Getting Around in Kathmandu

Introduction:

There is a saying in Nepal — ek chin — which can mean wait a moment, an hour or forever. This saying is related to Nepali time, which is a little slower than in other countries. How can that be? Well, in the world of transportation, it takes more time to get around in Nepal. My study abroad program gives us a weekly schedule, but whenever an activity requires transportation, we are always about half an hour behind schedule. Therefore, Nepali people can’t be too strict about arriving on time.

How do people get around?:

Very few people in Nepal have their own car. People use taxis and buses if their destination is very far. If their destination is near (less than 3 miles), they walk. Taking a taxi around the city costs anywhere between 200-1000 rupiya, depending on traffic and how far you're going. (Remember, rupiya is the money they use in Nepal.) 200-1000 rupiya is about $2-10. Taking a bus is much cheaper and costs between 5-20 rupiya, less than 20 cents!

How did I feel when I tried this way of getting around?:

I really enjoy walking to school every day. I plug in my headphones and listen to music as I watch the flurry of activity going on around me as I walk.

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