Kathmandu Motorcyclists Weave Around Locals, Hit Tourists

I read the article "My Impression of Kathmandu" in The Rising Nepal with interest, having just returned myself from a visit there.

With regard to Ms Hall’s method of crossing the road safely by keeping others between herself and oncoming traffic – the Kathmandu motorcyclist is well aware of this ploy and uses his dexterity – especially on pedestrian crossing – to weave around the locals and hit the tourist, as I found to my cost when crossing the road in Patan.

Apologies from the culprit were profound, together with offers of payment for any damages. However, elderly people like myself can suffer a degree of shock, which only became apparent when my wife insisted on calling the hotel doctor to check me out. He proclaimed that the bruising to my leg was mainly superficial and charged me $501!

I suppose I should have written to the motorcyclist, Maheshwar Bhattarai, to take up his offer of compensation, however, I just hope he will be more careful in future.

On the other hand, if he reads this he may care to donate this sum of money to medical care for the children of Bhatti Danda, a village near Dhulikhel. When we visited these wonderful people in March, many of the children were suffering from chest infections and we understood there is a very high risk of TB in Kavre.

Alternatively, he could offer a donation to the Himal Jyoti English School in Bhatti Danda, where the dedicated team of teachers instil a knowledge of self discipline into the pupils – something he could study himself!

We have visited Nepal now three times and are already looking forward to our next visit. We have the highest regard for the people of Nepal (except perhaps for some of the motorcyclists) and would remind Ms Hall that even tourists’ guides have to try to earn a living.

Peter Clarke
St Albans, England