R&K Insider: Where are you from?
If you’ve ever wanted to go to Nepal, or have a burning question about Yaks, Yetis or the mountains, find me.
This post originally appeared on March 9, 2018, in Anup Kaphle’s weekly newsletter. Read the archives and subscribe to the newsletter.
Hello, dear readers, and a very happy Friday! Here I am, on my first week of taking the reins at R&K, and before other things, let me say that I am totally elated to get started—and I couldn’t be more thrilled to have you all join me on this journey.
I was born (and grew up) in Pokhara, a small valley in western Nepal surrounded by pristine mountains. When I was a kid, I used to approach foreigners near Fewa Lake, almost always, with a single line of sentence. Namaste! Where are you from? In a way, that is how I was introduced to the world outside my country. Since arriving in the United States nearly a decade and a half ago, I’ve found myself on the receiving end of that question, plus a series of curious (or bonkers) follow ups.
Where are you from?
Nepal.
Where’s that?
Between India and China. You know, the country with Mount Everest.
Oh, ok. So have you climbed Everest?
Nope, I have never climbed Everest. Actually, most of us never have—and probably never will. But if you, like me, are a lover of trekking and gawking at the towering mountains from a distance, now is the season to start planning a trip to the base camp, where throngs of climbers will gather from around the world in their quest for glory. If you’ve ever wanted to go to Nepal, or have a burning question about Yaks, Yetis or the mountains, find me: I can be your personal guide.
Talking about guides, big news for our new (free!) R&K city guides. Overnight, we launched our second set of cities featuring three of the great destinations in Asia: Penang, Mumbai, Amman—each food-obsessed and unique in their own way.
I’m particularly excited about Mumbai, a city I first got introduced to through Bollywood, which is the source for many of these unofficial anthems to the city. Once I’m in Mumbai, I want to head straight to the Vada Pav stall outside the Dadar station, followed by a cup of Irani Chai at Kyani Bakery. I hope you all check out these guides, share them with your friends and family—and consider making plans for your next big holiday.
I’d also like to invite you to listen to our podcast, The Trip. In our final episode of the season, I talk about goats, gods and garlic—and why my parents, who taught me everything I know about food and cooking, will never make my favorite dishes again.
Meanwhile, please tell me what you think about our new city guides! You can @ me. Do you think your city should be on the next R&K list? Let me hear your case for it. I am making a strong case for mine. Beat me.
That’s all from me for now. Hope you all have sunshine wherever you are this weekend, and I’ll see you here next week.
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