nancylehet
8th May 2007, 02:42 PM
an update on spring-time in a new nepal:
- the bus route to syabru besi and trek in to langtang were 100% clear of maoists in march 2007.
- the trek between jiri and lukla also 100% clear of maoists in april 2007. I even stayed in kinja - which I learned later was a maoist checkpoint of days past. well now it's a great town worth staying in.
- only maoist contact: I met up with another treker and his guide. while we were at the guide's tea-house in phakding, maoists stopped in for a free dinner and lodging. we were clearly tourists but they asked for no money from us. as far as I know, they just wanted info from the guide on tibetan trader activity above thame. was an uncomfortable night for everyone but no demands were made (on us).
in general, good reminder that there are maoists and sympathizers everywhere still. dont put your guide in a tough position by asking their views on the matter in public.
and go to nepal now as the maoists desperately want a republic and are threatening a new round of protests/agitations. unclear if that means involving tourists in addition to locals but if allowed to escalate, I'm sure this will become another disruption in nepal soon.:o
- the bus route to syabru besi and trek in to langtang were 100% clear of maoists in march 2007.
- the trek between jiri and lukla also 100% clear of maoists in april 2007. I even stayed in kinja - which I learned later was a maoist checkpoint of days past. well now it's a great town worth staying in.
- only maoist contact: I met up with another treker and his guide. while we were at the guide's tea-house in phakding, maoists stopped in for a free dinner and lodging. we were clearly tourists but they asked for no money from us. as far as I know, they just wanted info from the guide on tibetan trader activity above thame. was an uncomfortable night for everyone but no demands were made (on us).
in general, good reminder that there are maoists and sympathizers everywhere still. dont put your guide in a tough position by asking their views on the matter in public.
and go to nepal now as the maoists desperately want a republic and are threatening a new round of protests/agitations. unclear if that means involving tourists in addition to locals but if allowed to escalate, I'm sure this will become another disruption in nepal soon.:o