Patience has been tested as we wait out the days to get on the plane back to Kathmandu. Currently in Eastern Nepal, in a dusty charred city called Bhadrapur. Its close to the Indian border. Ive been away for about a week, doing some research for Wild Earth, trying to connect them directly to herbal farmers in the hilly areas. The Maoists have been acting up, seeing the Nepali president has decided to visit the area. Everything shut down and we missed our flight. Currently crossing my fingers that we get back today. You walk the streets and see ornate rickshaws, Indian influence of black tea, somosas, fried "cuisine", dust, heat, and busy daily life. The sun is covered by the foggy clouds, giving this place a nostalgic feel. Maoists flags wave about and communist statues are hidden throughout. Sick dogs, intense smells, ohhh I miss the mountains.
Eastern Nepal is far more developed than the Western part, although Im not sure how the quality of life compares. You walk the streets and smell the charcoal from the protests...that is their way to make a point. They claim that they will take control of the government and they do this by shutting down ones daily life...? schools close, transportation stops, tourism dies..... seems crazy to me.
All in all, I had some really special moments while visiting the farmers which seems like it was days away. There are some powerful ngos doing some great work to sustain the farming of medicinal herbs. We saw a lot...the production of honey, cardomon, green tea, and vast gardens of herbs. Many are in the beginning stages, but there is a lot of hope that this idea of conservation and connection to the market will grow.
