I have now stayed in Nepal eleven months, and one thing can be said for sure; the more I learn, the more uncertain and confused I become. The first period of my stay, I found Nepal to be a truly rich and happy place, rich in the sense that people seemed to pay a lot of positive attention to another, being friendly and supportive to one another. The first article I sent to Norway was called “The richest country in the world”. It was a documentary on my first encounter with Nepal.

Nepal is often classified as one of the poorest countries in the world. But it is one of the richest when it comes to biological diversity, wild life, natural resources and cultural diversity. Poverty is measured by what people live on, and here people manage with few rupees per day.

I learnt several things from working in a nepalese office. Nepalese people don’t feel the need for privacy and private space like western people do. Actually they might be very concerned if you withdraw from the social atmosphere. One thing is for sure: they complain less and smile more than us. Ke garne? What to do? is a known expression here.

As days go by I realize I will miss Nepal, the good climate, the nice food and all the friendly and generous people who always have time for a tea, a chat and a laugh. I will miss peoples openness, their ability to relax and smile through all their miseries.

The conflict in Nepal has escalated while I have been here. People are looking for a solution. One man expressed to me what I think many people are feeling: “We don´t need democracy anymore. We only need peace.”

When I came to Nepal, my son, Kristoffer, was nine months old and I would breastfeed during lunchbreaks before running home at five. Now Kristoffer is a big boy, dancing and acting like a nepali boy. He is more interested in his friends than in his mother these days. I only hope he will become as generous and friendly as all the nice people I met in Nepal, whom I will remember when I go back to Norway.

Kathmandu, May 2005