Traveling Through Nepal

The Nepali people have one of the richest histories in the world, recorded as far back as the Neolithic age. Theirs is a culture of invention, dramatic survival, and a dogged pursuit of peace.

 

Kingdoms ruling the Kathmandu Valley employed cutting-edge civil engineering techniques like brick-firing and self-renewing water management to settle in the dramatically differing environments of the region—from tropical savannas to shrublands to coniferous forests. Their ingenuity is still seen today throughout the region, as in this mountain-side town. You can practically feel the mountain air on your face.

 

Nepal is famously the cradle of Buddhism—the storied birthplace of the Buddha himself. No matter where you go in Nepal, the art and visual calm of Buddhist culture encircles you.

 

The Sherpa people who live in the Himalayas offer some of the most delicious spins on homestyle cooking you’ll find in the world. You might be particularly taken with Sherpa stews, which will warm you at chilly elevations. Similar in texture to Mexican pozole, these stews are typically made with hominy, kidney beans, potatoes, cumin, turmeric, coriander, and a hearty meat like pork or lamb. (My stomach is growling.)

 

And who could forget that Nepal is home to Mt. Everest, the highest peak on earth? The spiritual impact of this vision is hard to describe—which is perhaps why it has had many names throughout history, several of which are variations on “Holy Mountain.”

 

A quote we love that was attributed to the Buddha: Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.

 

Perhaps you’ll light a candle, so to speak, and share the light with someone else today.