All I want for Christmas is a ... Bum Gun!

Of all the ingenious things I have seen in Nepal, the one I would most like for Christmas and take back home with me to Australia is ... the Bum Gun.

Let me explain ...

There are certain activities we carry out every day. They are vital to our existence. One of these is visiting the toilet.

Most of the toilets in Nepal are very basic 'squat' toilets. I don't have any problem using that design of toilet ...

... but how do you use the bucket and jug? ( ... if there even is a bucket and jug!). I am sure the locals have no problem. But some procedures just seem too difficult for 'Westerners' like me to learn properly.

However ... the Bum Gun a magnificent invention!

Here is one camouflaged between some frolicking dolphins.

Note its close proximity to the toilet seat ... although the Bum Gun can also be used in a squat toilet.

It has a simple trigger lever that releases a jet or spray of water from the nozzle.

However, a certain amount of dexterity is required to use it effectively ... without splashing water (etc.) all over the place.

I expect several techniques can be used but, to be honest, nobody has demonstrated any of them to me ... so I have had to find out my own method, by trial and error.

It is actually easier to use in a squat toilet ... coz there is only you, a hole in the ground, and the Bum Gun. A western toilet seat is an impediment ... coz you have to find access to the target you want to aim at!

Warning !! 

Do not read any further if you prefer not to know how to use the Bum Gun.

It's simple. Raising one buttock off the seat provides sufficient room to insert the Bum Gun from behind. Easy. Surprisingly enough, the tricky part is aiming at the right spot ... because you have to do this without looking. I suppose it as a bit like trying to shoot a target if you are wearing a blindfold. Also, you have to get the angle just right to avoid splash back.

Don't take aim from too far back ... or else you end up giving the cheeks a shower as well. You don't want to do that ... coz then you have to work out how to dry them afterwards ... or risk looking as if you have wet yourself; which you have!

With experience, you only need to use a little water. After all, how big is the 'A' hole?

... and ..., theoretically, this should be a one handed job. However, I expect it takes lots of practice to reach that level of confidence. So perhaps people use the other hand as well ... just to make sure!

Whatever technique you use, better wash both hands afterwards.

... and think of all the trees you save by avoiding the use of the toilet paper.

So, ...  not only is the Bum Gun a useful gift to buy for Christmas, it is also environmentally friendly!

 Merry Christmas

Various types of road transport

There are lots of different types of road transport in Nepal.

Here is a photo of traffic on the busy road around Ratna Park in Kathmandu. The motorcycles and cars are mostly Japanese, Chinese, Indian or Korean makes.

There are several forms of very cheap public transport. These start with the lowly rickshaw. This enterprising driver provides waterproof shelter for his passengers in the monsoon season!

The motorised version of the rickshaw is more common than the pedal powered version.

If you want a cheaper ride, then hail a 'Magic'. This is the name of a model of vehicle made by Tata in India. Everyone piles in until it bulges overflowing.

When all the seats are full, passengers sit on a wicker stool. When all the stools are full, passengers sit on each others knees!

Here are the new stools being delivered by pedal power:

If you don't want to be crouched up in a 'Magic', then you can sit or stand in a bigger bus. Standing isn't as tiring as you would think ... because you are often so tightly packed that you can almost lift your feet off the floor and still remain upright!

For longer journeys, there are 2 different classes of bus. The first type is often brightly painted ... and has a huge luggage rack on the roof. The driver has an assistant and one of his jobs is to keep his eyes open for any luggage flying off the roof! He is also responsible for distributing plastic bags to those seated near the rear of  the bus ... coz travel sickness isn't nice!

I think I have sussed out the best place to sit: near the front, on the opposite side to where the sun scorches through the windows. BUT ... not too far forward ... coz this is where the enormously powerful speakers are situated. These blast out loud Nepali music throughout the entire journey. You might be (un)lucky if the bus has a video screen. Then you can watch a romantic Hindu movie ... accompanied by its loud soundtrack!

The 'Deluxe Tourist' bus provides a quieter option. It's usually possible to actually close the windows on these buses and prevent the dust and loud traffic noise from entering. There is also air conditioning that usually works, and the seat back may even recline a little way. But don't be fooled into thinking that WiFi is available; just because there are large 'Free WiFi' signs on the outside of the bus. After all, you wouldn't expect a bus with CocaCola signs to provide drinks inside? Would you? mmmmm ... !

The minibus parked next to the Deluxe Tourist bus in the photo above is used by small groups of people. I haven't been in one of these yet. So I can't comment. But they do look rather plush ...!


There are no railway lines in Nepal. So, everything is transported by road, trekking path or, occasionally, by river.

This rickshaw is powered by electricity:

Lorries are the main form of transport. Some come north from India, and plans are in progress to open a major road through Nepal between China and India. The drivers are very proud of their lorries. These are usually painted with bright colours and religious symbols.

Tractors are quite common in the Terai region where I live. Some of them are old models ... but new vehicles! I think they are manufactured somewhere in India using an old design.

My favourite piece of agricultural equipment is something I have seen only in South East Asia. It is a diesel engine mounted on 2 wheels. The operator steers it from behind using a long handle. He either walks or sits on a trailer or machine that is attached to the back. It only has one gear ... and one speed ... and makes lots of noise!

... and, of course, there is pony power ...

Namaste

More festivals ... and more temples ...!

This time of the year marks the end of the monsoon period. Crops are being harvested and it is the time of the year when the two biggest Nepalese festivals are celebrated. These are Dashain (sp?) and Tihar (also called Deepawali).

Crops like millet and rice are ready for harvesting:

Enormous bamboo swings appear in vacant blocks and public areas during Dashain:

People plant out winter veggies in their garden:

... and there is much dancing in the street:

The Tihar festival lasts 5 days and is a public holiday. It is called the festival of lights since small oil lamps are traditionally lit inside and outside houses to illuminate them at night. Nowadays, strings of small electric bulbs are hung down the sides of buildings.

These are the lights on a hotel I visited in Kathmandu:

... and here I am with more lights suspended in Thamel:

People make patterns on the floor with coloured rice, dry flour, sand and flower petals:

I travelled to Kathmandu during Tihar and caught up with some of the other Australian volunteers there. This was a very enjoyable time for me ... since I hadn't socialised with any other expats for over a month!

I visited two spiritually important and ancient Buddhist temple complexes in Kathmandu.

The first one was Swayambunath. This is also called the Monkey Temple ... coz there are heaps of monkeys there:

It is situated high atop a hill with beautiful views over the city:

The all seeing eyes of Buddha look down from above the large white domed stupa:

Evidence of damage caused by the earthquake that devastated Nepal 3 years ago can be seen in some of the buildings.

This brick pillar still holds up the roof of the building adjacent to where I ate lunch!

The other temple I visited is Boudhanath. It also has the all seeing eyes of Buddha looking over everyone:

... and lots of prayer flags ...

This person is walking along a wall of prayer wheels, spinning each one as he passes, to send blessings out to the world.

Boudhanath is not far from Pashupatinath temple complex that I visited soon after arriving in Nepal (see 17th August post: A Tour of Kathmandu).

I am always amazed by the intricate carvings on the walls and roof of Hindu temples. Some of these are quite erotic. I overheard one tour guide explain that Hindu parents don't talk about sex with their children. He suggested that this is unnecessary since the carvings provide all the sex ed they need. 

I can only assume that Hindus have very active and varied sex lives!

Namaste!

 

A trek to Rara Lake

The biggest annual festival in Nepal is Dassain ( ... not sure of the English spelling. It seems to vary). This happens every October. I decided it would be a good time to take a holiday since the Veterinary Teaching Hospital closes for a couple of weeks.

I haven’t seen blue sky since arriving 2 months ago. And, I haven’t been away from a crowded city, except when I am at work. So, I want to go somewhere with no pollution and off the beaten track. I chose Rara Lake.

This is in the Karnali region which is in the western Himalayan foothills.  It is about 3000 metres high and not easy to get to. Firstly, I had to take a 10 hour bus trip followed by a short flight to Jumla. Then; a 3 - 4 day trek through the mountains, walking about 6 hours every day. Then about the same amount of trekking over a different return route.

I hired a porter to carry my backpack ... and to prevent me getting lost!

His name is Dorje and he doesn’t speak any English. We managed to communicate with my little Nepali ... and lots of gesturing!

Here we are near the top of one of several summit passes we needed to cross to get to the lake..

Yes. You are right. He is only wearing an old suit and a pair of tennis shoes!

Our route took us along deep valleys before ascending steeply up and over a pass and down into the next valley.

We met locals on their way to attend their livestock or small terraced fields.

Our accommodation was in very basic ‘tea rooms’. These are actually private houses where the owners will prepare a meal and somewhere to sleep for travellers. There is no signage but Dorje seems to know which houses to stop at.

They are quite primitive.  There is no plumbing. No electricity (except a few with solar panels) ... and an outside toilet.  Cooking is done on a clay or forged iron wood-fired stove with room for one or two saucepans or a frying pan. Smoke is designed to go up a chimney flue ... but much escapes into the room. There is probably more pollution inside these kitchens than many busy streets!

Here you can see the lady of the house squatting by the fireplace, kneading dough to make roti breads. Everything is prepared on the floor.

These small houses cling to the mountain side either individually or in groups. 

They are usually 2 storeys high with the family living in the upper level, above the animals. This is a good practical design since the warm air produced by the livestock will rise and remove some chill from the floor above during the winter months. 

The roof can be flat to lay out hay or seeds to dry in the sun.

Rara Lake is serene and peaceful. It is Nepal’s largest and deepest lake.

The view is even better looking down from Murmu Top (3726m); one of the mountains that cradle the lake.

... and how about this one where the mountains are reflected on the surface like a mirror?

One one occasion, we met a weather beaten lady and her granddaughter when descending back to the lake.  Dorje spoke to her and she produced a faecal pellet from a pocket hidden in the recesses of her dress. Dorje bought this for 100 Nepali rupees. However, I remain un-enlightened. No amount of gesturing between us could explain the reason for the transaction ... but Dorje seemed happy with his purchase. The pellet was bullet shaped and about the size that would be produced by a large rodent or very small herbivore.

One of the trek highlights was walking through ancient forests. These were a mixture of conifer and deciduous trees as well as cold weather flowers and local medicinal plants. The air in these forests seemed especially invigorating.

Here is an enchanting section of forest. Can you see the two wild boar grazing in the sunlight?

Almost at one of the tops:

This is where we stopped for lunch one day. The occupant earned her living from selling herbs she collected and mixed together to make local tea.

We passed lots of simple religions cairns on the way:

Dorje also enjoyed the trek tremendously and presented me with a cake on our return:

I was supposed to fly out the next afternoon ... but was stranded for another 3 days! So here are some more photos I took:

The End !