When the Sow Doesn’t Like You

The contrast between the rural areas and cities of most countries is as apparent as that between a cat and an eagle. It is no different in Nepal. Kathmandu bustles with abundant vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Pollution chokes the air, and buildings occupy nearly all of the available space. In the countryside, on the other hand, people and vehicles are mostly replaced with animals and crops. Bright blue skies blow breezes of clean, fresh air. The land is filled with far more trees and agricultural fields than mandmade structures.

In a previous piece, I told of the first stretch of my Dashain adventure in Nepal that took place back in 2023. (I also explained the Dashain holiday — an important piece of context). That story started in the capital city of Kathmandu and ended at the hilltop village of Kalinchowk. After shaking off the chill of that winter wonderland, we next headed for my friend’s home — the village of Dhunge in the Shailung rural municipality of Dolakha district.

I was about to learn what life is like for the farmers of Nepal, and about how they are managing an ancient lifestyle in a swiftly changing modern world.