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Sex versus
lightning
Some of the sites of the
cults are intertwined with quite astonishing stories. The representation
of a copulating couple on the roof trusses of a Tantric Jaganath (Krishna)
temple are said to protect the building from the still virginal goddess
Jaganath who comes to earth as lightening and will be so shocked by such
images that she will not strike the building. In the Tibetan Bonpo monastery
fifty monks and mystics await the paradise on earth kingdom of Olmo Lungring
prophesied for 18,000 years.
Devout Newars take care
of a jeweled waistcoat that the serpent god once stole from a demon and
the sight of which will now protect against theft. And a giant statue represents
the frightening Kal Bhairab, god of truth, that will destroy all who lie
to him. Kathmandu is a place of wonders. Every lane contains a little secret,
every temple a myth. This place of many religions in the bright clear light
of the high Himalayas is a perfect travel destination for westerners provided
they suspend the pure reason of their own world.
Public display of affection
are frowned upon. Nepali men often walk around hand-in-hand, but this does
not have the same implications as it does in San Francisco! Raising your
voice or shouting shows extreme bad manners and will not solve your problem,
what ever it might be. Always try to remain cool, calm and collect. Bodily
contact is rarely made, even for shaking hands, although amongst young
Nepali men with western connections it is becoming more accepted. Never
touch anything or point at anything with your feet, |
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the lowest part of the
body. In contrast the head is spiritually the highest part of the body,
so don't pat children on the head. Never inquire about a person's caste.
The Nepalese do not like to give negative answers or no answer at all:
if you are given a wrong direction or told a place is much nearer than
it turns out to be, it may be through fear of disappointing you! Don't
encourage begging children. If you want to help there are lots of excellent
aid organizations which will make good use of your contribution and local
schools will be only too happy with a gift of ball-point pens
Climate
Nepal has four distinct
seasons. Spring from March to May, is warm with rain showers. Summer, from
June to August, is the monsoon season when the hills turn lush and green.
Autumn, from September to November, is cool with clear skies and is the
most popular season for trekking. In winter, from December to February,
it is cold at night, with fog in the early morning.
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Because Nepal is quite far
south in Latitude (same as Miami), the weather is warmer and winter is
much milder at lower elevations. The monsoon is determined by the Bay of
Bengal. It is hot during the monsoon with rain almost everyday. During
this season, trekking in most of Nepal is difficult and uncomfortable,
the trails being muddy and infested with leeches. It usually does not rain
for more that one or two days during the entire autumn and the winter season.
In the winter, the mountains are covered with snow including some high
hills. Mt. Everest itself is a huge black rock during the trekking season,
which becomes snow-covered only during the winter.
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Climate factors are very important
in deciding on a visit to Nepal. October-November, the start of the dry
season, is in many ways the best time of the year in Nepal. With the monsoon
only recently finished the country-side is green and lush and Nepal is
at its most beautiful. Rice is harvested and there are some more important
and colorful festivals to enjoy. At this time of the year the air is sparkling
clean, visibility is unexcelled and the Himalayan views are as near perfect
as you can ask. Further more the weather is still balmy, neither too hot
nor too cold. For obvious reasons, this is also the peak tourist season.
If you plan to visit during
the monsoon, and your stay is restricted to the Kathmandu Valley, a week
is probably quite enough. During the dry season you really need more like
a month to enjoy the country: a week or two for Kathmandu and the surrounding
area, a week for a short trek, and a week for Pokhara and a visit to Royal
Chitwan National Park. If you wan to walk some of the longer trekking routes
then you need to extend your visa - it takes three weeks to walk the Annapurna
Circuit
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