Two worlds together and yet apart
Before entering Nepal I was pretty sure that it would be quite similar to India, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. From the moment you cross the border an endless stretch of peace awaits you. Less traffic, less sounding horn and epic sceneries. Sadly this beauty is unmistakeably combined with cold during the month of January, although this also may be beneficial as this keeps many tourists away. Prices lower, places are less crowded, people are happier to see you and all you need is an extra jumper. Luckily prices are effectively lower in non-touristy places as you would expect them to be, while this was certainly not the case in India. The lower the amount of tourists, the more they see you as a walking ATM. Crossing the border from India to Nepal also amazingly shows how women rights don’t have to be related to any religion. Many regions we crossed in India were Hindu, as is the main part of Nepal, but the amount of women you see working, you see walking on the streets as the evening falls and the ease of communication (even without a common language) significantly increases. Of course this are only first impressions, but they give a totally different feel to a country, especially as a woman. Without a doubt I would travel alone in Nepal, while my gut feeling tells me this may not be as good an idea in the non-touristy parts of India. For sure it would be possible, but possible never implies easy. I should add here that this may be explained by the fact that India most likely comprises a huge amount of places that aren’t used to foreigners yet, while this does not seem the case in Nepal.
India, my first love in Asia. Nepal, nature you can only dream of, the garden you cannot live without. Blue waters reflecting the beauty above, mountains taking your breath away (literally when making your way up) and sunsets plunging the surroundings in a magical light. India and Nepal may share a huge stretch of border, but apart from that they are totally different countries. Something like two sisters growing up together, totally different people figuring out their place in the world while trying to get along. Together and yet apart.
Another country that stole a piece of my heart, but isn’t it wonderful to be able to give your heart to the world? So much fighting, so much dispute and yet such an amazing world we live in. A blue planet we get to discover while we are alive. Instead of fighting wars, doing a job that makes us unhappy or discriminating against people we may not know, let’s think and try to figure out what we have to offer to this world that makes it an even more beautiful place every day. Why be unhappy if your happiness and enthusiasm can inspire others? You may not have figured out what makes you happy, nor have I, but every step along the way is one where you can take this thought into consideration.
