I was not lying under the debris

It was Saturday, everyone was at home. My husband and I had planned to go for a Nepali movie “Resham Filili”. We had lunch a little early so as to reach for the movie on time. Our son would not resist himself during the 3 hours movie; hence, I was trying to make him sleep. My husband was still in the kitchen with his parents.

Before I could feel the quake, I suddenly heard the vibrating sound, in some seconds, I could finally realize, it was an earthquake. I held my son and started running towards the main gate. I could hardly walk. We both fell on sofa and then on the floor, somehow we reached the main door. My husband and in -laws were already there trying to keep themselves safe under the door frame. They asked me to hold on them. It was not a good idea to run insanely so we stayed there during the first big shake.

Nobody among us thought we will be alive; nobody had experienced such a big quake ever. We hurriedly moved out of the house when it stopped. But the aftershocks kept coming, one after another. It was such a horrible situation. People were crying, some broke their legs while jumping out of the window, some were praying. I was concerned about my parents, my brother and my sister. I gave up the hope of meeting them ever again. I felt like I was the only saved among them.

To my relief, everyone was safe back at their place. Not a single close relative had any big tragedies. Thankfully we were all safe.

 Because of the network problem, I couldn’t go online for two days. One of my relative called at my home and asked if I was safe and also informed that someone has posted in Facebook that I was missing

When I opened my Facebook for the first time after the earthquake, I was so surprised to see a German friend posted two paragraphs about “missing Banita”. Then I realized media hyped the situation so much that my friend could assume nothing other than me lying under the debris. I replied back that I was safe and everyone close to me was safe.

Thus, I suggest not relying fully on media, please read the personal stories to know about the real situation.

4 Myths about Nepal

We understand your doubt about travelling to Nepal at this time when it's not even been 6 months after the massive earthquake. Probably you have delayed your Nepal travel or even have canceled it. Hence this blog is for clarifying your confusion regarding Nepal travel.

Following are the myths about Nepal

Tourist activities stopped

We agree the tourist flow is not as satisfying as it used to be but we have started receiving tourists. Bookings have started. Earthquake alone is not responsible for the least number of tourists. It's also because of the monsoon season. We are very hopeful and enthusiastically carrying out our daily job. The office starts at its original time. We get inquiries, we deal with it. We already send some groups for trekking. So it's a myth that tourist activities stopped in Nepal.

Thamel is in ruins

Thamel looks perfectly the same. It has never been  ruined. It is as happening as it used to be. All shops, hotels, bars, offices, ATM's, Restaurant are running smoothly. Tourists are seen around Thamel.  Transportation is normal. Taxi is always available, even at late night or in wee hour. Probably Thamel is a least affected place in the earthquake. It seems as if Thamel is welcoming tourist with its open heart.

All heritages in rubble

 It is again a myth that all heritages came to an end. Pashupatinath, Bouddhanath, Bhaktapur and Patan are  very less affected. They are already opened for visitors. However, we lost some temples and monuments of the Kathmandu Durbar square. But this doesn't mean it's not worth visiting. Lumbini is not affected at all. So Nepal still holds its beauty and contains many heritages that should be visited.

 Not worth visiting

When there is not a single reason for not visiting Nepal and there are lots of reasons for visiting Nepal, how could Nepal claimed not worth visiting? Everything that was possible before the earthquake still remains possible. Trekking, touring, rafting, driving, flights and every other adventure are possible. It's a myth that Nepal is not worth visiting.

Woman traveler to Nepal? have a look

One of the things that differentiate us from a tourist is the dress we wear. Generally the first concern of a person after fixing a tour is “what to pack?” and may also wonder what the people in that destination wear?

You may have seen a lot of pictures of Nepalese woman in their traditional wear. But do they wear the same dress in their day to day life? No, traditional dresses are for festivals.

Hence for woman travelers to Nepal, here are some of the dresses they can expect to encounter on a Nepalese woman while they are here.

Saree 

Kurtha Surwal

Jeans

Kurti and leggings 

Maxi

Shorts

Fariya Choli

Cotton Dhoti

Lungi

I witnessed the Tourism recovery

I find myself lucky in a way that I witnessed this earthquake.  But there are people who lost their houses, their loved ones. There is no doubt that this year will remain as one of the unluckiest year in Nepal's' history.

That time when people were busy leaving Nepal. Foreigners were picked up to their respective countries by their respective governments. We helplessly waved our hands to those planes thinking that they were now safe and we were left to die. People left Kathmandu, but earthquake was everywhere in Nepal. we (who lived in Kathmandu) were waiting another quake every moment. Everywhere was a dilemma as to how to start life now?  if those aftershocks never stopped.

But time heals. we developed a habit of having aftershocks. In the meanwhile, my office asked me to write a newsletter to our customers booked for their Nepal tour, requesting them not to cancel their trips. We have started feeling safe, and they were welcomed. we also made a package for those who might have an interest in travelling to Nepal and volunteering in the earthquake affected areas.

Till that time, I was just doing what my office asked me to do. Whenever there was a news about tourism and its recovery, I was asked to write a blog about it. Our office was announced to remain closed for that whole month and we were supposed to work from home. That month came to an end with those uncertainties, those sorrows, those tents, those debris, those empty houses, those tall houses waiting for their owners to come in.

Following  month we started our office again. We were confused how to start now. 

In the meantime I was added to a Facebook group called "Nepal Tourism Recovery".  There were tourism entrepreneurs, members of Nepal tourism Board and many more people related to tourism and interested in tourism. I started with a post about the package I made on Volunteering and Trekking. That package got a very serious criticism. 

While I was defending our package, Social Tours (a travel company) announced the "I am in Nepal" photo campaign. That was the best thing to do at that time to gain back people's confidence in coming to Nepal.  The campaign was simple yet very effective because of its visibility in social media. Tourists who were in Nepal were requested to get a picture with a small banner in their hand saying "I am in Nepal" and that was posted in Facebook.

In no time, many pictures were posted, liked and shared.  I also started searching for ways to recover tourism back in Nepal. But unfortunately there was nothing a content writer could do except writing my opinion and stories.

I never knew who started this group but whoever did, it was the best step taken at that time. I have been seeing they are having meetings on every Wednesday for discussing about the actions and strategies for the Tourism recovery. Many effective steps has already been taken and new ideas are coming.

Although this blog doesn't have any accurate information about what steps were taken, I just wanted to keep a record of those initial steps of the post quake Nepal's tourism recovery.

 

As I witnessed the earthquake, I have also closely witnessed those efforts made by the" Nepal Tourism Recovery"  group. Whenever there will be a talk on Tourism recovery in Nepal, the "Nepal Tourism recovery" group will be mentioned. 

                                                                                                       

Lets recover tourism this way

Unfortunately, recent earthquake changed our identity all over the world.
Before the earthquake,  if anyone asked. "what is one thing that comes to your mind when you hear Nepal?",
then there used to be variety of answers, some would say  "monks and the spinning prayers' some would say "Sherpas", some would say "mountains" and others would say "ethnic diversity and landscape",
but now, upon asked the same question, we get one identical answer "EARTHQUAKE". In such a situation, how can we uplift our tourism sector?

 Now that I have presented the problem, I also have a solution to this.

I literally asked some foreigners "what is the one thing that comes to your mind when I say Nepal?" no doubt, most of them replied Earthquake

But I also got some nice answers like - beautiful country, generous people.

when I analyzed it further, what I found was

Those positive things were answered by those tourists who have already visited Nepal in past.

Then I got an idea, why not?

• Every travel agent appoint at least one person as an ambassador (that person who visited Nepal through their agency)
• ask them to speak about Nepal and encourage others to visit Nepal 

and,

Spread the message that Nepal is much more than just " people waiting for the earthquake to stop and old temples luring in rubble"

After quake Nepal – offers something for everyone

 For writers

 No doubt one day all rubble will be cleared, all lives will be uplifted but there will always be something to write for a writer about the devastating earthquake. Among us who are still alive has at least one interesting story to share. Not only tragic, but also about the united Nepal at that time. Come to Nepal, jot down these real stories and of course you can give your fictional touch, if you like. Either your interest is in fiction or non – fiction, we have lots of stories to share.

For photographers and film makers

These rubbles, homeless people, tents, temporary houses, and other results of earthquake will remain a history. This is a good opportunity for photographers and filmmakers to capture these all and keep them safe for keeping a record. And of course regardless the quake, Nepal is still very beautiful. You can always have the eyes comforting photographs of the beautiful scenery.

For disability organizations

This earthquake has left many of us physically disabled. People are in dilemma, how to start a life now.  A person who used to earn for his whole family, now finds it difficult to carry on his daily activities. Therefore, if you are sincerely willing to help disables, come to Nepal and make a change.

For counselors

someday back I saw a news headline about the increased number of suicides in Nepal following the earthquake. I am not sure if that news is true or not but what I can imagine is lots of people lost their loved ones, their house, their own body parts, their courage, their mission, leaving them helpless and hopeless. If you are a psychologist, you can come to Nepal and examine yourself while helping these helpless.

For architectures

houses have turned to rubble, though we are struggling to rebuild ourselves, if you are architecture, your ideas are always welcomed. Come to Nepal and help Nepal rise from rubble. In the meanwhile you can have sightseeing, trekking and of course everything that Nepal can offer.

For celebrities

You are made a celebrity because you have impacted people and if you are a celebrity; you have that capacity to impact people. Come to Nepal, set an example that Nepal is still safe, show that you are in Nepal and ultimately help revive tourism back.

For Non resident Nepalese

No matter if you live in Nepal or not, if you belong to Nepal, then it’s for sure that you want to help Nepal. Provide your presence either as a tourist or as a volunteer. Nepal needs you.

For a normal tourist

Last but not the least, tourists are the main source of income of Nepal’s economy. Thus come to Nepal, spend in Nepal while exploring Nepal. Tourists are considered a guest and guests are considered a god here.

10 cultural tidbits of Nepal

1.      Joint Families

 Here still exist a tradition of joint family. Generally 3 generations live together- grandparents, parents and children.

2.      Swings in Dasain

Dasain is the main festival in Nepal. It is celebrated for 15 days. It's a tradition that people should leave the floor for at least few seconds on the main day of Dasain and for this Swings are constructed with Bamboos and Rope in open areas.

3.      Deusi and Bhailo in Tihar

Tihar is the second main festival celebrated in Nepal. This is celebrated for 5 days. On the 3rd day, girls go for Bhailo in the evening till night. Girls gather and go from one house to another singing and dancing, for this they are given money and sweets prepared for celebrating Tihar. On the 4th day boys go for Deusi, Deusi is similar to bhailo but it is just for boys.

4.      Tika ,Chura, Pote, Sidoor

Nepali married woman wears Tika and Sindoor in her forehead, pote in the neck and chura in hands as a symbol of her marriage and it is believed it is related to her husband's life span.

5.      Impure woman

Woman is considered impure for the 4 days of her menstruation. She is not allowed to enter in kitchen and prayers rooms.

6.      Bahun woman pierced nose

Nose piercing is not just a fashion in Nepal. It's a tradition that a Bahun girl should have pierced her nose before her marriage.

7.      Son's importance

Having a son is very important in Nepal. It is believed without a presence of son the cremation of a dead body.

8.      Dowry in marriage 

Here still exist a system of Dowry in marriages.

9.      Husband - a god

A woman is supposed to see her husband as god. If her feet touches him, she should bow in front of him. She is supposed to eat after he eats. She even drinks a handful of water used to clean his feet and it's called "logne ko khutta ko jal" - a sacred water.

10.  Mal mass

 To adjust lunar months to solar year, Lunar calendar adds one extra month every third year. This extra month is known by various names: Adhik Maas, Mal Maas, Purushottam Maas and Malimmacha. This is the thirteenth month of the lunar calendar. Therefore lunar calendar has 13 months in every 3 years. During Mal Maas people keep fasting.  Hindus believe, Pursottam Mas is capable of washing away all sins bringing happiness and prosperity. During this month huge amount of charities are performed.