There are things in life that are obviously funny. Roaring with laughter, slapping the knee style funny. And then there are things that are a bit funny but more so amusing in the moment and grow in humor in time with reflection. These are many of the stories of Nepal. Mind you we were jet setting around the region and country in a week. Hopping here and there with little sleep, a lot of exertion and a variety of random food plus lacking real hydration. In our euphoria and exhaustion sure these moments caused a chuckle or two but now looking back we roar.
1. Nepal is 80% Hindu so they don't eat beef and of the other 20% of the population, 16% are Buddhist who are vegetarian. Needless to say beef is not on the menu. Ok but we'd seen it's cousin, a water buffalo on the menu plenty of times. So when it was day 6 and we really just wanted some simple "homey" food we jumped at the chance to order a cheeseburger and a cheese-potato burger. It didn't say what type of meat but we assumed it'd be water buffalo or boar or deer or something similar. Lets just say it was exactly as it was translated. My burger was a nice fluffy bun, tomato, pickle, onion and a cheese patty. Danny's same thing just add a potato patty. It actually tasted fantastic but oh the literal interpretation.
2. China is known for being ...um... a bit rigid. Especially when it comes to the social media and such of its people. In Pokhara , after a long day, sight seeing and shopping, we had a nice dinner and then went to a rock n roll cover band bar. They weren't too bad and it was fun to hear. At a table near the front was a Chinese foursome who were clearly enjoying themselves. One in particular was doing anything iconic or stereotypical to what you'd think to see in an 80's movie. So much so she almost fell off her chair. I guess Nepal is an escape to those in southern China... or maybe just to her.
3.This past year we saw the sunrise from the top of Mt.Fuji after hiking up in the darkness of night. When the sun rose everyone cheered, understandably so. We'd all just busted our butts to get to the top and see this thing. In Nepal we drove to the top of a mountain (as did everyone else) to see a sunrise over Pokhara. It rose and was beautiful and the crowds cheered. They cheered? Yes! They all acted like they had accomplished an immense feat. Yes, driving that hill was so hard. Maybe it's perspective.
4. While visiting the International Hiking Museum there was a middle-aged Indian couple who at one point engaged us in conversation. At first it was casual just asking where we were from, etc. Then I notice the wife is filming us.... um why?! I guess for family memories. I'm not sure if we were the only Americans or what they'd met but we are now part of their memories and family videos. They also REALLY wanted us to visit them in India.
5. On our flights the further west we went there were less and less fair skinned individuals if you get my drift. So when there would be one we'd play the guessing game of where they were from, going , etc, etc. One girl we noticed was on 2 of our flights . She had a New Zealand patch on her pack so we started referring to her as "The Kiwi" , (in a nice way). Well we saw The Kiwi at 2 different places in Kathmandu- granted they were touristy places but still. Then we saw her again at a random, low-key place and finally chatted. She was staying at the hostel directly across from our hotel. What are the chances?! Well even though we intended to swap names or info we didn't . Ahh that's it , right? Well in Pokhara we ran into her as we were rushing to our boat and her the bus. We greeted and exchanged pleasantries. What are the chances 4 hours away from Kathmandu and a country of 6+ million we'd run into "The Kiwi" again?! Her friend was thoroughly confused as she just met up with her. Being in such a rush we again forgot to exchange anything. We can't help but laugh and think "It must of been". But hey "Kiwi" if you're out there lets exchange info this time.
There are plenty of fantastical stories and humerus antics. These are just a few but they've grown only better with time. It makes you take life with ease and enjoy every, silly, little aspect of it.
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