VI
EN
Stay healthy
Everyone can get sick, even locals, due to changes in environment and weather. The climate in this country is different from many other places. The capital, Kathmandu, is architecturally beautiful with impressive large squares, but it is also quite dusty and damp. The weather here is quite cold in the morning and hot at noon.
Leaving Kathmandu and heading towards the Himalayas, the higher you go, the colder and thinner the air becomes, making you feel uncomfortable. Travelers are often advised to bring supplements, vitamins, and drink plenty of water along the way. If possible, you should also stock up on some activated charcoal antidotes in case of food poisoning. Additionally, you should prepare antibiotics, fever reducers, cough suppressants, and antiseptic wipes for your hands.
Drinking water
Never drink tap water; buy bottled water and keep some water purification tablets handy in case of emergencies when bottled water is unavailable.
Pay
Nepalese people are quite similar to those in India and some other countries with a tradition of eating with their hands, such as Malaysia or Indonesia. The left hand is primarily used for hygiene tasks, while the right hand is used for important things like eating and shaking hands. You should remember to use your right hand when paying, receiving change, or handling bills.
It's a way to show respect, and it will be much easier to start a conversation with locals when they see that you understand Nepalese culture.
Eat and drink
Most people in Nepal eat with their right hand. Only restaurants catering specifically to foreign tourists pay attention to arranging forks and spoons on the table. You should definitely experience the feeling of using your fingertips to scoop up grains of rice and bring them to your mouth. It's guaranteed to be a very different experience, even if you're not used to it at first. Quite a few tourists, after adapting, decide to eat with their hands for the rest of their stay in Nepal. It's important to remember to wash your hands thoroughly before eating and not to use your left hand to pick up food.
Eat local dishes.
If you're a true traveler, you'll find that food is an indispensable part of your journey to new lands. The advice to try local dishes might seem contradictory to the above information about maintaining good health; the best approach is to choose clean restaurants and eateries.
In Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, any backpacker visiting the Thamel area (the Western Quarter) will inevitably stop by. Here, you can find a wide variety of international dishes alongside local cuisine. One of the essential dishes you should try is dal bhat, usually served on a platter with white rice and lentil stew on top; some places may also include vegetables or meat as a side dish.
Street children
In Kathmandu, and especially in the Thamel area, you'll see many children begging, and it's hard to refuse their pleading eyes. However, you should think twice before giving money, as these children are often forced to beg by lazy adults. If you truly want to help, seek out non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or volunteer groups that specialize in helping children and women in Nepal, such as Just One.
Flexible on the go.
You can be certain about departure times, arrival times, and paying exactly $5 for a taxi ride if you're traveling in Japan or Europe, but not in Nepal. Everything in the itinerary needs to be planned. However, if changes occur, you should "go with the flow" to avoid feeling frustrated.
Buses here can be late or run slowly; taxi drivers might take you to the wrong address; you might order dish A but be served dish B… many similar situations can occur in Nepal. For tourists wanting to get closer to Mount Everest by air, be prepared for a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla (one of the world's most terrifying airports). One male tourist once waited eight days at the airport for a flight to Lukla due to bad weather and constant flight cancellations. Things often go off track when you're in Nepal, and consider that part of the adventure.
Road to Nepal
There are several ways to get to Nepal, the most convenient being to take Thai Airways flights from Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi to Bangkok and then connect to Kathmandu.
Many pilgrims fly to India first and then travel by land through the Sunauli border crossing to visit Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha. From Sunauli or Lumbini, you can take a long-distance bus to Kathmandu.
Accommodation in Nepal for backpackers is mainly in the Thamel area, with thousands of hotels and guesthouses of all sizes where you can freely inquire about and bargain for prices.
