Beggars and Touts
Dealing with beggars is part of travelling in Nepal, as in most developing countries. The pathos might initially get to you, as well it should, but you will probably adjust to it fairly quickly. A thornier dilemma, which will plague you as long as you're in Nepal, is how to cope with panhandling kids and pushy touts. A small number of bona fide beggars make an honest living from bakshish (alms). Hindus and Buddhists alike have a long and honourable tradition of giving to lepers and the disabled, as well as sadhus and monks. Destitute women make up another large contingent of the begging population: it's terrifyingly easy for a Nepali woman to find herself alone in the world, either widowed or divorced - perhaps for failing to bear a son or because of a dowry dispute. There are no unemployment benefits in Nepal, and the state pension for senior citizens is just Rs100 a year; anyone who can't work and has no family for support generally turns to begging. Few would choose to do so if they had an alternative. Giving is, of course, a personal decision. You might resolve only to give to the most needy-looking, or the most persistent, or the most dignified. You might conclude that almsgiving only treats the symptoms of poverty, and decide to support a charity trying to address the causes instead. On the other hand, you could argue that direct giving gets 100 percent of the money to the target, with no administration, red tape or corruption. At any rate, it's important to give the matter some thought. In the hills, ailing locals will occasionally approach foreigners for medicine , knowing that they usually carry first-aid kits. It's probably best not to make any prescriptions unless you're qualified to diagnose the illness. However, before leaving the country you can donate unused medicines to the dispensary at Kathmandu's Bir Hospital, which distributes them to the destitute, or to the Himalayan Buddhist Meditation Centre in Kathmandu, which gives them to monks.
www.hardrocktreks.comLaxman says "Nepal is the best adventure travel destination offering wide range of trekking, rafting, and cultural tours. Birth place of lord Buddha, the land of Mount Everest and the holiest pilgrimage destination for the Hindus is an another identity of this country.
" Trekking in Nepal Himalayanepalguidetrek says "Nepal guide trek offer trekking and tour in nepal himalya, trek to tibet, everest base camp trek, annapurna trek, langtang trekking" www.nepaltravellers.comYour Guide To Himalayas: says "Kathmandu-based tour operator provides trekking and adventure tours in Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan, and Indian regions. Includes camping, peak climbing, jungle safaris, and rafting." Nepal LoverPatric Lee says "Nepal is a simple country with poverty and unemployment its main concerns. Vist Nepal with an open heart, learn to love its people who are overly-hospitable, cheerful and helpful. A few simple Nepali phrases would get you around such as Dhanybad (thank you), Kati-ho (how much) also learn the numbers 1-1000, it would prove useful when you ask for the price or try to bargain down. Always have a ready smile and do not bear grudges. Because of poverty, businessmen and taxi-drivers will try to fleece you for as much as possible. Be aware of the prices of taxi trips to and from your hotel so you do not get fleeced. Ask your reception desk for the amount needed to travel to town or the next village etc. Be easy going and life will be a breeze there. The country is so beautiful you will not want to leave, but of course the villages are always dirty and littered with rubbish. Just bear with it and you will have an enjoyable time."
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