Nepal is celebrated for its amazing scenery and breathtaking views, but that is no depiction of Kathmandu. Undergoing heavy construction, most roads in the city are filled with loose bricks and potholes so every step you take must be done so with caution. In Kathmandu, dust, stray dogs, questionable smells and absolute chaos surround you. In fact, they swallow you.
And somehow, amidst this chaos, I’ve begun to feel a sense of belonging. For three weeks I’ve lived in my place and for two and a half weeks I’ve worked at IDS. While I won’t rush to say that I’ve yet developed a routine, I have become somewhat comfortable with my surroundings.
I now know where to find the best momos, which tailors to trust, and where to buy the freshest vegetables. I recognize most, if not all, items on a restaurant menu and I’ve even joined a local gym. I’ve found a shortcut from work to the bakery and I can haggle for a reasonable cab fare to a nearby district.
I can share the sidewalk with stray dogs without fearing eternal rabies. I can cross a busy street in confidence and I trust (no matter how small the space) that the bus/car won’t run me over. I can somehow also fall asleep despite the incessant barking of dogs, yelling of roamers, or singing of my neighbour.
Though I have nowhere near mastered the language of Nepali, I can speak enough to survive – I can ask the shopkeeper across the street for a calling card and I know enough to follow most conversations at my workplace.
And that’s how it hit me. Kathmandu is loud. It’s messy. It’s chaotic. Often it’s exhausting. And it’s Home.
Despite all there is to dislike about this city, I’ve fallen in love. Kathmandu is alive. Its pulse is vibrant and its activity is dynamic. From the fruit vendors roaming the streets yelling for sales, to the little boy who sings the days of the week from his room window every morning, to the city’s rich history and jaw-dropping architecture, there is so much to appreciate about Kathmandu.
And it’s because of this same appreciation that I’ve begun to feel a sense of belonging. Though Canada and Nepal could not be any more different, I see myself adapting and changing to the ways of the country. As things become familiar, I’ve begun to fully grasp the extent of my stay in Nepal. It’s both exhilarating and unbelievably nerve-wracking.
Amidst the madness, I’ve found refuge. I’ve found home.
And somehow, amidst this chaos, I’ve begun to feel a sense of belonging. For three weeks I’ve lived in my place and for two and a half weeks I’ve worked at IDS. While I won’t rush to say that I’ve yet developed a routine, I have become somewhat comfortable with my surroundings.
I now know where to find the best momos, which tailors to trust, and where to buy the freshest vegetables. I recognize most, if not all, items on a restaurant menu and I’ve even joined a local gym. I’ve found a shortcut from work to the bakery and I can haggle for a reasonable cab fare to a nearby district.
I can share the sidewalk with stray dogs without fearing eternal rabies. I can cross a busy street in confidence and I trust (no matter how small the space) that the bus/car won’t run me over. I can somehow also fall asleep despite the incessant barking of dogs, yelling of roamers, or singing of my neighbour.
Though I have nowhere near mastered the language of Nepali, I can speak enough to survive – I can ask the shopkeeper across the street for a calling card and I know enough to follow most conversations at my workplace.
And that’s how it hit me. Kathmandu is loud. It’s messy. It’s chaotic. Often it’s exhausting. And it’s Home.
Despite all there is to dislike about this city, I’ve fallen in love. Kathmandu is alive. Its pulse is vibrant and its activity is dynamic. From the fruit vendors roaming the streets yelling for sales, to the little boy who sings the days of the week from his room window every morning, to the city’s rich history and jaw-dropping architecture, there is so much to appreciate about Kathmandu.
And it’s because of this same appreciation that I’ve begun to feel a sense of belonging. Though Canada and Nepal could not be any more different, I see myself adapting and changing to the ways of the country. As things become familiar, I’ve begun to fully grasp the extent of my stay in Nepal. It’s both exhilarating and unbelievably nerve-wracking.
Amidst the madness, I’ve found refuge. I’ve found home.
Almost brought a tear to my eye :P
ReplyDeleteI hope you have many more amazing times there ahead of you! :)