Verge Magazine submission

My experience in Nepal has without a doubt gripped my definition of life. Landlocked between China and India, Nepal is the home to infamous Mount Everest, Himalayas and also one of the most unstable governments. As a result, despite the exceptional potential for hydroelectric power generation and economic boost from tourism, it remains one of the world's poorest countries.

 

Born and raised in Canada I could not fathom how one could live on less than a small Tim Horton's coffee a day. I reluctantly went after being coerced by my friend to put myself in further debt to investigate life in one of the poorest countries in the world. (According to WHO's World Health Statistics 2009, 54.7% of Nepal's ~28million people live on less than $1 a day)

 

Departing from the shelter of the airport terminal, I was quickly introduced to the chaos of a developing country that some locals refer to as democracy in the jungle. With no traffic lights or road signs, I was pleasantly surprised that I actually arrived (and alive) at my desired destination. After nearly hitting several pedestrians, cutting off countless cars and running over a dog, I finally arrived at my host's middle class 1 storey flat in Lazimpat – the embassy area of the capital city of Kathmandu.

 

Over the next 2.5 months, I would learn firsthand what it meant to live a simple yet fulfilled life from the Nepalese people. Nepali's generally eat 2 meals of Dhal Bhat (lentil paste mixed with rice) and maybe a vegetable mix, at 10:00 and 19:00. In the rural areas, where ~83% of Nepali's live, the return on produce is very low; but with that comes a astonishing sense of community. Despite living an ear shot away, neighbours are all quite familiar with each other's families. Education is limited but from the way foreigners are treated, there is much to learn from their simple way of life.

 

Stumbling in the rain in a mountain village near Kodari, a Sherpa family spotted us and emphatically invited us to consume the first of their stash boiled potatoes and milk tea – a simple yet satisfying meal especially with nothing around. Through limited communication, we learn that they have never left the mountain and live like bears hibernating during the winter months of snow trying their best to gather wood with a pair of worn sneakers to stay warm until the next planting season. It's truly incredible how these people survive and yet are SO generous with what little they possess – including a contagious permanent zygomatic smile.

 

Returning to Kathmandu, I splurged <1USD on 1kg fresh mangos. At home, I realized that my host would never purchase these fruits whose prices were inflating astronomically due to tourism. (A tourist's definition of 'dirt cheap' was infinitely more than what a local could afford.)

 

So the challenge begins as I return home tonight and process how to live in light of these and many other experiences. Thanks for the opportunity to share.