Posted by NG Yow Thye on December 08, 1999 at 23:20:49:
In Reply to: Another thing to note posted by jeff on December 07, 1999 at 09:06:31:
Hello jeff and carl,
Both of you made very illuminating observations
about Nepali and their way of life. I have to agree
that what you mentioned are true. I had a similar
experience when I was in Nepal. I went to the Anna. circuit
just last month with my girlfriend. We hired a
porter-guide and during meal times, I notice that
he rarely joins us during meal times. He declined
even after i invited him to join us. When I questioned him why,
he said that the tables we are using are for the
tourist. He also mentioned that he will be eating Dhal
Bhat with his hands and this is very unsightly! It
may upset some tourist! I was shocked.
Another thing that disturbed me was that the typical
Nepali does not have much trust in his countrymen.
The Nepali govt. is plague with corruption is a
well known fact. The laymen is fustrated with how
the country is run. One a separate occasion, we met
another trekking guide in KTM. He said that
"this country is run by 99% bad people and 1%
good people". He added that the police can arrest
an innocent man while freeing the guilty but richer man.
I think that corruption has eaten its way into the core
of the typical Nepali's life.
These "not so nice" things about Nepal must be viewed
in light of the fact that the average Nepali's annual income
is about US$170. An average trekker brings into Nepal 5 to 6
times that amount. It is not surprising that most are willing
to bend over backwards just to please the tourist. I think with
these things mind, I think we have a social and economic
responsibility when we travel through Nepal.
Yow Thye