The gorgeous bride
with her wedding meal
“One of the women told me this
was a shorter version of a Nepali
wedding; some go on for days.”
20
All too quickly, our two weeks in Nepal came to an end. Our
last night in town, we were treated to a meal at a little restaurant in
Lakeside, with entertainment as we ate. A group of young dancers
sang to a medley of traditional songs from all over the world,
changing outfits for each country.
While entertaining, I could hardly notice the music over the
mind blowing meal I was having: the very best butter chicken I
have ever had. Rich, buttery and creamy, a small piece of chicken
drowned in a sauce that must have been made by magicians.
Chilies, turmeric, ginger, garlic and ghee (reduced butter) made
up this red and gold sauce, glistening with butter oil and staining
my fingers a rust color. I had a chow mein sitting in front of me,
a popular item for tourists who can’t handle super spicy foods,
and delicious as it was, it became a sad spectator to my chicken
demolishment.
Food is a way to tell friends and neighbors they are loved, and
it is incredibly evident in the way meals are conducted in Nepal.
For the wedding, every person in the community was invited to
come eat and enjoy themselves. During our stay, the family worked
around the clock to make sure we were taken care of, comfortable,
and above all, full.
But there is something else in this place: a mellow kindness that
you can see in every face. Women are beacons of light, loud, and
always smiling. Men are stoic and strong, and children understand
the importance of hard work and the reality of life on this side of
the world. I never saw a tantrum being thrown, and children were
always polite. From the food to the family, to the views of the
mountains amidst endless marigold bushes, Nepal is truly a paradise
for those who love to explore.