We Are All One

I was headed down the ramp to board the plane when I noticed an older couple had gotten separated from their other family members, so I paused and stepped aside to waive them through.  The gentlemen protested at first, but I said, "So you can be with your family." He smiled and replied, "We are all one family, including you" before going ahead, and my heart smiled.

So many important and brilliant people have advocated travel and the experience of different cultures that I know I'm not really contributing anything new to the conversation, but I do believe it's true. Leaving our comfort zones and experiencing the world from positions of vulnerability and confusion can be frightening for most of us, at least it is for me, but it is one of the best ways to understand the world as well as gain a better understanding of ourselves. The most valuable thing I've gained from the limited travel in my life is becoming acquainted with interesting, deep, curious, kind, and grounded people. I've expanded my world by connecting with its residents, and to me, that's how life becomes richer and fuller.

Coming into Nepal resulted in a greater sense of culture shock than anywhere I've ever been. Reading about places in the world where it isn't even safe to brush your teeth with the water and where electricity and water and other basic comforts and necessities are not guaranteed to anyone doesn't compare with actually being in those places and experiencing what others regularly lack. To be honest, Nepal is a difficult place to get used to being, but I know for certain that after I return home, I will have a greater appreciation for the creature comforts I have always taken for granted.

For those of you who have traveled extensively, this is not going to be news to you, but for those of you who have not, I'll try to detail what kinds of things are different in Nepal than what we are used to. First of all, if you're squeamish, toilets are going to be a challenge. If they are traditional Eastern style toilets, you will need to squat to use them and hope and pray you do not lost a shoe. If they are Western style toilets, things are a little easier and familiar, but you may not flush your toilet paper as it clogs the toilets. Where does it go after you wipe?  In the trash can. It should go without saying that this get unpleasant over time. In many bathrooms, there are spray hoses and no toilet paper at all. You can go ahead and use your imagination on that one, and if you figure out how people get out of there all clean without soaking their clothes, please explain it to me. Go ahead. I'll wait...

During the monsoon season from June through August, it rains almost every day, and it is hot and muggy. The result is that even after you have showered, it is difficult, if not impossible, to get dry and stay dry. Once dressed again, you will most assuredly begin to sweat profusely anyway. By the way, the shower you have taken is most likely very cold.

Water must be boiled before you can consume it or brush your teeth with it, and visitors often use antibacterial gel on their hands, even after they have washed their hands with water, in order to avoid contracting any illnesses.

The streets are congested and dirty, and a traveler will be thankful to be walking once he/she has had the opportunity to ride in a car. The rules of the road are not clear, but if I were going to guess, I would say that it's mostly a survival of the fittest sort of situation. The most aggressive driver who survives has the right of way. As a pedestrian, you should also watch out for all possible vehicles. Once you hear the horn beep, the vehicle is already about to hit you.

Electrical wires line the streets and wrap around poles, appearing as easy to sort out as a can of worms. It comes as no surprise that there are frequent power outages.

All of this is not to paint a negative portrait of a place that is a very young democracy, closed off from the world until the early 1950s and difficult to travel to and from because of the mountains surrounding it. I would also not discourage anyone from going there, but one should always travel with open eyes. It's best to know what to expect so that you can accept it and maintain a positive attitude in advance.

I did not come to Kathmandu for a vacation, though. I came to work with others and talk about education and how to provide the best possible opportunities for children all over the world to learn. After all, we are all one family. More later.

Namaste