Connecting When You Travel – Chokos, Children and Conversations

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Namaste and Jum Jum Bistari

Last year in Nepal “connecting” started with learning a few words of Nepalese at the small hotel we stayed in Kathmandu. People always respond well if you have a go at speaking their language, they love it. My choice of words might seem strange. I learnt thank you (dhanyabad) first, always a good one to start with. I already knew the greeting Namaste. Then I learned how to say choko (eeskoos). Yes choko, the vegetable. Well it was served with eggs at breakfast in the hotel and I asked what it was and how to say it in Nepalese. In the evening for dinner, at a restaurant the young waiters were very amused when I pointed out the eeskoos when my plate arrived. Maybe not such a useful word but it started a conversation.

I love connecting with children and trying to have bit of a chat.These kids were waiting to go to school where we stopped with our bus going somewhere. I had a few conversations with children on their way to school along the trail to EBC trek as well.

Nepalese children

There are lots of opportunities to connect with people on the Everest Base Camp trek. Everyone is on the same journey. Either going up or coming back.

Lodges seem to be run by the women while the men are away working as guides, cooks, porters, assisting with climbing etc. It is easy to strike up conversations with them around the fire in the dining room in the evenings. Well that was our experience anyway, the two times we went were slow seasons, maybe it’s not like that when it’s busy.

Our relationship with our porter was a special connection. That’s him with my husband “The Trainer”. He carried our gear and guided us for sixteen wonderful days. So we got to know him and his sense of humour well. He taught me some Nepalese words and phrases. Sometimes he called me Didi which means big sister and is a sign of respect. Sometimes he called me Louise, sometimes jokingly, Mom.

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The porter and the trainer above Dingboche

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Me, my husband and Basanta on Kala Patthar

For me the connection with our porter guide was special. You can read about the day of our acclimatisation walk above Dingboche. Or the post about walking to Kala Patthar. 

This post is for Blogging U for Photography Day Five – Connect for Developing your eye.

Oh and I did learn some more useful words, such as Jum jum! bistari bistari – which means Let’s Go! Slowly slowly.

Have you had any special experiences connecting with people when you have travelled?

11 thoughts on “Connecting When You Travel – Chokos, Children and Conversations”

  5. I love trying to connect with the people when we travel. I’ve found photography very helpful, chatting (often thru body language) and asking if I can take a photo. We learn 3 words in every country: hello, thank you, and I’m sorry. It was easier in Sth America and Mexico since we have a little Spanish. Kids are always great fun to connect with though in Turkey on two separate occasions there was one horrid little boy determined to photobomb every picture and not in a fun way.
    Alison

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  7. Oh sorry the last bit did make me laugh even though I know I shouldn’t. Yes there are some kids you would like get hold of sometimes and… I have often used drawing when I travel too, to make a connection or be understood. Yes, Sorry is good to know too.

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  8. Great photos Louise, they bring back memories of our time in Nepal too and chatting to children, porters, women – anyone who wanted to chat basically! In all our travels we have made a point of connecting and it certainly makes the travel more fun and memorable.

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  10. It’s always interesting to read your experiences on your amazing trek. I love that you made and shared your stories of connections.

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