Welcome to Anna’s Diary

On life, health and nature

anna-falcon

  • Nagarkot

    I was so happy to see Professor Thapa and his lovely wife. They met me early in the afternoon, and Professor Thapa´s driver brought us all the way to amazing Nagarkot. I feel overwhelmed by so many beautiful moments that I need to write about them. Yes, this is really Writing & Leisure.

    We went by car – it was like the crookedest street in the world. Similar to Lombard Street in San Francisco. The temperature was rather cool when we arrived, and Professor Thapa wanted to go to the temple, so we joined him. The sunset was ongoing, and we took off our shoes and said a little prayer. A precious moment that I will keep in my mind.

    The bell rings
    Shoes off
    Happy to meet Professor Thapa and his wife
    After our prayers

    We had dinner together, and Professor Thapa ordered French Fries, dumplings, and vegetables. Since these were my first days in Nepal, I felt a bit impolite since I didn´t dare to eat so much. However, it was so tasty, and I love spicy food.

    Professor Thapa at 2000 meters
    Dinner time

    We tried to call Professor Jörgen Engel, my previous supervisor, during dinner. It was not possible, but we could at least send some chats instead. I was reminded of pharmacology and the nicotinic receptors.

    Professor Thapa and his wife returned to Kathmandu, and I stayed the night there. It was so calm and peaceful. At the end of the evening, the only light I had was a candle. I needed to go to bed early to wake up with the sun.

    Early morning
    Magic
    Early
    Sunrise

    I was awake before dawn, and to my surprise, I had cholinergic pharmacology in my mind. Suddenly, some dogs started barking at nothing, as they always do. I went to the veranda and saw the fluffy clouds from yesterday, but this time not from a plane. Professor Thapa had brought me 2000 meters over the sea. We were not able to see the whole of the Himalayas, but I got a glimpse. I wish every morning would be like this.

    So impressive

    I was awake before dawn, and to my surprise, I had cholinergic pharmacology in my mind. Suddenly, some dogs started barking at nothing, as they always do. I went to the veranda and saw the fluffy clouds from yesterday, but this time not from a plane. Professor Thapa had brought me 2000 meters over the sea. We were not able to see the whole of the Himalayas, but I got a glimpse. I wish every morning would be like this.

    After breakfast, I had a little walk in the forest below the house. Lots of greenery was mixed with flowers, reminding me of tea plantations I have seen in Malaysia and Sri Lanka. This morning I also saw a coffee plant. The Himalayan java coffee is great, and the local tea is so smooth and fresh. I was told that there was a big earthquake in 2015 that actually demolished lots of buildings. They had made a great effort to rebuild houses.

    I had some more tea and enjoyed the atmosphere. Birds and insects were singing in the background. A chilly morning in Nepal. And there is hope – I spoke with a German couple who saw the Rhinos the other day. They also didn’t know about Rhinos in Nepal.

  • Nepal wakes up early 🇳🇵

    I woke up in the middle of the night, and I enjoyed my nice view. This morning I am happy – no feeling of jet lag since I could fall asleep again.

    Night in Kathmandu

    I think foreigners travelling to Nepal seek peace. I had a little chat with a Danish woman yesterday, and she was going to a monastery cloister for a month. I will not, perhaps some yoga for mindfulness.

    I had fresh fruit for breakfast and saw some local news. A strange feeling of having all I need in a bag. Later in the afternoon, I will meet Professor Thapa and his lovely wife. They are travelling with me to Nagarkot, and we will stay there for some time.

    Stay safe 🐾

    Breakfast with fresh fruit, tea, and news.

  • Kathmandu.

    I must admit that I was a little tired after travelling for many hours. So many new impressions and nice chats with people. Kathmandu is a busy town, and so is the airport. We had to wait for fifteen minutes before landing. Meanwhile waiting for a landing spot, we saw so many beautiful and fluffy clouds. And a clear blue sky on top of that.

    Nepal clouds

    The people checking the VISA were very friendly and smiled a lot. I had to wait for my bag to get off the plane, and to my surprise, a cute Golden Retriever was sniffing for narcotics and other illegal stuff. Dogs at work!

    Golden at work.

    I found a taxi, and the driver showed me some temples on the way to the hotel. And yes, at the beginning it was difficult to know if it was left-hand or right-hand traffic. However, the driver used a small Buddha statue to encourage a peaceful state of mind and reduce road rage.

    Busy Kathmandu.

  • Almost there

    Despite the long journey from Stockholm to Bangkok, the trip went by very quickly. By chance, I ended up sitting next to ‘neighbour travellers’ who had previously visited Nepal. I got a crash course in the religious ceremonies practiced there. They had missed seeing the rhinos—and were also surprised that such exotic animals exist in Nepal. I hope I get to see them.

    We had a few detours in the airspace, and I couldn’t resist following our route on the map. We flew south of Ukraine, crossing over the Black and Caspian Seas in the Middle East. The floods in Bangkok have receded, and there is only light rain.

    Some of the Himalayas.

  • The Kathmandu Post

    Naturally, many thoughts crossed my mind when I learned that Nepal had been struck by a natural disaster—a massive flood triggered by a glacier collapsing from one of the Himalayan peaks. Worried friends wondered what I would do. Climate change was cited as one of the causes behind the flooding resulting from the collapse.

    Unfortunately, the event did not receive much attention in Swedish news, even though thousands of people lost their lives. Here, the news cycle revolves around Russia’s aggression toward Ukraine. A Russian attack on the airport in Leipzig, Germany, served as a reminder that we need increased vigilance throughout our society.

    I have started following ‘The Kathmandu Post‘ to understand Nepal better. As you know, I care deeply about animals and nature. Nepal is home to exotic wildlife such as elephants, rhinoceroses, tigers, and leopards. Nearly a thousand human lives are lost each year, which naturally creates conflict between humans and animals.

    Anyway, we live in the here and now. My trip is reasonably well-planned, but given the heavy rainfall and other natural disasters, I know that changes may arise along the way.

    Stay safe 🐾

  • Yellow fever?

    ,

    The days leading up to my trip are getting closer and closer. I will bring along the books about the Himalayas that I haven’t yet had time to read. I look forward to immersing myself in literature for a while—at least in the evenings.

    Today I spoke with Professor Thapa and his lovely wife, whom I have not met before. He is still working at the university. We were able to wave to each other, and it felt just as if they were right there in my living room! I wanted to hug them. Professor Thapa says it is warm in Kathmandu. He also said, “Finally, Anna, you are coming to Nepal!” I am going to start packing my bag this weekend. I do not want to bring too much with me; I’m hoping to buy some clothes there instead. When in Rome, so to speak—trying to blend in.

    To my surprise, Nepal has rhinoceroses. How exciting. I suppose it is a bit like having moose in Sweden. I hope I get to see them—the rhinos I mean.

    Professor Thapa speaks excellent English. Being a bit of a language nerd, I wonder if I will understand anything of what is said in Nepal. Languages are so fascinating. I wonder what the cadence of the speech is like. Will I be able to make out the words?

    I am starting to feel a touch of pre-travelling excitement.

  • Domestic

    ,

    Even though I live alone, my days are intense and eventful. A friend remarked with surprise, after spending a couple of weeks at home without her husband and children: “Anna, you must have so much to do. I have never had such hectic days as I have now while being on my own.” I laughed, of course, but on reflection, it felt like she was right.

    Domestic flights

    I have had a couple of days off and traveled to northern Sweden with a friend within the family. I asked if she wanted to come along, and she did! The propeller plane felt unfamiliar—a small yet substantial aircraft. A Fokker 50—very important, according to the pilot.

    Fokker 50

    It was perfect to have company. It also felt like a little taste of Nepal, I thought. From Hemavan, the Norwegian mountains were visible in the distance, with a dusting of snow on the peaks. Hemavan had plenty of both Norwegian and Swedish cars. It actually felt a bit like Glommen Brygge in Fredrikstad, Norway—especially when I woke up this morning to see thick fog over the lake, just like in Fredrikstad. Ryfjället wasn’t visible at first, but then the sun slowly warmed the morning, and the mountain shone once more in all its glory. It was also the first morning with a light frost, I was told.

    Ryfjället

    It has been about ten years since I was last in Tärnaby. Even longer since I went downhill skiing. I suddenly found myself longing to ski when I saw some ski gear in the hotel lobby. It might turn out to be a good winter, as there are plenty of rowan berries this year.

    I felt I wanted to write down my impressions while they are still fresh. I am happy to have this diary. I sent the photo of Ryfjället above to Professor Thapa, and, of course, these must be small hills to him by comparison.

    Autumn.

    The photo above is from earlier today. This evening Stockholm. Looking forward so much to discovering beautiful Nepal.