Nepal
Getting to Market
August 4, 2010 by Bernard Pollack
Crossposted from the Worldwatch Institute’s Nourishing the Planet.
For many farmers, an abundant harvest is only the first step toward feeding their families and earning an income. Vegetables ripening in the field—or even harvested and stored nearby—are still a long way from the market where they can be sold for a profit.
One farmer in Sudan’s Kebkabyia province, Abdall Omer Saeedo, has to travel 10 kilometers twice a week to the nearest market to sell his vegetables and green fodder. Without a cart, truck, or other means of transporting a large amount of goods efficiently, he couldn’t make enough money to cover his production and packing costs, let alone the cost of seeds for the next season, education for his children, and other household needs. And after making it to market with his 10 sacks and five bags of produce on the back of his donkey, he was still at risk for loss if he wasn’t able to sell it all. Instead of dealing with the hassle of trying to pack it back home again, he would throw away whatever wasn’t sold.
Saeedo sought the help of Practical Action,…
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Nepal: History, Culture and Economy
July 31, 2010 by Victoria Levy
Nepal (pronounced /nəˈpal/ nə-PAHL, /-pal/ -PAWL; Nepali: नेपाल [neˈpal]), officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a state in South Asia and, as of 2010, the world’s most recent nation to become a republic.
It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People’s Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India.
With an area of 147,181 square kilometres (56,827 sq mi) and a population of approximately 30 million, Nepal is the world’s 93rd largest country by land mass and the 41st most populous country. Kathmandu is the nation’s capital and the country’s largest metropolitan city.
Nepal is a country of highly diverse and rich geography, culture, and religions. The mountainous north has eight of the world’s ten highest mountains, including the highest, Sagarmatha, known in English as Mount Everest. It contains over 240 peaks more than 20,000 ft (6,096 m) above sea level. The fertile and humid south is heavily urbanized.
By some measures, Hinduism is practised by a larger majority of people in Nepal than in any other nation. Buddhism, though a minority faith in the country, is linked historically with Nepal as the birthplace of the Buddha.
About half of the population live below the international poverty line of US$1.25 a day.
A monarchy throughout most of its history,…
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Daily Dose of Inspiration: The Changemakers Series
July 26, 2010 by Sloane Berrent
Once a week this summer, come back to The Causemopolitan to read a guest post that will inspire you right up out of your seat to get involved and give back in a special series called Cause It’s Summer! Featured bloggers will be sharing their own reflections and stories, tips and resources, and perspective on philanthropy, social entrepreneurship and their own cause-filled life. This week welcome Olivia Khalili, as she shares six stories of people and companies that are doing good in the world, despite all odds. The stories are inspirational, and also true testaments to the strength of the human spirit.
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Most of the time I forget to be inspired by myself. Hang on, I’m anything but immodest, but that’s just my point. We’re comfortable with drawing inspiration from others, but don’t usually tap our own stores of experiences and learning. So before I share some of the people and projects that inspire me, I’m taking a minute to silently include myself, to put to use the lessons learned from my life of gaffs and victories and tamed uncertainties—and I think you should do the same.
Much of my…
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On Top of the World…. And Out of a Plane
July 20, 2010 by Duncan Mills
There are plenty of spectacular (some might say crazy) activities for thrill seekers in this wonderful planet of ours. Swimming with great white sharks in South Africa, for instance. Or cycling down the Camino del Muerte, or ‘Death Road’, in Bolivia. Others love the buzz of snowboarding off piste high up on a vertiginous peak, or climbing solo on equally dizzying overhangs. But I’ve just found out about a new challenge, which might just pip the lot…
Everest Skydive it’s called. Yes, you did read that correctly. A skydive over Everest. Incredible, huh.
Jump from 29,500 feet - the ultimate adrenalin rush
‘The ultimate skydive experience’ – and you can’t really disagree – is being offered by Captive Adventure, a new company looking to create once-in-a-lifetime adventures for the adventurous spirited. The company were set up after the great success of ‘The Everest Test’ in 2009, the world’s highest game of cricket… proving just how extraordinarily dedicated and barmy cricket fans and players can be.
For this expedition they’ve teamed up with World Record breaking adventurer, Nigel Gifford OBE (who scaled Everest as a climber in 1976 and organised the first ever Everest skydive…
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Tiger Balm Tales E-book – Annapurna Circuit with my Father
June 23, 2010 by Sherry Ott
Dad and I being welcomed to Nepal
Father’s Day was last Sunday; what better time to reflect upon my recent travels with my father.
Last October I traveled to Nepal to hike the Annapurna Circuit with my 73 year old father. We hiked for 21 days with many ups and downs…quite literally. I blogged about each step of that journey here on my website. However I feel like I put so much into that writing that I wanted to offer it to my readers (or whomever is interested!) in a non-blog format!
My first e-book is here – the Tiger Balm Tales from beginning to end with a few pictures in between.
The book is great for anyone who:
- Will be hiking the Annapurna circuit and wants more info on what to expect
- Enjoys heartwarming stories of family travel
- Has ever considered traveling with their parents
- Loves hiking in general
Download the Free ebook now!
It’s in pdf format – so you can simply download the file…
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Photo of the Week – Barbot, Nepal
April 22, 2010 by Sherry Ott
Who’s Back There? – Barbot, Nepal
Going to villages that are off the tourist trail in Nepal are the most rewarding to me. So when the principle of the school I was volunteer teaching at invited me on a 4 hour hike (actually it took 7 hrs) to his village of Barbot for the weekend – I said yes! Barbot was perched high on a mountain and full of amazing scenery and people to photograph. What made it better was my personal ‘guide’ and friend who took me around the village and surrounding areas providing me access to great photography opportunities.
This young mother and son had just left the local market when I was able to capture them. I think the young boy was as curious about me as I was about him!
Read the complete story of my weekend in Barbot.
To see more travel photography – check out Photo Friday at Briefcase to Backpack!
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A Home in Thamel – Ambassador Garden Home Hotel
April 21, 2010 by Sherry Ott
The garden
In the middle of the craziness of Thamel (the tourist district) I found this gem boutique hotel; a diamond in the ruff! What makes staying at the Ambassador Garden Home Hotel a unique experience is the staff. It feels as you are a member of their family. When my father and I arrived they served us tea and gave us a Tilak blessing. They sat and talked with us about where we were from, as well as educating us about the hotel and their family history. You immediately felt the warmth and passion of this boutique hotel; it felt like you were staying in a friend’s home.
Prime Location:
Thamel is one of the busiest places in Kathmandu; noisy, crowded, and dirty. However in the heart of Thamel is the Ambassador Garden Home located at one of the main intersections. It’s set back from the road and once you step into their ‘grounds’ you are immediately transported to a peaceful environment – a safe haven from the craziness of Kathmandu.
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Best and Worst of the Annapurna Circuit
April 19, 2010 by Sherry Ott
Prayer Flag
Tiger Balm Tales Vol. 22
Best and the Worst of the Annapurna Circuit
Near the end of hiking the circuit, my father and I reminisced on some of our best and worst experiences over the past 21 days. We compiled a list of the best / worst of our Annapurna Circuit experience. Remember…this is only our opinion!
| My Dad | Me | |
| Best Food | Onion Tomato Lasagna in Marpha (so good he had it for lunch and dinner!) | Dharapani’s Mushroom noodle soup and Momos |
| Best Guest House | It was unanimous…our Gunsang guest house had the best hospitality there was and a great view that you would never tire of. Not to mention our ensuite toilet! | |
| Worst Guest House | Also unanimous – the first guesthouse we stayed in with the bucket shower in the smelly outhouse was the worst. They people |
Kathmandu Photography – Pigeons
April 18, 2010 by Sherry Ott
Venice thinks that it has the corner on the market when it comes to pigeons, but don’t discount Kathmandu’s pigeon population! They were everywhere, intermingled with each other, people, and of course the holy cows!
A walk to school among the pigeons
Coming in for landing
Diversification – In Dubar Square the pigeons and cows intermingle happily
Related Posts
Kathmandu Photography – Boudhanath
April 17, 2010 by Sherry Ott
Boudhanath peers out over it’s visitors
Praying Clockwise
Monks reciting spiritual lines in front of Boudhanath
Colorful gong inside the temple waits for contact to be made
Boudhanath Decor
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