Dear fellow Sajhabaasi-

I am sure, many of you are planning to visit Nepal (not necessarily Kathmandu only)during your summer vacation this year. Not to mention, this "humdrum" is one of you in the list.

Ever since I decided to go back home, this year, I feel so nostalgic of everything associated with it. I don't know how my cousin suntali looks like after four years; she was about an year old I left her on my arms. My own brother, I left him at twelve, and I don't know how he looks like now from face-to-face. I am sure there are more grey hairs on the elders. I don't know whether I would met some of my langautiyaa near by my house since those "doll's days." I doubt I will met some of them. Is that goreto baato nearby Gopal's house is the same as dusty as I left four years ago. May be couple of houses might be erected around us. Will I be able to see the white peaks of those mountains on the horizon??? May be that big dhoopiko tree nearby my house might be chopped out. Could I be able to hear the chirps of birds early in the morning or just the plain roosters sound??? Is my feeling will be the same as before after receiving vermillon or sandlwood's tika on my forehead???

So many questions and so many answers to explore. Just thinking of you "Kathmandu" I am lost in deep thought......

Sat 23rd/2005
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Dedicated for those who are going back Nepal this year...

question: why do we most nepalese tend to attach ourselves to the past not the future..

your suntali ...must be bootilicious freedom fighter by now...your bro..grauated from coke and burgers to cigs to girls and now straightening himself in a web designing company....houses people verything getting old but never changing..they're waitin for you to go there and change things..give them your support in things they have put away for right decisions...maybe a girl waiting for you..to seek freedom thru your wisdom...lotsa gifts and entertainment for the forever paused kingdom of the world..............you shall try changing the things but then...you wanna fly back here nomatter how horrible its out here..cause you know yourself better here..............................

humdrum,

Your suntali is five now and has started going to school....she would not speak to you unless you get some candy for her.

Your brother has started debating over taking up science or commerce, he has also started debating over proposing fulmaya or rampyrari.

Your langautiyas would now have become some smartasses, who exhibit their impasse' self over coming to United States, but cannot wait you to call them asap. They are also interested in knowing about the money you earned and girls you dated.

That goreto bato must have been paved by now or has become extinct, but do not worry, Gopal's house still remains, obscured by few other houses.

The mountains are still visible, but only from dharahara, gone are the days when you saw them from your rooftop.

The "dhoopi ko bot" still remains cos people care about roses and daisies. Least are they bothered about truncating the tree.

The chirps of sparrows and canaries are lost in the cacophony of metropolis.If you are not a sound sleeper, you may still hear the rooster.

You might wet your eyes when putting on a tika, would take you back to the memory lane when your parents took you to pashupati on saturday and promised you to buy "jeri-swari" on the way back. But it is a momentary feeling dude, you will be alright.

So cheer up chum, be ready for all the shocks and changes. Infact be ready when you depart from them once again, that is the saddest part.

Bon voyage.

U lucky man. Enjoy u r stay. Miss my KTM. Miss running away from city to find peace in Swayambhu. Miss streets of thamel. Miss hanging around in CP & BB. MIss those days.

Don't forget to take gifts for everyone in the family more so in the extended family coz ppl will expect that. I personally always waited for the candies back then. Maybe lotsa candies for the youngsters, cream for the older ladies and some American designed clothes like GAP and Old Navy (they are more affordable) for the teenage guys.

have an enjoyable trip. your loved ones are also wondering how much you've changed in the 4 yrs.

Many thanks to you all for such a kind remarks......!!!!!!!

I hope my past will be the stepping stones for my future...!!!!!!!

HAVE an Awesome time in Nepal.. everytime I go.. I eat so much food!

When I went to Nepal after 3 yrs, things looked very confusing. First, I was driven by my father from the airport, I was at the front seat in the car. Trust me I was braking myself all the time. He as honking like crazy and I even told him to slow down. The roads looked congested, polluted, small streets, dirt everywhere, too many people...oh my Gosh...I caught up with the cold the next day. As the day progressed, I started liking there being with my family, my town, frens, new road ko bato, panipuri, evrything looked charming That were the same places that I had different opinion before but by the end of one week, I just loved everything. Nothing like a home..Places started talking themselves, I remembered all those things I did when I was there....when the time came to leave Nepal I didnt cry infront of my parents but at the airport, I couldnt control...I didnt feel like coming back at all. Infact if I had finished my degree, I dont think I would have been here. My suggestion to u is...things look little diff but u will get used to it and love it...dont stay too long like i did for 3 months, cause u never feel like coming back and even after u come u will get hangover for a month...always make up your mind that u are there for short time...come back atleast a week beofre to give time for hangover.......enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!

WHAT I left Nepal when I was 10...but i love it.. its polluted but u get used to it.. so wrapped up in meeting relatives..doing cheap shopping..eat at peoples home and in bakeries! MOMO for a dollar plate! OMG when i was there this summer I would even go eat before dinner.. I ATE SO MUCH!!! clothes are amazingly cheap.. I volunteered in Teaching and I saw the people from the mountains and got to talk to them.. different perspective! LOVED IT..and there was a bakery cafe right next to teaching..def went to eat there with other volunteers everyday! Def come back when you have to..cause I am so glad I came back two days before school started other wise I would have been so bored! And I def drank the bottled water and water served in restaurants and ate everywhere.. My stomach could handle everything!!! I WANNA GO TO NEPAL AGAIN