Stay away from the monkeys

Tomorrow, I have my second round of shots for the recommended travel vaccines. I got the first round two months ago, when I saw my doctor and told her how I was going to Nepal in March. She was excited—not just for me, but for her, too. Apparently, she really likes looking up the vaccines for traveling patients.

We talked over the option of getting the vaccine for rabies. Her office didn’t stock it, but even if it did, it didn’t sound necessary. I mean, it wouldn’t really make me immune to rabies. It would just give me more time to get back to the US if I got it. When I told her that I was ok with not getting it, her words of advice were, Ok. Just stay away from the monkeys.

It sounded like funny advice. Stay away from the monkeys.  I still crack up when I think about that. I’ve never been anywhere were I had to mind the monkeys.  It was kind of like the time I went camping at Glacier National Park and we were told at the ranger station, make a lot of noise when you’re hiking to keep away the grizzly bears--both funny-sounding pieces of advice, but very practical.

Travel advice can seem pretty hilarious, but I’ve learned not to blow it off. Travelers tend to remember the parts of their experience that were the most different from their real lives. That’s why I tend to appreciate that kind of advice more because it usually sticks out for me, too.

Here’s some real advice that we’ve heard since preparing for this trip. It’s not funny in a ha-ha way, but funny in a that’s-different way:

• ·         Don’t point to anything or touch anything with your feet. That’s considered offense because feet are the dirtiest part of you.
• ·         Don’t touch other people’s heads, including children. The head is the most sacred part of you.
• ·         Don’t use your left-hand for anything like eating or passing something to someone because it is unclean.
• ·         Don’t throw things into a fire. Fire is sacred.
• ·         Don’t touch other people’s food. Your food is considered polluted if someone else touches it or your plate.
• ·         Bring a headlight because you probably won’t have electricity if you wake up at night.
• ·         Bring toilet paper, especially if you have to have your Angel Soft or Northern Quilted. (Very practical.)
• ·         Don’t be offended if they tell you you’re fat. It’s a compliment. (Not sure I believe that one. Hahaha . . .)

<!--[if !supportLists]-->

All sound advice.

To all those who have offered us advice: Dhanyabad! (That’s Thank You in Nepali—another piece of advice we listened to.)

~Katherine