The Food, the Love, and the Struggle

The culture of hospitality in Nepal is so emphasized it could even be considered as overwhelming. As we began our trek in the district of Dhankuta every single house we visited greeted us with chairs, tea, and most of the time biscuits, or cookies. (Side note: These cookies tasted nothing like our cookies in the states. Crackers are a much more apt description.) Following our afternoon snacks came the most important part of their hospitality-the actual meals.

We learned quickly how extremely rude it is to not finish the food and drinks that are placed in front of you. We’re not talking about normal sized portions either. No, that would be way too easy. We’re talking about huge metal plates and bowls filled over the brim with rice, greens, lentils, and often chicken. Occasionally we would have to be sneaky just to survive these vast meals. Don’t tell anyone, but often our portions were slid onto our teammates plates when the host turned their back. Dry foods, generally excess biscuits, found their way into our pockets for later consumption.  After years of portion sizing, our entire team was again forced to over-eat to the point of sickness to not offend our hosts. Wanna know our secret? We tried our best to take turns getting sick. Four of us stayed healthy to finish the plate of the teammate who was throwing up all their rice. We definitely had a system.

Though now comical, going through culture shock, this increased sense of hospitality caused a good amount of annoyance. The chairs were always a welcomed gift especially after hiking miles in the rain or heat; or both. The food, not so much. We wanted to have control of something in this new country, but the food was not that thing. After looking back on our experience, I realized that the amount of food wasn’t something to be upset with but something that was necessary. With the amount of activity we did daily we needed as many calories as possible. After all, like they say in Nepal, “Dal Bhat Power, 24 Hour”. Wanna trek a mountain? Get yourself that bowl of rice.

Andrew Sexton
Edited: Kaitlyn Rawls