55 facts about Nepal through the eyes of Russians

Nepal - is one of the most unique countries in Asia. Despite its closeness and dependence on India, it has a special charm and draws its originality.

We spent in Nepal a month - celebrated the New Year in the company of Nepalis and Europeans in the bustling Kathmandu, go to trekking to Annapurna, paragliding among the majestic Himalayas and live a relaxed life in the beautiful city of Pokhara in Nepal family, where we were received as the next of kin.

55 facts about Nepal through the eyes of Russians

We talked a lot with local, learning about life, worries, problems and dreams of ordinary people ate at one "table-cloth" on the floor. According to the results of our stay, we have compiled 55 facts about this amazing country.

1. In Nepal from India can be reached on foot. The border between the two countries is very conditional - Indians and Nepalis move freely, and foreigners need to be careful not to accidentally slip past the border guard.

2. The visa for 2 weeks or a month, you can get an entry into the country - at the airport or at the border crossing.

3. In some buses prohibit carry large bags and backpacks in the cabin - they were being taken to the roof in order to fit more people in the salon. Since the inside of all the passengers still do not fit, the rest go along with things - on the roof.

4. One of the sacred places in Nepal - a stone in Lumbini, near which according to legend, the Buddha was born.

5. The state flag of Nepal - nonrectangular only flag in the world (it consists of two connected triangles).

6. The difference from Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) in Nepal is very atypical - it is 5 hours and 45 minutes.

7. Due to the lack of rich natural resources, landlocked, underdeveloped agriculture and transport infrastructure, Nepal is one of the most backward and poorest countries in the world.

55 facts about Nepal through the eyes of Russians

8. 90% of the goods and products imported into Nepal from India.

.. 9. Thamel in Kathmandu - the epicenter of tailoring fake, mainly sports clothing brands: Deuter, Salewa, North Face, Columbia, etc. Things sew pretty high quality, and they are several times cheaper than the original

55 facts about Nepal through the eyes of Russians

10. About a third of women in Nepal are working in the tourism sector, mainly guides in the Himalayas.

11. Nepal - the only country in the world where life expectancy for men more than women

55 facts about Nepal through the eyes of Russians

12. In the capital, Kathmandu, electricity generated is not enough to ensure at the same time the whole city, so the electricity is turned alternately in different areas, as scheduled.

13. During the winter months in the homes of very cold, the central heating system does not exist, and the electric heater, as a rule, do not use - it's expensive, and electricity is not always.

14. In many homes in Nepalis in the windows have grills, but no glass.

15. In order to heat the water, locals poured it in black bins and try to bathe in the afternoon when the water warms up as much as possible, and on the street is not cold. In an alternative energy source for more secured residents use of solar cells, but their power enough for it to heat the water to a little warm state.

16. In winter go home Nepalese hats, warm pants and sometimes jackets as well and sleep, additionally sheltered two blankets

55 facts about Nepal through the eyes of Russians

17. Most of the Nepalese Home Affairs are trying to do during the day on the street to get the most sunlight.

18. Some of the locals are quite strange to heat preservation - they can be bundled up from head to toe while walking in flip-flops, with the result that often get sick. 19. One of the most popular outlets - a pharmacy kiosks that can be easily found on any street, and lozenges Strepsils cough can be purchased at any grocery tray.

20. In winter, the weather is very changeable. On a sunny day, the air is heated to 22-25 degrees, and you can walk in a shirt and after sunset the temperature drops sharply and falls to 8-10 degrees.

21. In the cloudy winter days to warm the locals kindle bonfires in the street right in front of the house or shop, where work, which brings together all the family gossip, or just to keep warm

55 facts about Nepal through the eyes of Russians

22 Nepalis, even with average incomes, often sleeping on the floor, and side by side with other family members.

23. Sleep is usually lie around 9 pm and get up at 5 am in order to make maximum use of daylight

55 facts about Nepal through the eyes of Russians

24. Classes at the university begin at 6 am and end as early as 12 days.

25. Typical Nepalese eat two meals a day - lunch around 10 am and dinner around 7pm.

26. Instead of breakfast, as a rule, drink a cup of sweet tea with milk.

27. Most Nepalis - vegetarians. Normal meal - a rice and dal (lentil soup), plus vegetable curry. Morning and evening food techniques are practically the same.

28. One of the most popular local dishes in a cafe - a mo-mo. In form they resemble dumplings and their steamed or fried in butter and stuffed with lamb or vegetables, with home mo-mo cooked very rare.

55 facts about Nepal through the eyes of Russians

29. Meat eat infrequently, basically, it's lamb, goat, chicken, buffalo or yak meat.

30. Dairy products are not very popular, but sometimes occur, including buffalo milk and cheese from yak milk. 31. Beef in Nepal do not eat cows here - sacred animals.

32. In this case, as in India, the sacred animals often walk the streets in the hope to find their own food and eat almost anything, including cardboard boxes.

33. In Nepal, eat only with your right hand. The left hand is considered "unclean", so there is food as well as feed or take anything to her - not accepted.

Bodnath Stupa - 34. One of the largest and oldest, and the most visited Buddhist temples in the world is situated in Kathmandu

55 facts about Nepal through the eyes of Russians

35. Near the temples inhabited by many monkeys, moreover, they clearly feel themselves masters and behave, often quite aggressively - grinning, trying to get into the bags and snatch food.

36. One of stupas Svayambhunath located in Kathmandu, even the so-called - Temple of monkeys, because of the huge number of primates living there

55 facts about Nepal through the eyes of Russians

37. Just like in Varanasi, held in Kathmandu cremation ceremony, they are held in the temple of Pashupatinath, which is considered one of the most sacred places for Hindus, to the burning allowed only relatives, but tourists can also watch all the action from the opposite the riverbank

55 facts about Nepal through the eyes of Russians

38. Durbar Square in Kathmandu listed in the UNESCO World Heritage List, on it there are more than 20 small palaces and temples

39. Bagmati River, which is revered in Nepal is not less than the sacred Ganges in India, is a pretty pitiful sight, and more like a dirty gutter.

40. Entrance to the attractions for Nepalis free or costs a penny, but for foreigners of 10, 20 and sometimes 50 times more expensive.

41. Many tourists, having come to the temple and looking at the local, consider it their duty to twist the sacred drums, although few understand their purpose

55 facts about Nepal through the eyes of Russians

42. In spite of the fact that Nepal is a very poor country, in general, are cleaner than in India.

43. Kathmandu quite dusty, so many walk and ride motorcycles in the bandage covering his mouth and nose. And headbands are often simple one-color, and bright, colorful, with various patterns.

44. Nepal - the most mountainous country in the world. About 40% of its territory is situated at an altitude of 3000 m.

55 facts about Nepal through the eyes of Russians

45. In Nepal, there are 8 of the 14 "eight-thousanders" - mountains above the height of 8000 meters, including the highest mountain in the world - Mount Everest (8848 m)

55 facts about Nepal through the eyes of Russians

46. For trekking in the Himalayas is necessary to issue two documents - permit (permission to visit the protected area) and TIMS (registration card in the search and rescue service). They are valid for one visit, but stay in the mountains is unlimited - at least one day, at least one year in advance to describe your main route and its duration

55 facts about Nepal through the eyes of Russians

47. Everything you need for tracking - from clothes and shoes to backpacks, sleeping bags, cats and studs, as well as route maps and sunglasses can be purchased in Thamel in Kathmandu or Pokhara Lakeside - prices lower than in Russia. All this can also be rented for a daily fee, or buy a new, and then return by the same vendors for half the cost

55 facts about Nepal through the eyes of Russians

48. Overnight in mountain villages in the trekking is very cheap (from $ 1.5 per room), sometimes even offering free, in exchange for the promise of dinner and breakfast in the same hosts. Sometimes you can even find a home with hot water in the shower

55 facts about Nepal through the eyes of Russians

49. In every guesthouse in the mountains, without fail, there is a stove, which is flooded in the evening, and around which gather tired and frozen tourists. 50. The food in the village is offered on a single menu with fixed prices, which increase climbing (price per meal of $ 2, 5).

51. One of the features of the mountain the menu - is the presence of a large thermos of tea, which offer some guest-houses. As the trekking day ends early as 4:00, then the remaining time well whiled away by a three-liter thermos

52. Snow in the mountains there at an altitude of about 2500 m

55 facts about Nepal through the eyes of Russians

53. In a mountain hike, you can take a porter - porter who will carry heavy things. Endurance porters amazing - they carry loads of 30-40 kg, there where not very prepared tourists hardly raised lightly, barely moving his feet from altitude sickness.

54. Earnings porters is $ 10 per day, which is a good income for the Nepalese, with the work with tourists is considered to have great luck, because otherwise would have to bear a heavy load even more for less money

55 facts about Nepal through the eyes of Russians

55. One of the top attractions in Pokhara - a flight with a paraglider over the lake Phewa, among the Himalayas