Nepal

Chris doesn't like his PhD much, so takes every opportunity he can to run away on holiday. This time he spent 3 weeks in Nepal.

Whilst for the most part Nepal appears to be an underdeveloped third world country, one important thing to be mentioned is that it is also extremely mountainous, so they've had to work extra hard to design and build bridges. They're not exactly the prettiest, most technologically advanced bridges, but they have to withstand all different weather conditions (from 50 degree heats, through huge monsoon seasons to the inhospitably cold and rugged himalayan mountain range). Their bridges are functional, and they perform their function well.

The following two pictures shows first the swirling rapids of the Bhot Koshi (a grade 4+ rapid), which would otherwise be uncrossable, and second a bridge, barely wide enough for two buses yet heavily trafficked. These are essential to the survival of the people of this town in the mountains above Kathmandu.

The next picture is of a footbridge in Maoist-controlled territory. Once again, this bridge is essential for crossing the dangerous river, smashing its way through the mountains... Bridges save lives!

Shortly after taking this picture we passed a burnt out bus which had contained Nepali people who did not have authority from the Maoists to cross the bridge into their territory. The Maoists control the mojority of Nepal, and the government is trying to take it back. Who's to say who'd put better bridges in, other than that the last government put the old bridges in, and the Maoists have just started building new roads, complete with bridges to reach the more inaccessible areas of Nepal.

It should be mentioned that a traditional Nepali chair appears to be the floor... However, the west is fortunately having its influence over this barren country, and now western chairs are prolific. They have not yet discovered the joys of wheely chairs...

- Chris, July 05

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