Our arrival in Nepal was equal parts fascinating and overwhelming. Kathmandu’s streets were a nonstop stream of honking motorbikes, narrow alleys, and people trying to sell us hash. Amid the chaos, we visited a few beautiful temples, which felt like calm pockets in a noisy maze. After one day, we knew we needed a break from the city.

We escaped to a quiet guesthouse overlooking Begnas and Rupa Lakes for eleven nights. Life slowed down completely—writing, painting, eating delicious homemade food, and waiting for the clouds to lift so we could see the Himalayas. We caught the occasional glimpse of the Annapurna Range, just enough to keep us excited.

A jungle walk around the lake led to a surprise encounter with a troupe of rhesus macaques climbing trees. We also discovered tiny local restaurants serving meals for just a few dollars, always run by kind families who made us feel welcome.

Simple Living in the Hills
Between painting sessions, we helped a café create a “Nepali quesadilla” using chapati and cheese when they ran out of bread. We visited a small temple, crossed a suspension bridge over Rupa Lake, and returned several times to the local “Buddha Restaurant,” where ingredients came straight from the garden. Being here reminded us how disconnected most of us are from the land.

We joined a send-off celebration for a group of motorcycle-riding women—complete with tikas and flower garlands—and walked through town to buy a replacement toilet seat (I accidentally broke ours). On the way, we witnessed a monkey fight, which felt very on-brand for Nepal.

The guesthouse family quickly became like a second family. They surprised us with a traditional photo shoot, dressing us in wedding-style outfits. Our final night included a farewell dinner and dance party with new friends from Nepal and abroad. Leaving was harder than expected.

In Chitwan National Park, the adventure continued. On the way to the trailhead we encountered a local character who didn’t appreciate our Jeep. We spent the night in a jungle tower overlooking the river. No tigers, but we spotted crocodiles, a couple of rhinos, and a civet cat. Sunrise from the tower was unforgettable.

Before leaving Nepal, we returned to Kathmandu for one last stretch—and I volunteered with a new initiative called the University of Nepal. They don’t have a campus yet and are currently operating out of a smoky building that was damaged in the recent riots and government unrest.

I held a workshop for staff and students on how to create promotional videos, and I filmed interviews with the university administration for a positioning video I’ll be producing over the coming months. It’s challenging to create something for an institution that is still more vision than reality, but it felt meaningful to help them take their first steps toward establishing their identity.

Our final days were spent visiting the Boudha Stupa, catching up with friends we’d met earlier, and soaking in the last bits of Kathmandu’s energy. Nepal surprised us at every turn—with its hospitality, its scenery, and its spirit. Tomorrow, we head to Thailand, grateful for the people and places that made this month so memorable.

Randy and I are already planning our return trip. There is so much more to see.