What is the hardest thing about living and working in Nepal? What is the best thing(s) about living in Nepal? Why are you all there?

-- Hilda Barthew-Scrimsdale (cws@cnet.wlink.com.np), March 16, 2000

Answers

Dear Hilda

I am the web master for the CWS site. I just wanted to say thanks for writing in and starting the ball rolling.

Regarding your questions I would say that one of the CWS personnel would be better suited to answering them as they live that life every day. Marco will no doubt be sending you a reply as soon as he returns to work.

My personal experience is that difficulties come in two forms; The physical difficulties such as the heat, rain, poor infrastructure and demanding terrain of the Himalayan foothills; The mental difficulties for a Westerner struggling to integrate into a very foreign culture.

The physical problems are easy to understand and deal with, whereas the social problems are less easy to handle. I think that most visitors to Nepal have become exhaasperated at one time or another with Nepali service (or lack of). I personally spent 5 months trying to get a slice of toast. The fault here was with myself who took a simple thing as toast for granted. I didn't realise that bread is not the staple of Nepal and using a toaster is totally foreign to Nepali people who may have grown up without electricity.

There are so many captivating things in Nepal. I wasn't enamoured or the city life. Kathmandue is hot, polluted, and doesn't always smell so pleasant to say the least. However the countryside is a whole different world of beauty and splendour. People are generally polite and spoil visitors with their time and hospitality.

You should read the other posting by Andrew "A blessed extravaganza (Andrew Doig, 2000-03-13)"

I hope that has wetted your appitietite. I can see that you have a Neapli email address - where are you from?

Regards

Simon

-- Simon Johnson (virtual3@mos.com.np), March 20, 2000.

Dear Simon,

Thank you so much for your interesting reply. As you may have guessed, I have visited Nepal and so was interested in other people's impressions of the country. I especially liked the tea, just like I used to get as a child, and seemingly endless supplies of it too! The spicey food was more challenging, and the bus timetables perhaps a little 'loose'. Once again thanks

Hilda Barthew-Scrimsdale F.T.S.S. Wanlip Lane Wanlip Leicester

-- Hilda Barthew-Scrimsdale F.T.S.S. (gpt@mos.com.np), March 20, 2000.

Dear Hilda

I feel some sort of universal event is about to occur here. I lived for 13 years in Rothley and attended Longslade school. The chief administatorator in CWS also went to that esteemed establishment. Wow you are from Wanlip - home of the famous sewage works. I have relocated to Cambridge just recently after I was living in Pokhara fro a half year.

Did you visit Pokhara on you trip to Nepal?

I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards

-- Simon Johnson (virtual3@mos.com.np), March 21, 2000.