Five days in Kathmandu

The people are the greatest people, and because of them my trip will always remain with me. It's still the cheapest place on the planet to stay and is still the hippie capital of the world. What always remains with me afterward is to forget the trappings of the Western world. Nepal and its people are great.

Quick Tips:

Look around, avoid the beggars (if you get one beggar pestering you, you will get another, so be firm with them and don't encourage them). Talk to the normal people of Nepal and discover the true Nepali people, who are friendly and very honest and open. If you have to hire a guide for the day, hire one who speaks good English, as well.

Best Way To Get Around:

In Kathmandu, the taxi rules; they are cheap, and you can flag them down anywhere. Remember to haggle over the price with the driver.

I thought that, for the $17 a night including breakfast, you could not expect much. But I was surprised--very surprised. This place is as described: a traditional Nepali guesthouse. Don't expect a TV and gameroom. The place was very clean, had tons of hand-carved timber and cups of local Nepali tea, and even the owner took time to talk to you about Nepal and have a drink with you. Rooms were very nice in decor and style, and there's a perfect garden that is a pleasure in the noise and dirt of Kathmandu. In the words or Arni, "I'll be back." I will call this place my home in Nepal.