Earthquake might have left it shattered on the outside, but the inner beauty is still prevalent.
PHOTO Wendy HungIt was truly a blessing that Nepal and I met before he crumbled into pieces. Though shattered and broken on the outside, for some reason, I know the heart of this resilient land has stayed just as I always remembered it: kind.
In a deeply Buddhist culture, the Nepalis wore kindness on their sleeves, their eyes sparkled of genuine altruism. Buddhism + kindness. This was my cup of tea. In Kathmandu, the hustle and bustle that I’m normally used to in a first world metropolis is comparable to the speedy commotion shaken by worshippers at the legendary myths flaring around Boudhanath (Stupa).
The royal Durbar Square whisper tales of Malla and Shah kings who ruled over Kathmandu from massive temples and the gate with monkey god by the name of “Hanuman Dhoka.” Unfortunately, much of this part of the city has been destroyed by the earthquake in April 2015.
By hopping on a plane from Kathmandu heading toward the Himalayas, the view of frosty mountain tops from up in the air was inexplicably ravishing, as if this was nature’s way of showing off its opulence and grandiose. A few days in Pokhara – the second largest city in Nepal after Kathmandu – was proof that rapid urbanization is undeniable and the first sign of it might very well be increasing chatters from tourists like you and I.
Then a few more days at Chitwan National Park was an exciting thrill, especially when tigers could’ve appeared at any random moment as we promenaded through forests on elephants’ backs.
Nepal is most likely no longer the same as I saw it, but the Nepali spirit shall not change for its inner beauty – an earnest kindness – is to be gravely treasured.
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