left our jobs, went to Asia

Nepali porter carrying a huge cistern up the hill, near Tiplyang, Nepal

I have said it before, I will say it again.

Next time I'll think my job is difficult and tiring, I'll force myself to reconsider.  READ MORE »

Landslide closing the road near Tatopani, Nepal

Seeing the road closed off by a landslide, I started looking at things differently. One thing is to watch a program on a Discovery channel, another - trying to cross the pile of rocks obstructing the way as quickly as possible, in order to not get hit by one more of them falling down on the head from above.  READ MORE »

Lonely tree overwhelmed by a Himalayan mountain near Kobang, Nepal

Himalayas do not need, nor can they be described by words.  READ MORE »

Cozy courtyard of a lodge in Tukuche, Nepal

Continuing the Annapurna circuit trek, I had time to think about supply and demand.

Not being an economist, I saw a few simple conditions for my questions.

There are three towns:  READ MORE »

Horse riders competing to reach a scarf on the ground, Muktinath, Nepal

Today, standing at the height of 3800 meters, I felt like being in the steppes of Mongolia. Horses all aroud, the riders racing and doing stunts in style of "pick up the scarf from the ground".

That was the least thing I expected to see being in the mountains, and that's exactly why I was so glad.  READ MORE »

Buddhist lama in a procession visiting Muktinath, Nepal

We did not prepare much for our trip, we did not set strict schedules nor book hotels in advance. That can sound irresponsible if sitting in the office and planning a week long vacation, but during long travels this is how it works. You just arrive and decide about everything on spot, according to circumstances.

Makes life much easier and prevents from overexerting.  READ MORE »

Mountains, rocks and sky in the riverbed of Kali Gandaki, near Jomsom, Nepal

Already the first day on the Annapurna Circuit in town of Jomsom proved our questionable decision to do it during monsoon season was right.

Landscape, cleansed from artificial structures, cars, people and dirt was a song to our souls.  READ MORE »

Electrician having a hard time finding the correct wires, Pokhara, Nepal

Microelectronics engineer working in a high tech lab at Intel is nothing in comparison to this simple electrician employed to sort out the mess on streets of Pokhara.  READ MORE »

Cows lying around on the street of Pokhara, Nepal

Human mind is very quick to adapt. It is only two weeks that I'm seeing cows and bulls literally living on the streets of Nepal's cities. I am used to it already, and do not wonder as I did during the first few days.

It is positive in this case, but not at all when one gets used to the good things in life.  READ MORE »

Fake yeti - an inhabitant of mountaineering museum in Pokhara, Nepal

Manking is expanding with a horrendous speed on planet Earth. There are not so many places left that the civilization has not reached yet. Therefore it is always surprising to find out that scientists still manage to discover some new species from time to time.  READ MORE »

Men holding hands on streets of Baglung, Nepal

Public display of affection is considered impolite in Nepal. It includes the opposite sexes holding hands.

However, it does not mean that members of the same sex can't hold their hands. Quite contrary, it is perfectly normal for two Nepali men to walk the streets with their hands intertwined. It absolutely does not mean that they are gay.  READ MORE »

Farmers resting during a heat of the day near Baglung, Nepal

Some employers do not care about the employees' working conditions, some do.

Part of those who do are just good people, the bigger part believes that the employees will work longer hours and do more job faster if the office is cozy and convenient.  READ MORE »

Keeper of fruit and vegetable shop near Baglung, Nepal

Strangely, we did not yet encounter a single bazaar in Nepal. Only small, specialized shops all over the streets. I wonder if that is an influence of Indian enterpreneurship.  READ MORE »

Young Nepali lady carrying full basket up the hill near Baglung, Nepal

A traditional way of Nepali porters to carry cargo is to strap one end of looped belt onto the box or basket, another - over the top of their head. No backpacks.

I could barely lift the pannier that this girl was hauling up the hill.  READ MORE »

Nepali trekking guide waiting for slow Westerners near Baglung, Nepal

A day trip with Yogendra to the hills surrounding the town of Baglung, revealed a few cultural and physical differences:  READ MORE »