Meet Up and Purchasing Materials

Sriya Chadalavada

Wednesday, July 2nd, 2019

On July 1st, we arrived in Pokhara, Nepal’s second largest city. After Kathmandu, Pokhara gets the most tourists as most major trekking routes require a departure from Pokhara. There are even plans to build an international airport in Pokhara over the next few years.

The next day, we traveled to shops with Ashwin to gather materials for the project. First we got waterproof “raincoat” material to place underneath the cotton pads to prevent leaking. Next, we got needles, buttons, thread, and scissors. Finally, Ashwin selected a few patterns of red cloth for the absorbent cotton lining of the pads. We also picked up stationary along the way to assist in conducting women’s empowerment-related actives.

Side Note about Pokhara's Tourists: In addition to trekking, tourists come to see the metropolitan city's 8 lakes, breathtaking mountain views, caves, gorges, and rivers. Paragliding and ziplining are popular local activities.

Side Note about Pokhara's Music Scene: Nepali Folk Rock is popular genre of music across the country. Most popular folk rock bands are based in Pokhara. Nepathya (meaning "off the stage"), a pioneer in fusion of rock and traditional music is is based in Pokhara. Amrit Gurung, lead-singer of the band for 27 years is the first and only Nepali artist to perform at the prestigious Wembley Arena in London. He chooses to live a simple life and leads campaigns to support peace and education across Nepal's rural regions.

Side Note about Pokhara's New Airport: While most people are enthusiastic about the long-term tourist and income-flow from a new international airport, there is a disapproving minority. One complaint is that the relatively lower security standards in Nepal could result in the airport being used to smuggle goods between India and China and eventually greater Asia. Another complaint is that the airport could have been built elsewhere in Nepal since Pokhara already hosts many tourists and the coveted metropolitan land could be used for other purposes.