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I have to say, this is a bit of a depressing country to live in. And I'm saying this with a full set of lights blazing over my head and a freshly filled hot water bottle in my lap so it's not like I'm exactly suffering from extenuating circumstances at this very second.
Maybe I should clarify. Visiting Nepal must be delightful. You get to stay in nice hotels with nice generators, you have all the taken for granted commodities ready at your service whether they be hot water, electricity or internet, you visit lovely restaurants with portable heaters quietly crackling away at your table, you can visit the buzzing markets in the heat of the sun and appreciate the vibrant colours of local handicrafts and exotic temples, then night falls and you fall to bed exhausted ready for the following day's first exhilarating steps on the skirts of the Himalayas...and when it's all over, you pack up your backpack and leave this beautiful country behind and head back to the comforts of your home with fond memories tucked away in the back pocket of your trousers.
But what happens to those people who on a daily basis have to deal with circumstances far from ideal in their home land, who after a hard day's work go home to watch their children struggling to read their homework by candlelight. What kind of future is that? An uneducated population because today's backwards leaders couldn't put their egos aside long enough to make a decision for the good of the country? All they have to do is ask for help and ensure full cooperation when the help is provided. Less than 50% of the population has access to electricity, and 90% of those live in Kathmandu. It is ranked 118th most corrupt land out of 160, has 6% female representation in parliament, and 4.37 computers to every 1 million people (2004).
It's just pretty frustrating I guess, when there are so many people, local and international, who are willing and able to provide the means, method and finance to move a country forward, but are simply met by a brick wall.
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