Bleeding Mountains

I have just finished reading two really great books about the political history of Nepal and then last night I picked up a book called Bleeding Mountains of Nepal. These books have been a great way for me to get to know my Nepali friends much better. Both books are written by a Nepali author named Manjushree Thapa, and were written originally in English. Their titles are “Tutor of History” and “Forget Kathmandu.” If you're interested, I think you can get them in the States. I have also spent quite a while the last few weeks just talking and asking them hard questions about caste, marriage, education, revolution, etc.

This county has a pretty crazy history with democracy in the past 50 years. There have been three major People's movements that created new democratic systems. Each of these though lasted for only a few years, mainly because the political parties could never even talk to each other. It got so bad at points with party fighting, that there would be brawls in the parliament building.

The people of Nepal have lived through also a recent Maoist revolt. And the revolt took places in most part because these democratic parties could not govern. Reading these histories and talking to these people, is really quite sad. They all want democracy and when they get...well, they just squander their opportunities.

Last year was the third major movement to democracy. This time completely getting rid of the monarchy and establishing a republic. In the past they have kept the king along in a parliamentary system, that really just didn't work too well. Currently, the parties are talking with the Maoist Party this time, and lets hope that this time things really work out. This June they are having national elections.

Money, greed, family, pride. Those four things have really done a number on this country. Crazy that I add family in well, let me explain! As in many societies in the world including our own, your family relations really are what get you jobs, marriages etc. In fact, one of the major parties was run by some brothers for the better part of the last 20 years. One taking over for the other and back etc.

I am just starting to read a book also written in English originally by a Nepali named Aditya Shrestha. It is called “Bleeding Mountains of Nepal” with the subtitle “corruption, greed, misuse of power and resources.” I'm really pretty excited to get into it. The country is so completely amazing and fascinating, and I haven't even step foot above 7,ooo ft!!!

Another topic that I couldn't even begin to scratch the surface with is how this country is a soup of so many different ethnic cultures, and religions all mix-up together, but not mix-in to each other. With the caste system here for the past thousand years there have been these ethnic groups living side by side, but hardly mixing at all. It has created this diverse beautiful group of people. The Hamung, Newars, North Indian Bhramans, and of course the Sherpas. I'm getting to point in which I have a basic idea for about half the people which caste or ethnic group they are from just by meeting them once. Of course we have our separate groups in the States, but its nothing like here.

And by the way, take all of the commentary above as straight from me. With, I would guess, at least a quarter of it wrong in some way...