20th of April, 2023.
Hitchhiking in Nepal.
As I mentioned a few times already, the roads in Nepal are really bad. In most parts, they are going under restauration, so apart from the roads being terrible, there is the whole mess of construction. And the worst I have ever faced in Nepal is when I am leaving Dhulikhel.
It is the worst mix of dust and mud I have ever seen! In order to make the road wider, they are breaking down the hills, which makes everywhere extremely dusty. But then, to carry on with the procedures of restoring /building the road, they need to add water at some point, which makes a thick and sticky mud out of that dust. And guess what? I have to walk through all of that because there’s no way I can hitchhike around here.
You must learn something important in life: as more you complain about a situation and add negative feelings to it, worst it gets. You have to overcome anything bad that is happening to you, accept it and embrace it, so you can finally be done with, to leave behind you, and attract good things again to your path.
I didn’t do that when I was leaving Dhulikhel. I was so angry with the roads and I kept that feeling with me. I wanted to leave the place as soon as possible and start to hitchhike again. The result? I dropped one of my socks, which was hanging on my backpack to dry. I only notice, of course, when I finally arrived to a place where I could hitchhike. Now, when you have only two pairs of socks and no money, you must to come back and look for it if you lost one of them. And that’s what I did. I drop off my backpacks in a house where I see a family hanging around. They cannot speak English but they understand when I explain to them, showing the remaining sock, what happened. I go back, through all the dust and mud, and this time uphill, on the search of my lost sock. And I get it!
Shree Ram and her husband are going do Dolalghat, a small town not so far from here, but due to the conditions around here, I decide to take it. They are lovely people and it seems they feel very sorry that they cannot take me any further.
The next couple to stop is going to visit their parents for the day, and are bringing many groceries. Dhawalama and Janam stop by their shop to get some more things, and they give me some cold drinks and some delicious snacks. They drop me off in a place called Balefi, where I should take left while they will continue straight.
It is funny to be in this village, in the middle of the country, and hitchhiking. Somewhere nearby here, there is a famous route for tourists who want to do rafting. But not here.
The couple actually talked with people around here before they left. They informed the people about my situation and where I am going, so they have already found a truck with two men who are going that way. I had told myself that I wouldn’t get lifts in trucks but because they arranged, I didn’t want to be rude. Oh, boy, I was right about my instincts before.
Imagine the worst roller coaster ever. Now, imagine that it is done over bumpy tracks. Laugh. It was really bad this lift of mine. The roads were worse than ever, and the truck… well, the truck has no shock absorption at all! It would be actually fun, entertaining and interesting from the point of view of a new experience, if it wasn’t for my laptop. I was so worried about the screen getting cracked that I was holding really tight to my small backpack. Middle time, I also tried to take some photos because the views were actually great, with the river down the road. Photos were not great, but at least existent.
The guys are going to a different direction at certain point, so I am on my own again. This municipality where I am heading to, the one famous for the rafting and bungee jumping, is called Bhotekoshi. But I am going to this specific town called Jalbire, out of this “famous route” for rafting, because I thought I saw a nice suspension bridge over there. I was wrong.
While trying to make sure I am on the right way, I ask for information to the people in this small village. It is a bit difficult for them to understand what am I asking, but luckily, we manage. Then they offer me some water, which is awesome!
Now, what could be possibly worse than a truck in these terrible roads of Nepal? What? What? A motorcycle! And in which vehicle I decide to get a lift next? Yep! A motorcycle. I just didn’t want to keep waiting any longer, and there were barely any cars coming this way, only motorcycles.
At least I arrive at once to the bridge. But boy, I suffered!
And the bridge was not there. Perhaps a bit further? But then no, I decide that enough is enough. Although is nice to come all this way in a root which no other foreigners ever come, and see the total and complete astonishment in the local faces, I decide is time to get real and turn back.
I will not worry much about getting further back today, though. I have passed many cute suspension bridges on my way here, and I just want to get back to one of them, take some lovely photos, and then sit by the river and rest.
And that’s what I do! I get to one of the beautiful bridges, I take some photos, and then I get all the way down to the river and relax and enjoy the view and the sound of the water running, while I have my popcorn and my juice.
I am in a village called Batese, as I would get to know later. After some incredible time by the river, I decide to come up the hills and ask some of the local families if I can pinch my tent in their land. And I must do that before it gets dark.
I am most welcome to the Parajuli’s family farm. They of course seem very surprised by my presence at first, but we all get along pretty well soon. They are a lovely and kind family, living a very simple life in their land. They have corn and wheat, some fruits and vegetables, and also a few buffaloes. The members of the family are Upendra, Laxmi, Sarita, Biplab, Bijaya and Sudarsan. They also have the most incredible view from up here. I know it looks foggy in the photos but you must trust me, it looks gorgeous once you are here!
Apart from the family members living here, a cousin whose parents have a house nearby is visiting. He and his family actually live in Kathmandu, but they are just spending some days in the countryside. He can speak a bit of English so it is nice to have some interaction with the family with his help.
We have dinner in a lovely room made out of clay, where the food is prepared. I really think it looks wonderful, but unfortunately, I cannot take a proper photo with my camera. We all sit in a circle and eat together. We have dal bhat and some fresh buffalo milk. This is a real nice, deep culture immersion. And I love it! This is exactly what I am always looking for with my travels. I am so fortunate to have found this family!
They insist I should sleep inside with the kids, instead of in my tent. I would love to stay in my tent because the mountain air is lovely but I don’t want to deny their kind offer. I sleep in the same room with all the children, in a single bed. The other members of the family take the next room.
Next morning, we all wake up early, and after some tea, two of the boys walk with me in a different path from the one I came yesterday. They say it is a shortcut to a busy road where I can catch a lift to Kathmandu.
10 Years Around the World 