Going to Nepal

I was there two 1 and half years ago. Internet access is no problem in Kathmandu but maybe slow. People in Nepal are friendly so you shouldn’t have much problems. i never heard of “Freak Street” what is it? let me know if you have any more Qs.

Yeah, Shahriar, when I was there a year ago, freak street was healthy and very comfortable compared to the congested trekking-outfitter area of Thamel, where I stayed. Unless you are going trekking, I would definitely lean towards Freak Street, but then again, I don’t think it is as close to Durbar Square, a great place for street food and people watching. Yes, internet was always available, not too hard to find, and the cheapest of any country I’ve been to.

There might still be a curfew though, if it matters. I know I broke it my first night there without realizing it.

Richard: Freak Street used to be a hippies paradise in the 70’s.

Joey: I’m still doing research, but why is there a curfew?

I’m hoping to visit some temples and stay with the monks in the Himalayas, other than that, I want to just experience the country like the locals, and get some good shots of daily life in Nepal.

Hey Shahriar,

Just got back, Freak street is still there…much subdued not as roaring like in the 70s…Thamel is the new back-packers home…somehow the night life has got quieter…Rumdoodle bar in Thamel is still rocking, advise you to go after the elections as the Maoist are creating havoc in the rural areas specially in the western parts, Lukla , your entry point for the Himlayas is still good.

Have they set a date for elections yet? Last time I checked, they weren’t in sight.

And yeah, this was the reason for the curfew. I believe it was lifted briefly some time in the last year, but put back in. Probably the reason for the tamed night life though.

Rumours…...hearing that they plan to do so after the winter is out !

Freak Street is now officially known as Jochhe, though drivers don’t always know this. Jochhe/Freak Street doesn’t have the conveniences of Thamel, but it’s not a pulsating neon tourist-zoo, either. It’s connected to Durbar Square and it feels more genuine. Internet is everywhere, but slow slow slow…

If you’re looking to shoot scenes of daily life, consider staying in nearby Bhaktapur (or even Panauti if you don’t mind being a bit out of town). Both towns are much better preserved, much more the “real deal” than either Thamel or Jochhe. I like them both.

As for elections, it seems they’ve been postponed “indefinitely”. Whether or not indefinitely means “forever” is an open question. But if you end up visiting during election time, your “street scenes” might be a whole lot more interesting.

how you doin,

i,ve been in and out of nepal a few times this year, longest stay about 2 months,

the general feeling i got was that the international community was forcing or strongly advising that nepal push forward their first democratic election, in july and august they had set a date for November and the UN was supposedly going to over see the election process, by the sounds this hasn’t happened. probably the best place to get info is www.oneworld.net or you will get nepalesse news on the net.

Kathmandu is totally user friendly, apart from obvious tourist headaches in thamel,mountains are beautiful, pokhara and these places are holiday zones for over-equiped ramblers most of the time.

now the impression i got from travelling in the country around the kathmadu valley and more northern towards the tibet border, especially around the more maoist areas that they still hold a lot of control, i seen no major arms in peoples pocession, but plenty of makeshift road blocks, but i seen a lots of planks of wood covered in 6 inch nails which could stop a truck, a bit like home made stoppers used by police, and id pretty much say they don’t stop westerners but i would probably put a small wager that they are stopping locals for taxs, all my drivers were stopped and they explained that i was coming from tibet and they were let through.

the great thing i found in nepal that everyone loves to talk politics, i have a friend from america who is working in the west of nepal, the next time i chat i will get the low down and drop a message.

drop me a line if you want anymore info, know a few nice places to hide away.

all the best, safe travels rich

Just coming back from Nepal/Kathmandu..
It doesn’t look like elections are anywhere close to happen as the Maoist are dong anything they can to avoid them (they benefit from the current mess, and elections would have them lose part of their current power). The Nepali again are paying the price for the incompetence of the political class which only focus seems to be how to get rich fast.
However, after years of turmoil the country (besides the Terai region)is calm (no curfew), and the tourists are back, which is very good news for scores of Nepali who rely on tourism for their income.
Ineternet slow and mobile communications sketchy, unreliable.

Hi Shahriar,
I was there for a month and a half this summer. Planning to go back soon. If you give me more details about what you’re going to do I might connect you with people.
PM if you want. Freak Street is a good option, stay away from Thamel…if you want to avoid tourist harrassment;)Tibet Peace guest House is also good, near Thamel, great place, atmosphere, staff etc.

The elections have been postponed to ”no later than mid April”, so it might be on when you come. But it won’t come as a surprise if it’s postponed again, it would be the 3rd time! Expect some chaos.

There’s always some festivals here. In April the main thing is the red and the white Machhendranath (seto and rato). They are both mainly held in Patan (part of Kathmandu). Also watch out for the Holi festival, kids are throwing water balloons at everybody.

Tourist arrivals have doubled this year compared to last year. April is the end of high-season with the weather warming up before the downpour begins. You can still go to the mountains but bring a raincoat.

Generally people are friendly and don’t mind to have their photos taken. Freak St. is a good place to stay. Locals also know it as Basantapur. But also consider staying in Patan.

No curfew these days. Nothing since April last year in fact.

Good travels!

Spent a few weeks in Nepal about three months ago, just as the political situation started to spill out to the streets in sign of frustration. On my way by “direct” bus from KTM to Delhi I talked to a lot of locals (only locals or Tibetan refugees in the bus trying to get into India and beyond) most of them agreed on one point: there will be a civil war (however spread or contained) sooner or later.
Some two to three hundred Nepalese go out of the country… every day. The situation gets worse day by day as the hope for some stability (and hence future) has been already declining for the past ten years.

I warmly recommend getting out of the tourist trap that is KTM and heading out to smaller villages. Villages off the awfully beaten path but still foreigner friendly (what part of Nepal isn’t?), such as Bandipur, for example (instead of Pokhara), to get a better look at what’s up with the country.

As I travelled in the country I encountered some signs of hostility when moving around by private car. Stick to busses or tourist cars.

If you decide to stay only in KTM, I recommend the Patan area. Quieter and much less of a tourist trap than Thamil.
As for the internet: access advertised pretty much everywhere but only a few places have any decent connection. I won’t venture out to tell you which places enjoy the best connections as by April it will all most probably have changed.
Concerning people: they are as accessible as anywhere in the world as long as you show respect and interest. Concerning places: it was a true struggle to get anywhere while I was there (bad roads, abundant landslides, not the most reliable of bus-services, etc.).

All the best and much more!
Julia

Thank you for all your replies. I have now booked the trip. I’m leaving Oslo on 15th of feb. and I’ll be staying in the country for 4 months.