Calling all Nepal K-1/K-3/AOS filers

[Imua 0]

I'm still dreaming of spring rolls. Spring rolls on trek are monstrousities... huge fried vegetable turnovers, as big as calzones! I think I must have ordered one of those at every lodge we stopped at. I've been getting my recipes from Rajan's older sister. She and the rest of the women in Rajan's family are amazing cooks. Granted, she can't give me amounts, only can tell me what's in the dish and what order to cook them in. Thanks for the yak cheese link Maya! I'm a huge cheese freak and I love yak cheese. I'm dreaming about grilled yak cheese and tomato sandwiches right now. I know it's expensive, but I swear I'm going to order some!

Rajan told me that the Thakalis are famous for their cooking, not that they cook very different foods from any other ethnic group in Nepal. I understood them to be masters of flavor and food preparation, the Thakalis in Nepal are what the French are to European cuisine. In Tatopani, I had the tastiest meal ever... best dahl bhat tarkari and grilled fish prepared by a Thakali cook. You know how they say the way to man's heart is through his stomach? I think Rajan's really marrying me because he says I look Thakali. Hehehehehe...

I didn't try sikarni, but it seems very similar to a yogurt dessert in India, so it goes for many dishes in Nepal.

Ok, so enough about food already! It's damn near midnight here and instead of raiding the fridge, I need to go to sleep. I have serious separation anxiety. I talk to Rajan everyday, sometimes twice a day and it's not enough. I heard that writing your congressperson helps the process along tremendously. I made a first draft to Senator Barbara Boxer. Do you think it'll work? What if I get my friends and family to sign a petition with the header "Please find below signatures of support from wedding guests and your constituents."

I'll go recite my mantra...

How do you guys call each other? I've been using prepaid phone cards but it's a pain and there's no call record. I learned the hard way not to call direct from my home phone - I called once and the cost of that 30 minute call was... are you ready??? 230 DOLLARS!!!! Not rupees...dollars So I've used the cards ever since but I'm looking for a cheap way to call where the company will keep a call log that I can submit at the time of G's interview.

Mmm, grilled yak cheese and tomato sandwiches... and you're in CA where you can get some nice crusty sourdough..... Oh malai kasto bhok laagyo....

[Putali 0]

From some brief history lessons in a my distant past, the reason why Mao Tse Tung's particular brand of communism was popular was because he sought to assemble and empower the peasants/farmers (who lived in extreme poverty and of which most of China's populations is comprised of) against the Nationalist government that really wasn't doing the country any kind of good. This is a very similar situation with Nepal's poor and the current monarchy. The reason why Maoist ideals failed is because they displayed too radical ideals that were manifested in agendas and practices that resulted in the killing of many innocent Chinese and the blatant destruction of anything seen as a clinging to the old ways (temples, statues, cultural events). As long as there is poverty, radical ideals will always appeal to a population that has no other hope. The main reason why China has changed its ways is because of the influence of capitalism and its needs to play nice in the global arena. It's a catch-22 really. Nepal is the poorest Asian country with the average life-expectancy around 50-55 years (I believe it's even less if you're a woman). All these facts put Nepal on par with the poorest of the sub-Saharan African nations. For people to embrace Maoists ideals shouldn't shock anyone. While on trek you see Marx quoted in Nepali and in English (to make a point to travelers, I'm sure). The women, I'm constantly reminded, have it the worst. No rights, little legal recourse, no hope. Is it any wonder why Nepalese women are the most eager to join the Maoist movement?

When I was in Kathmandu, I went to the Yak and Yeti location for consular services and I immediately thought, "Who the hell would put an embassy here?!" Did you know there's a casino in Yak and Yeti? In any case, I think it's a good move. The site where it's located now is a real hike since it's near Tribhuvan Teaching Hospital, but at least it's away from the madness, like the Indian embassy.

Pattu-didi, to answer your question about the phone card. I don't use one that logs phone calls (at least I've not asked if they do). I'm not too concerned about that since Rajan and I are very regularly in touch by snail mail letters, g-mail chat, e-mail, etc. I do get a receipt for every phone card I purchase. Log on to www.pinonsale.com. There are several cards I use, but my all-time favorite is the L.A. Unlimited Aggressive. This "card" is the greatest. I think I spoke to Rajan for 2 hours straight for $5. You can even make two separate calls and make it stretch farther. There is a trick to this "card". The first call should be relatively short, say 15 minutes. Then you'll still have reserve funds left. But the next call can be unlimited. It's great. And the sound quality is amazing. One caveat to this card is that you must be calling a Kathmandu number. If your honey lives outside of Kathmandu, it should still work, but you won't have unlimited. This goes for most of the "cards" this site offers. If you want to try it, I can give you a pin number and you can call G. Good luck with it!

[maya62 7]

Thanks Putali for the history refresher!

If the Maoists can move into the mainstream without further violence and/or intimidation (a big IF), and get representation for the agendas of women, ethnic minorities, and other under- or un-represented groups in the Nepali government, then perhaps all those innocents who have suffered and died at the hands of the Maoists will not have died in vain. Was it necessary to go this route? I don't know. What country has gotten to some kind of political equilibrium (with representation of most/all constituents) without bloodshed?

I am concerned about the elections in November because S says that intimidation at the polls is very common, and the Maoists certainly haven't shown any signs of playing by the rules so far. And some of the numbers I've seen are just ridiculous. 300K+ Maoist surrendered 3K+ weapons? C'mon! And how many poll monitors will there be? A few dozen? What good will that do???

I don't know... I just don't know. I want to have hope, but some mornings when I read the headlines, I just get so discouraged.

Maya

[Imua 0]

Sorry I haven't logged on in a while - G's family is going through rough times - mom has been sick and they also have been having trouble with their landlord. My own health hasn't been great either - I picked up some hitchhiking parasites(Giardia) which haven't wanted to leave - finally went to the dr. to get meds. Thanks Putali didi for the phone info - will take your suggestions - $5 for 2 hours - kasto sasto chha!!

Recipe update: ever in the quest for 'something like Bhaktapur dahi' I tried Fage Greek yogurt for the first time and it is the closest thing I have tasted - expensive but tastes like 'real dahi'. Also it is strained like the recipe for sikarni calls for so I think I am going to make some this weekend - I'll let you didiharu know how it comes out!

I got a mini care package from G with some 'pustakari'(mmmm) and blessed rudrakshas from Pashupatinath, also he sent me his pp photos and copies of citizenship and passport, so I am almost ready to file - I think I just need affadavits from his family supporting our marriage which I hope won't slow things down too much more - I miss him so much...

[Imua 0]

Thanks Putali for the history refresher!

If the Maoists can move into the mainstream without further violence and/or intimidation (a big IF), and get representation for the agendas of women, ethnic minorities, and other under- or un-represented groups in the Nepali government, then perhaps all those innocents who have suffered and died at the hands of the Maoists will not have died in vain. Was it necessary to go this route? I don't know. What country has gotten to some kind of political equilibrium (with representation of most/all constituents) without bloodshed?

I am concerned about the elections in November because S says that intimidation at the polls is very common, and the Maoists certainly haven't shown any signs of playing by the rules so far. And some of the numbers I've seen are just ridiculous. 300K+ Maoist surrendered 3K+ weapons? C'mon! And how many poll monitors will there be? A few dozen? What good will that do???

I don't know... I just don't know. I want to have hope, but some mornings when I read the headlines, I just get so discouraged.

Maya

Do you read ekantipur.com daily? I used to but it gets my blood pressure going so much sometimes. I am also afraid about the elections - remember a couple of years back when they had elections, I forget how few people showed up to vote but everyone was afraid.

[Putali 0]

Hey Pattu-didi! You look too happy to be a Nepali bride

[Imua 0]

Hey Pattu-didi! You look too happy to be a Nepali bride

True - I have seen some Nepali wedding photos that look like mug shots...

It was the happiest day of my life so far - I think it will only be topped by the day when G finally arrives at JFK, visa in hand - so much to do until that day...*sigh*

[maya62 7]

Nice new wedding pic, Pattu Rani! Sorry to hear about G's mom and the landlord ickiness. And I hope you're feeling better.

I have taken hundreds of photos now (in two separate visits) of family and friends in S&A's village and his sister's village, and I've really tried to resist encouraging people to smile, but sometimes I just can't take all the serious expressions and I foist my cultural bias on them and tell them to smile! They smile a lot anyhow when there isn't a camera around...

About the news, I just about drove myself crazy in the months following Feb 1, 2005, after losing touch with S for that week (almost) I began reading obsessively and worrying about each new assertion or speculation. Once S&A were here, I calmed down quite a bit. We all still worry a bit about family and friends, but things do seem better lately.

I haven't read eKantipur as much as Nepal News and Himalayan Times, but I checked it again recently and it does have more local stories and more detailed political reporting than most things I can access through that nepalnewsnow link.

cheers

Maya

[Imua 0]

Nice new wedding pic, Pattu Rani! Sorry to hear about G's mom and the landlord ickiness. And I hope you're feeling better.

I have taken hundreds of photos now (in two separate visits) of family and friends in S&A's village and his sister's village, and I've really tried to resist encouraging people to smile, but sometimes I just can't take all the serious expressions and I foist my cultural bias on them and tell them to smile! They smile a lot anyhow when there isn't a camera around...

About the news, I just about drove myself crazy in the months following Feb 1, 2005, after losing touch with S for that week (almost) I began reading obsessively and worrying about each new assertion or speculation. Once S&A were here, I calmed down quite a bit. We all still worry a bit about family and friends, but things do seem better lately.

I haven't read eKantipur as much as Nepal News and Himalayan Times, but I checked it again recently and it does have more local stories and more detailed political reporting than most things I can access through that nepalnewsnow link.

cheers

Maya

It's interesting about smiling for photos in Nepali culture. I noticed the older generation dont seem to smile as much for photos(though I have a priceless shot of my FIL with a huge grin on his face at G's birthday party when we were all horsing around putting cake frosting on each other's faces, including his - he is typical dignified Nepali man in dhaka topi and kurta surwal, with frosting on his chin and a huge grin... My MIL didn't seem to smile as much and it worried me at first, made me think maybe deep inside she didn't approve of my marrying her 'Balakrishna' , you know after my previous experience with Kumar I didn't know if I could trust a Nepali MIL... but G told me it is because her leg hurts her very much after an injury - she is very happy that we are together.

I can't imagine how you must have felt in 2/05 when King G cut Nepal from the rest of the world and you cannot have any contact with your Maya... I would have been hysterical!!! I worry about G's grandparents in Dharan - there have been monsoon floods in that area and demonstrations and strikes by Madhesi groups, but G assures me they are fine.

[maya62 7]

About Feb 1 2005... I never saw it coming. I wonder if anyone did. I just went in to work that morning (here) and checked my usual everything-Nepali sites and it dawned on me what had happened. Then I did become hysterical for the first couple of days. S and I had been emailing almost daily (between treks), so of course I thought the worst when I didn't hear from him. The word got out pretty quickly, through trekinfo, yetizone, and thorntree about the lines being "snapped", and then slowly there were anecdotal bits that things were actually peaceful on the streets of Ktm. Of course I had been imagining some sort of SS troop scenario with house-to-house searches etc.... (I had only been to Nepal once at that point and did not have a good feel for the political climate/culture yet, except an understanding that it was volatile). Then I got an email from S on Thursday (Feb 1 was a Tuesday), at a time when NOBODY on any of these forums, some of whom have good friends and/or family in Nepal, was getting any word by any venue. I was SOOO surprised! He had found an open line somehow, by scouring the city... all the internet places he knew of. I wept with relief. He was fine. So we went ahead with our plan for my second visit in March. A month later, I was back in Ktm. I met my stepson for the first time on that trip... sweet, quiet, little 9 year old (ah, how much has changed!! ) He came to visit in Ktm and reported in a matter-of-fact way that several of his teachers had been kidnapped by the Maoists and taken away for the weekend to a remote location for "re-education" and then returned unharmed. So we didn't get to go to the village as planned, and I had to wait another 6 months to return and meet my in-laws.

Well, I'm rambling. It was a nerve-wracking time. And that, coupled with the ensuing visa process and ultimately our trip back to the US together (and settling in, and getting married), made for a very exciting and challenging year in 2005. Gee, life is so sedate now! NOT. Nothing like a pre-teen to keep you hopping!

Y'all have a nice day now...

Maya

[Putali 0]

Pattu-didi, I only say you're too happy to be a Nepali bride because most of the Nepali brides I've seen look absolutely miserable on their wedding day. Rajan told me it's normal because the bride has to leave the home of her family and probably won't see them again for a very long time. She now "belongs" to the husband and his family and must now live her life under a completely different set of rules with well-defined expectations from her in-laws. http://www.flickr.com/photos/phitar/10241020/ (According to the caption, it's all an act)

If I lost contact with Rajan, I just don't know what I would do. I still go crazy when he's out on trek and keep telling myself that I'm going to attach some kind of GPS device on him... maybe one day I can track him with google earth. Either that, or train a pigeon. Maya, I can't imagine what you went through!

I read eKantipur once in a while but especially when Rajan tells me something is going on... another bandh, extreme weather, etc.

[Imua 0]

Pattu-didi, I only say you're too happy to be a Nepali bride because most of the Nepali brides I've seen look absolutely miserable on their wedding day. Rajan told me it's normal because the bride has to leave the home of her family and probably won't see them again for a very long time. She now "belongs" to the husband and his family and must now live her life under a completely different set of rules with well-defined expectations from her in-laws. http://www.flickr.com/photos/phitar/10241020/ (According to the caption, it's all an act)

If I lost contact with Rajan, I just don't know what I would do. I still go crazy when he's out on trek and keep telling myself that I'm going to attach some kind of GPS device on him... maybe one day I can track him with google earth. Either that, or train a pigeon. Maya, I can't imagine what you went through!

I read eKantipur once in a while but especially when Rajan tells me something is going on... another bandh, extreme weather, etc.

Putali-didi, I'm just laughing picturing a pigeon tracking Rajan - wish I could do the same with G, hehe

Did you didiharu get the email from the KTM Embassy? I posted it as a separate message in case future VJers are looking for it.

Maya, Putali, hope you have a great Labor Day weekend - I'm going to be writing the affadavit lettrs for G's family and friends to sign and also be busy with eBayage - they are waiving most listing fees through the end of Sept. so I'm telling myself I will hunker down and list the rest of the stuff I broght back from Nepal - how do you think I pay for my trips??? It's a lot of work but fun, especially when you've got a good business partner overseas(hopefully not overseas for long)...

[Imua 0]

did you guys catch this thread? Like I said, I saw the title and I knew it HAD to be in Nepal...

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...=86265&st=0

Have any of you ever traveled with (formerly R)NAC? Can't be any worse than a local microbus ride from KTM to Pokhara, no?

Edited September 5, 2007 by Pattu Rani

[ELW 5]

I didn't see the thread before - OMG officials doing that in front of a PLANE! Uh, why don't they just repair the thing or trash it for a brand new one? Oh yah, cuz it's in NEPAL!

[maya62 7]

Nope, I've assiduously avoided ®NA thus far. I've heard too many horror stories.

I can't speak for the microbus ride from Ktm to Pokhara, but I have fond memories of the microbus ride from Ktm to Trishuli, AKA the vomit-mobile. I've never seen so much vomiting in the span of 3 hours ever before or since. Poor things... especially the kids. But that microbus had blood on the front of it, too, as it was just after Dashain. It was a wild ride, and having done it several times now, I'm much happier when I don't look out the window unless S says it is safe. And we ride the big buses and buy tickets ahead so we have seats. Last time they even showed a (really goofy) Nepali video.

The scariest, though, was Ktm to Dhunche this past June... bouncing across a semi-rebuilt, boulder-strewn, half-finished road bed with a coupla thousand foot drop just outside my window and the driver chatting and laughing with the Tibetan woman next to him and NOT LOOKING AT THE "ROAD".

Gotta love it!

Maya