Boris
22nd October 2003, 05:02 PM
I am presently in Ktm and find that I am only able to access this page (for Messages from Nepal) and not the usual page..webmaster am I locked in due to ISP used or what?
Back to the point, have seen no sign of troube or curfew here at present and Thamel especially is like it was two years ago. There is a stronger Army presence here and Lukla upwards in Khumbu Valley, they stop locals/cars if not carrying westerners and search/question.
Army have patrols of 10 plus walk through Thamel wearing vests/flak jackets and armed with personal weapons. They move in formations, are well spread and asppear vigilant. Unsure if this is for show to the tourist to reinforce confidence or active patrolling.
For those of you who have been here before you will not see much change in people or safety issues/regulations. I think that even the same beggars are here from two years ago, I am sure I have a picture of an old woman at home and it is the same one I saw today.
Cannot comment on other areas as have not been there or spoken directly to people who have (on this subject).
Have spoken to trekkers from Jiri and some have donated NPR1,000. The amount had been asked for at NPR10,000 in some cases and negotiated down. One person said he negotiated down to NPR500 because he was a student and this was accepted. A girl had asked what they would do if she did not donate and Maoist stated they would harass her on the trek next day.
Overall if one had to pay about AUD20 to get through this is not a big deal unless you are on a very tight budget.
YAKSHAVER..being the regular that you are, can you access the main board and post a message referring to update on this page.
Regards.
Back to the point, have seen no sign of troube or curfew here at present and Thamel especially is like it was two years ago. There is a stronger Army presence here and Lukla upwards in Khumbu Valley, they stop locals/cars if not carrying westerners and search/question.
Army have patrols of 10 plus walk through Thamel wearing vests/flak jackets and armed with personal weapons. They move in formations, are well spread and asppear vigilant. Unsure if this is for show to the tourist to reinforce confidence or active patrolling.
For those of you who have been here before you will not see much change in people or safety issues/regulations. I think that even the same beggars are here from two years ago, I am sure I have a picture of an old woman at home and it is the same one I saw today.
Cannot comment on other areas as have not been there or spoken directly to people who have (on this subject).
Have spoken to trekkers from Jiri and some have donated NPR1,000. The amount had been asked for at NPR10,000 in some cases and negotiated down. One person said he negotiated down to NPR500 because he was a student and this was accepted. A girl had asked what they would do if she did not donate and Maoist stated they would harass her on the trek next day.
Overall if one had to pay about AUD20 to get through this is not a big deal unless you are on a very tight budget.
YAKSHAVER..being the regular that you are, can you access the main board and post a message referring to update on this page.
Regards.