| Joyce Tapper lives
in Van Nuys California. She is a yoga student, retired
PR business owner, and frequent Nepal visitor and trekking
planner. When it comes to eating out in this part of the
world, Joyce knows her stuff. She writes...
Each year I return
to Kathmandu in Nepal and as I saunter through the Thamel
district's busy streets, I spot new restaurants and old
favorites. Merchants near the Norbu Linka Hotel ( a small
comfortable family place where I always stay), greet me
with a knowing, friendly, "Namaste, you're back!"
I feel right at home in an environment so unlike my other
home in California.
Over the years I've
collected a list of Thamel's female-friendly restaurants
that I particularly enjoy and which I'd like to share
with other members of the Journeywomen Network. I'm also
including several tips for dining out in this part of
the world.
First the dining out advice...
-
Trying
to find a particular restaurant? Kathmandu does
not feature addresses and street names in a
conventional "western world" way.
In general, there are few street names and no
visible numbers. Places are found according
to their proximity to other places. Your hotel
will explain how to find your restaurant or
they will send a young staff member with you.
This often makes getting there half the fun.
-
 Collect
cards at each restaurant; they usually have
a little map on the back to help you get back
a second time. Paste them into your travel diary
so you can advise other women travellers about
your favorites.
-
Dress
wisely when heading out to dinner. Always take
a sweater or light jacket. No matter how warm
it is in the afternoon, it cools off in the
evening.
-
Especially
if you are travelling solo, table-to-table conversations
are fun to encourage everywhere. Don't worry.
Just do it. You'll find everyone else generally
does.
-
Streets
are busy and feel safe for walking (even when
you're alone) until about 9:00 p.m. I've found
that when the crowds thin out, the dope peddlers
approach more brazenly. Try to be back to your
hotel by then. If it's later, take a cab at
the stands located at the hub of all the alley-like
streets.
-
Check
ahead with your hotel about how much to pay
for a ride in a cab or a rickshaw (bicycle-propelled)
and don't pay more than this amount. If the
quote is too high just walk on to the next driver.
Be aware that rickshaws are not for the faint
of heart and the drivers tend to cheat the uninformed.
-
Finally,
to avoid Delhi Belly, eat only freshly cooked
hot food, never consume anything raw. And dry
any damp silver, glassware, or plates.
For
a list of women-friendly restaurants, click
here
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