Wednesday, April 5, 2006

Sylvia Ehrhardt, Berlin, Germany

At the beginning of November 2005 I had the chance of taking part in an internship by the German organization called Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung in Nepal. I have got to know the only Hindu realm with the highest mountain of the world during my several trekking tours some years before. Every time I have enjoyed my staying in Nepal. But now I have the chance to know the daily life of the Nepali citizenship far away from the tourist area. Therefore I was flying in the plane with a big anticipation and I was very excited what will happen in the next seven months (after finishing my internship I was able to stay a little bit longer in Nepal to go on trekking tour, visit friends and so on. So I was totally seven months here.)

The first impression from the Nepali mentality I have got at the airport in Kathmandu: after landing about 120 passengers had looked for their packages. Nobody knew why but our aircraft was loaded in Doha only with about one third of the luggage. The rest stayed in Doha, the capital of Qatar. Also two hours delayed we landed in Kathmandu. After security checking we were waiting for our packages. But the conveyor belt stopped after 10 minutes. Further 15 minutes were passed away and nothing had happened. Now the first passengers became restless and asked the airport personal. But they did not have any answer or idea respectively.

After the next 20 minutes everybody was sure that no package would come today.

Now everybody went to the lost and found office. One man was sitting there – masses came to him – and everybody had the same wish. But he kept cool and asked every single passenger for their luggage: the size, color etc. Communication problems did also their own. But suddenly I had to laugh only: in Germany such a big time expense will be unconceivable. But so different to Nepal: here they take time for every single guest ;-)

Three hours later I left the airport with my lost and found form. And I had the hope to get my luggage on the next day. And really, 24 hours later I have got it.

After this short adventure now back to the internship by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) in Nepal. Dav Raj Dahal, the Head of the office, welcomed me with the words: "our office is also your office." A really good feeling. Nav Raj Dahal, the Administrative Manager, offered me typical Nepali Bonbon - Hajmola Candy. I expected sweet taste but it was spicy and so delicious. They become my favorite sweets besides to Pusta Kari.

My main field of research works was Gender issues. The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Nepal work together with many different women organizations representing different interests of women. Therefore I have got a unique summary and insight into the social and political situation of the women in Nepal. Besides I took part in various seminars and workshops supporting by the FES.

From the political view I was traveling to Nepal when the Maoist has announced a one-sided ceasefire. It was broken up on 2 nd January 2006. A municipal poll had taken place in Kathmandu on 8 th February. Two and one week before there were many demonstrations organizing by the Seven-Parties-Alliance. After finishing the ceasefire the Maoist had also announced a lot of activities. That means there were many bomb attacks outside and even inside the Kathmandu-Valley on the 14 th January 2006. Therefore the government intensified the military- and policepersons; they had intended overnight curfews and on one day even a whole-day-curfew. Five days before the elections the Maoist have announced a new Bandha and only few cars, buses or taxis you were able to see in the streets. But in the evening after the poll they had broken up the bandha.

In these weeks of uncertainty the daily life of most of the Nepali people was going on.

Every Nepal-Traveller knows surely the hospitality. During a picnic trip with more than 200 Nepali we were invited we could also got know their singing condition. In the bus, during our stay in Pharping and after driving back home the Nepali people were singing and dancing the whole time. They are never got tired. After coming back on the Ring road surrounding Kathmandu we had to wait more than one hour in the street because of a blockade for the Crown Prince Paras. All the Nepali people have also danced and sung in the bus without thinking of a break. And everything was doing without alcohol.

The warmth of Nepali people – like during the picnic, weddings, and birthday parties, naming or even in the streets – their sensitivity among them and their spirituality made a deep impression on me. I will take a lot of these to Germany with me. For all I say dherai danyabad (Nepali language for thank you very much) to the people in Nepal.