Monthly Archives: July 2012

Nepal is similar to India in many ways… but poorer, with fewer natural resources and a more fragmented government. That doesn’t bode well for toilets. However, as your dedicated reporter on the bathroom beat, I fearlessly peered behind closed doors. … Continue reading →

There are stray dogs all over Nepal. They lounge around like they own the place. But when a dozen donkeys carrying heavy supplies come barreling down the street, the dogs have to give way. Don’t they?

We’re miles from anywhere, the rocky Everest trail stretching out in front of us (and behind us). We’re hot… and cold… and achy… and sleepy. We have only what we carried in, plus what arrived on an animal’s back or a … Continue reading →

In the past couple months, we’ve seen people carrying lunches, firewood, and even file cabinets on their heads. But we’ve never tried it ourselves. Until now.

We have beheld the Roof of the World, but our journey isn’t over yet.

  We’ve made it this far, despite dizzying altitude and oppressive cold. It’s time to push toward Tengboche Monastery and hope for a glimpse of the tallest peak in the world.  

After a successful landing at the world’s most dangerous airport, it’s time to hit the Everest trail.

In Nepal, Mt. Everest stares out at you from every bookstore and postcard shop- there’s even an Everest brand of beer (we prefer Gorkha). Perhaps it was inevitable that we would catch a bit of Everest Fever ourselves. The first … Continue reading →

As we enjoyed a few lazy days inside The Bubble, political turmoil manifested itself outside. This sort of street-closing, life-disrupting protest, known as a banda or bandh, is surprisingly common throughout Nepal. Political cartoons poke fun at the local fondness … Continue reading →

One of our favorite things about spending time in The Bubble was getting to know four-year-old Leila. This is one worldly kid. She has hiked in the Himalayas. When she’s told that she’ll be trying a Korean dish called bibimbap … Continue reading →