Our delegates spent three days in Pokhara, Nepal before traveling to Chitwan, a region known for its wildlife and landscape. There they stayed within Nepal’s first national park, Chitwan National Park, and met a variety of new friends. After the jungle experience, they headed back to Kathmandu for more humanitarian work and sightseeing. View more photos of the delegates’ journey on PTPI’s Facebook Page.
Traveling to Chitwan is something the group was especially looking forward to. The flight from Pokhara was smooth and we landed on a grass field at an airport that is so basic, it looks like anything but the airports we are used to seeing. Our visit certainly surprised the local people, especially the local vendors who sell their artwork. We may have been the only buyers in probably weeks!
Delegates take part in a safari atop elephants in Chitwan National Park
We got into Jeeps that took us to Chitwan National Park – a world treasure. The elephant ride during the safari was an outstanding experience which we will never forget. The jungle looked so far away from where we all come from, and to see the rare species of vegetation and wildlife was something we all treasured. It was also just fascinating to look at the rhinos walking right by us, and the birds, and the river that winds through the jungle like a giant snake. I can hardly explain the atmosphere and the cultural feeling we all got as we talked and learned so much about the locals coexisting with the jungle and its animals – a simple life in harmony with nature and the animals they love and care so much for. We do know very little until we put ourselves in others’ shoes, and we were so happy to have this chance, through PTPI, to get to know so much about the real rhythm and dynamism of life in the jungle.
Seeing the sights from the river in Nepal
Sleeping in the jungle is something most of us hadn’t done before. You hear animals calling during the night and insects flying around your room as you lay down to your bed, which is covered with white netting to protect you from flies. Still, the sound of silence becomes your companion during the night and you sleep as you probably have never slept before. It is a strange but lovely feeling to be out there – one of millions of creatures who live in the wild yet still feel safe and part of it all. You might hear stories in the morning, such as ‘we had no hot water’ or ‘the water stopped’…but remember, we are in a jungle! The next day we went on a two-hour boat ride, then on to elephant feeding and washing. That was an exceptional experience. On the morning before we left Chitwan, we took an early elephant ride and managed to see a couple of rhinos, birds, and crocodiles. Indeed we left feeling the spirit of the jungle.
Students and teachers provided a warm welcome at a community school in Nepal
Returning to Kathmandu seemed like coming back to the real world, since we all had the chance to use the Internet and share all of our stories. We went to a community school where we met with the children and staff and were surrounded with so much love and curiosity. We played with the children for about two hours and everyone felt as happy as the children! We donated $400 USD and left the toys and school supplies that we all brought from home to share.
Enjoying interacting with new friends at a local school in Nepal
We also visited one of the most beautiful cities in Nepal, if not the world – Bhakatapur. The living history of this vibrant, antique city was just breathtaking. Visiting Bhakatapur is a must if you travel to Nepal. The architecture and the colors are unique, the woodcarving work, shapes and curves of the city and its buildings are stunning – brilliantly set with such delicacy. It makes the city so special and the time spent there was the moment on the trip when you realized that every second of this trip was truly precious.
Nepali people are great people. We at PTPI know that all people are great, and that there are billions of people out there in the world who are waiting to become friends with you. Missions like this one certainly help us to accomplish our goal. I know for sure that all of us who traveled together will have memories that will never be deleted from our minds…and we all have become Nepal’s ambassadors to the world!
NAMASTE to you all.
-Genci Mucaj
Program Leader
To learn more about People to People International, visit www.ptpi.org
