1. Cultural characteristics
Nepal is a country that still has a caste system, its inhabitants practice Hinduism and Buddhism, and their lives are influenced by many religious and moral rules. So to avoid inadvertently embarrassing yourself, it's worth remembering that:
- It is forbidden to step over a person lying down or over their feet, or to allow them to step over yours. Stepping on someone's outstretched feet is generally considered offensive, and even touching someone else's feet is not appropriate, nor should you touch someone with your shoes.
- It is not allowed to touch a Nepali's head or stroke the heads of children. For locals, the head is a sacred part of the body and only monks and parents are allowed to touch it.
- Enter a Nepali house only with the owner's permission, taking off your shoes before entering (just like in a temple). Also, you must not throw garbage into the stove or hearth in the house (the hearth is considered a sacred symbol of home and family).
- It is forbidden to take or give anything with the left hand, as it is considered "unclean."
- In Nepal, it is not allowed to taste food or drink from another person's utensils or to offer a Nepali one's own - also because it is "unclean".
- It is forbidden to bring leather goods into Nepali temples (shoes count too), as well as to touch worshippers and offerings left for the gods. If there is a water mill in the temple - you should not wash with its water or drink it, as it is considered sacred.
- Nepalis strictly observe the dress code: in the country is not accepted to be very naked, so the most acceptable form of dress for women - a long skirt and a T-shirt / sweater with the maximum closed arms, for men - T-shirt / shirt and pants.
2. Kitchen
Nepali cuisine is not as spicy as Indian cuisine, but still more spicy than the European cuisine we are used to. It blends both Tibetan and Indian culinary traditions, making the gastronomic part of the trip a colorful experience.
To get a culinary portrait of Nepal, you should try dishes such as dal (boiled rice with lentils, vegetable curry, fresh or pickled soybeans) and its derivative, dal-bat (boiled rice, pea stew, curry, stewed vegetables, plain milk and papad flatbread mixed together and eaten by hand or with the help of the flatbread). Also look out for a dish with a funny name mo-mo (a type of dumpling with different fillings - from chicken to vegetables and sweet fruits), which is served steamed or fried in a spicy sauce. Don't forget chow mien (fried noodles with cheese, vegetables, egg or chicken meat) and tukpa (spicy noodle soup with vegetables and/or meat).
A few of the gourmet options include yak meat dishes (note that they're quite heavy) and cheese made from yak milk.
3. Safety
Nepal is a fairly safe country with a low crime rate and a peaceful and good-natured attitude towards tourists. However, in order not to spoil your vacation, still do not neglect the elementary and very simple rules, for example, do not leave things unattended - for the locals in this case they fall into the category of "nobody's", and you can safely say goodbye to them. And, of course, be polite and courteous to the locals, so you don't have to worry about getting into a conflict situation.
4. Hygiene
Although no special vaccinations are required to travel to Nepal, all tourists without exception should follow the rules of hygiene and pay close attention to their health, so as not to come down with a sudden ailment. So, what is the best thing to avoid in this country?
- Don't drink raw water (only bottled water, and check its tightness before buying it!) and don't eat unwashed fruits and vegetables (or buy those that are easy to peel - bananas, oranges, etc.).
- It is better not to drink raw milk and drinks containing it, as well as freshly squeezed juices - because of the risk of bacteria in them.
- Do not swim in open bodies of water - especially those with standing water.
- If you decide to eat in the city, choose establishments where there are visitors - tourists or locals. The absence of customers should be alarmed.
- It is better if you do not buy food on street stalls.
- Always carry a personal first aid kit, so that in case of any painful symptoms to help yourself before going to the doctor.
List of hospitals in Kathmandu Valley just in case:
- Patan city, Lagankhel district. Phone numbers: (01) 4521034, 4522266. Some of the staff are European missionaries.
- CIWEC. Telephone: (01) 4410983. Used by foreigners permanently residing in Kathmandu.
Nepal International Hospital. Phone: (01) 4412842
5. What to see
Nepal is an amazingly colorful and colorful country with its own unique atmosphere, which should be explored carefully and without hurry. The first temples to see are Jagannath, Sweta Machchhendranath, Ashok Vinayak (3rd century BC), the temple of the sky god Akash Bhairav or the huge Taleju temple in the center of an artificial pond.
Another type of religious building that has become a trademark of the country is the stupas. In Buddhism, they are considered a symbol of enlightenment and pure energy. Among the most famous and impressive are Swayambhunath in the Monkey Temple, where Nepalis believe the earth originated, and Bodhnath (3rd century BC), the center of Buddhism in Nepal.
If time and budget allow, be sure to visit the Shiva Garden in southern Nepal (on the border of Bhaktapur and Kavrepalonchok districts) to see the tallest statue of the Enlightened One in the world. And the final highlight is a visit to Mahendra Caves, a complex of caves with ethereal stalactite entrances and the Davis Falls.
6. What to bring back from Nepal
Of course, the most important gift Nepal can give you is an unforgettable experience. Well, and a good hundred (or more than one) photos to go with it. But if you really want a piece of this magical country, bring home handmade cashmere, home accessories made from fire-resistant lokta paper (such as a lamp), jewelry made from rudraksha seeds, or bone/wood carvings.
Nepali tea (spicy masala, Darjeeling or green bancha) and spices would be a good (and tasty) gift. And if you want to be original, take a "singing bowl" as a souvenir, which will give you something to do at your leisure.
