There is a road between Kathmandu and Pokhara, that local people say is a highway. Well, it's a track that resembles a road, but highway, I don't think so. There are hills on the northern horizon, that local people call mountains. Truly, these are fabulous mountains. Something that at first sight forces you to respect it. Something you can gaze at for hours and days and meditate.

Nepal can easily become a very romantic place. Forget washing machines, hot shower, traveling quickly, forget wiener schnitzel, french fries and welcome devilishly hot chili rice.

Nepal is also a country with lots of festivals. Some are dedicated to brothers and sisters, some to gods, some to friends. People never run out of reasons to celebrate. So you drive along the road and there is a roadblock. Children stop you and explain (somehow, not in English) that they are building a new school in a village you're passing and it is a custom to give a small donation. Well, you can't say no to children and noble goals. You drive further, police check point. Next village, there's a festival dedicated to families and of course you come to conclusion without any serious doubt you need to donate.

Also, when trekking, out of nowhere you see children coming your way and singing. So, our guide joins them singing and dancing and what comes to our mind is, you never see this in our Europe. Our guide explains us they're gathering money for a new road. Well, we must be very rich compared to them, but it is not the money. These people are so honest and you see something special in their eyes. Something it is so difficult to explain. It may be sadness and hapiness at the same time, respect and fear, something we used to know, but our racing pace of life just threw away. The true family ties, the feeling you belong somewhere.

We were not really blessed with good weather in Nepal. It wasn't awful, but it wasn't as good, as we usually have luck it to be. So perhaps that's why our perception of Nepal is more concentrated on people and not on those huge Himalayan peaks. What constantly comes to our minds, when thinking of Nepal, are people. Their smiles, the way they look at you with some respect, somehow, regardless of their poverty - though lack of material things can't be so easily defined as poverty - they seem so happy. So close to nature, so calm and undemanding, so proud of their family and modest housing. And it is not a catastrophe that it takes 3 hours walk to the first road. It really made me think, why in the world we are so worried about our jobs, cars, cell phones, latest TV sets.