I’ve been thinking about writing this story ever since I arrived in Kathmandu, over two weeks ago. Most Nepali people are fairly compact in size and I believe that historically, they aren’t known for being tall. However nowadays, you can see quite a few tall Nepali’s around town. I, on the other hand while not exactly ‘slam dunk’ height am considered fairly towering here to many people. I’m six-feet one and a half inches (I’ve lost an inch or so as gravity and world politics keep weighing me down!).
Now to the ‘apex’ of the story. Many doorways in older homes and buildings here are quite short. Entry gates from the street into people’s homes are also height challenged. Many clotheslines (and there are many here due to few clothes dryers and warm weather) are also pretty low level. And there are sharp edges everywhere, high and low, so you need to be very careful how you interact with unfriendly surfaces! Some of the people we help here live in corrugated metal homes, with low entry points with the roofs hanging down below my head, and that’s the most challenging for me. Stooped (and it’s close relative word – Stupid, when I bump my head!) is the order of the day for me. If anything appears remotely low, I bend at the waist as if curtsying to meet the queen! My Nepali friends and hosts are constantly trying to keep my head safe, quickly and carefully warning me of impending danger.
But you know, I wouldn’t trade any of it, not a single bump or scratch. That is because the joy, warmth and love of the Nepali people is unsurpassed. It’s like a warm blanket or a hot fireplace which draws you in and envelopes you in hospitality and caring.
This was my 30th trip to Nepal in 25 years and I’m already planning my next trip to return to my second home and my lovely friends and Nepali family!
