that the tent, chairs, polls and speaker had fallen down. Beach sand hit us on our faces and we dropped down scared. It kept going on for about 5 minutes. Not sure what to do, we just waited and tried to sort out the damaged things. But to worsen the matter further, it began to rain heavily. We had to be safe now. Some of us ran to the shelter of bus and some to the tent still in place where food was being prepared. The rain lasted for about 15 minutes.

On returning back to the beach, we could see things getting back to normal and the dances had resumed. It must have been around 2 o’clock then. It was time for the main course of the day. Relished the heavy lunch, not to mention the juju dhau (special yogurt of Bhaktapur) which I grabbed extra. Clicking again the final moments in the surroundings of Sukute beach, enjoying the beauty of Bhotekoshi River and Sindhu district, we left the place at 4 pm.    

Recollecting the event, the informal disciplined gathering was an awesome experience. Having to deal with the emotional complications and having to choose between them and the expressions through dance was another part, which was quite challenging. However, the fun had been great. Once in 365 days! Once in a lifetime!

अभिव्यक्ति

मेरो प्रेम

मेरो अधीनमा रहेन अब

यो हाम्रो भयो ।

स्वतन्त्रता मेरै थियो 

अभिव्यक्ति मेरै थियो

निर्णय त्यो मेरै थियो

फगत मेरै थियो

अनायासै त्यसमा तिमी

मुछिन पुग्यौ ।

यो विचारविहिन अवस्था

मस्तिष्कशून्यता

र बेजोड भावनाका भेल

यो सन्चो नभएको क्षण 

वा धेरै सन्चो भएको पल

अभिव्यक्तिका उपजहरु ।

सहि थियो वा गलत

सहि थिएँ कि गलत

मायाको अदालतकै जिम्मा भो

कुनै दिन

सायद छिट्टै 

वा कालान्तरमा 

न्यायको ढोका

कसो नखुल्ला .

RISING IN LOVE

Rising in love, a term less popular than falling in love. Is it better than the latter? What exactly is the former?

Falling in love is quite common among us.  All of us do fall in love in our lives, at one time or the other. But knowing that this is not our cup of tea is the point from where we start rising in love. It’s a decision. It’s a choice.

Loving someone is about investment. Investment of time. Falling in it is about investment with expectations. As the lines from ‘The Little Prince’ go “It is the time you spent on your rose that makes your rose so important.” When enough is spent, we tend to form a special bond with the rose and feel its importance. Here, investing involves most of our time occupied with the thoughts of the other person such as—thinking what the person might be doing now, whether or not the person is fine, if there are any problems bothering the person, how we could help ease out the person’s discomfort. Some other thoughts –Is the person too thinking about me? When will we be together and live happily?

But when the investment does not yield the outcome that we expected or does give an unexpected result, we feel at a loss. This loss might lead to complications. However, it depends upon how we handle this loss.

On the other hand, rising in love is about investing, but without expectations. Here, we needn’t think about possessing the other person or think what/where/how/why of the other person. These questions are not necessary. The only aim is to give to that person. The person might/mightn’t take what we give but that does not make us happy or sad. Out duty becomes only to give. The act of giving without expecting anything in return leads to satisfaction and gives peace of mind. No matter how the other person responds, our aim of giving to the fullest continues till the moment we are able to. As there is no expectation, there is no pain to receive. No sufferings. Being able to give and only give is a moment of bliss. No expectations –no worries about profit or loss. It’s solely about doing out duty no matter what happens—the duty to give. 

The abovementioned idea is personal—a balanced approach towards how love can be beautified. Read somewhere “Happiness is the ratio between what we expect and what we get.” So very true. Let’s not expect and let’s be happy. Let’s rise in love. Love is indeed beautiful.