Every day is like flipping to a new page of National Geographic. I wish I could adequately describe to you the sights, smells, tastes, and sounds in Nepal. Well, as long as I’m writing a blog about it, I guess I could try.
The sights of Nepal
We trekked to southern Nepal a few weeks ago, and that’s when we started to make comments about how we were living in a National Geographic magazine. As we drove the death-defying mountain roads, we took in the sights along the way. Instead of looking down, we looked across to see beautiful waterfalls. They fell gracefully out of the side of the mountain. Also on the sides of the mountain, on the gentle inclines were people farming. Once in Sarlahi, there were even more sights to take in. On our walks to evangelize in the villages, we passed men driving cattle and men digging irrigation ditches as water flowed freely to their paddies. Women in brightly colored saris working in the field, picking rice and chatting. Kids, completely naked, jumping into the mud-brown water with gleeful shrieks. Sarlahi has been one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited in my life.
The smells of Nepal
Oh, how the smells vary in Nepal. One deep breath in the wrong place often results in gagging. There have been such delightful smells here, at the house. Auntie’s cooking is so wonderful, and the rising smells of chow mien and roti are mouthwatering. But, leaving the house is a whole different story. Buffalo and goat pies line the streets in the market. And depending if you’re walking past the vegetable stand or the place where they slaughter chickens, you are in for two completely different treats. Just yesterday, as I was walking the village, I took in a deep breath in the wrong place. I have no idea where the smell came from, but a coarse, pungent smell overtook my nose. Then, the next step was sweet. Riddle me that.
The tastes of Nepal
Boy oh boy, where to begin? Everything here is so full of flavor and texture. Nepal is a place where taste buds that crave spicy and exotic foods are quenched. In the morning, we have tea time with spicy, sweet tea and biscuits. Throughout the day, we may have a range of anything from rice and bean soup to ramen to eggs to moma. We have many kinds of vegetables that I have never tasted or seen before. Every meal is colorful and delightful.
The sounds of Nepal
Nepal, while at most times is much quieter than India, still has its unrelenting noise. We have the occasional car horn or loud argument next door, but the main sound comes from across the rice paddy. Starting around 7:00 or 8:00 every night, the music begins. Our neighbors turn on the loud speaker and make announcements in Nepali. We asked our neighbor friend and she told us that they are talking about Hindu gods. The music continues until after we are asleep.
Our senses have been tested and pushed this month. National Geographic is a great magazine to read, but I am really enjoying living in the pages.
