As I pack, I have to consider one major thing: it is monsoon season in Nepal. I did not know this when I scheduled the trip. I rather thought I was in for a mild, mountainous summer. How silly we are to make assumptions! How rarely they are correct!
Steve McCurry, one of my favorite photographers, took a year to follow the monsoon throughout Asia, documenting his journey through images.
While you do not see the waist-deep floods he photographed in India, it is obvious that monsoon is a certain season in Nepal, with certain activities, and accomodations.
While it is possible, and understandable, to be discouraged by going during the ONE season the guide book says to avoid Nepal, I decided to think of it differently. This is my chance to live through a meteorological phenomenon I may never see otherwise. I will get a glimpse into how people live around and with these seasonal floods.
Without the convenience of ubiquitous cars, modern homes, and paved highways, I have to think the monsoon is at least uncomfortable. But is it bothersome?
I grew up surrounded by tornado watches and warnings, and we took them in stride, never really feeling the need to panic, or move, or drastically alter our plans. Now that I have moved around the country, I have met many people who view tornadoes as reason enough never to live in the Midwest. They are fearful and mystified by them.
I wonder if I will find something similar with the South Asian monsoon? Is it something that truly upends people's lives and forces them to give up certain activities for a period of time, or is it simply built into the culture? Do they view it as a dangerous phenomenon, an inconvenience, or just a season that is necessary for agriculture? Perhaps the answer is all of the above.
My assumption is (but remember how dangerous those are!) that Nepalese people take things in stride far more than Americans, and just deal with their bizarre weather in creative ways. I'm also glad that I will be there at the lowest tourist season. It seems the best time to experience how people truly live, without foreigners around.
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