Wow wee! I can hardly believe 25 years have elapsed and ANSWER has schooled 1800 kids! All poor, but bright. They work hard, pass the IRON GATE EXAM, and go on to college and into careers! They serve not just as role models, but as amazing examples of leadership–and more and more students are coming up behind them! So, at last, it is time to invite ALL of our supporters to visit Nepal and celebrate this silver jubilee with us, and with your student! If you have never been to Nepal, or met your student…This is the time!!! 
NEPAL IS A BEAUTIFUL, SCENIC MONTAGE OF CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS that coexist harmoniously side-by-side like nowhere else on this planet. The people are so open and friendly to foreigners, esp. Americans! It’s the perfect place to get away from the world’s troubles to recharge, and visiting your student will help restore your hope in humanity!
NEPAL IS A SAFE PLACE, but outside the tourist areas, English is not spoken; food is not always safe to eat (even within the tourist area); and healthcare is not easy to access. You have to be in good health to travel… but fear not! I am a retired physician assistant and recognize most signs and symptoms and can access the best care for you.
Unfortunately, we have had to reshape our itinerary as the schools let out for two weeks starting with the first day of Tihar, which means that we must get you to the schools before Tihar if we are to have you back home in time for Thanksgiving. So, mark your calendars for Oct 29 to Nov 15 and plan to spend at least the middle two weeks or so with us. You can come earlier or later by a few days, but Oct 29th to Nov 15th will be action-packed days you don’t want to miss. This means that you will have to vote in the November 3rd Midterm Election by mail or absentee before boarding the plane.
We are asking everyone to arrive by the 29th of October so you can visit our new office and meet our staff the next day (the 30th) before we hold our Jubilee Celebration on Saturday, the 31st (A Halloween like none other you ever imagined!) Arriving a few days early will help you adjust to jet lag, but we plan to take it slow the first few days in Kathmandu before jumping on the bus to see the country. If your student is in a remote area which we won’t be visiting, we can bring him/her to you in either Pokhara or Kathmandu or send you to their village with a staff or board member.
OKAY! Here is what you’ve been waiting for:
Tihar is a 5-day fall celebration that starts on Nov 7 and ends on Nov 11 this year. One of the best times to visit Nepal is in the fall, and what better time to celebrate than the Festival of Lights, Tihar (=Diwali in India)! 
Tihar is the celebration of light over darkness, good over evil, and Rama’s rescue of Sita from Ravana. The first several days an animal is honored: first the crow, then the dog, then the cow, then the ox and brothers and sisters are honored on the final day; night is beautifully lit with candles and outdoor lights, and everyone is excited and having fun. Like our Halloween, the children visit streetside businesses as if they were “trick-or-treating”, singing or dancing for a “modest donation” in front of stores and shops as if they were caroling! Then, like our Thanksgiving, the family sacrifices a goat or other animal for a festive dinner. And, like our Christmas, family members give each other gifts, set up outdoor lights and candles, and lay out “wreaths” (rangolis) by painting them on their front door step. All this we will celebrate in Kathmandu AFTER we visit Pokhara and beyond.
GETTING TO NEPAL IS TRICKY: First of all, ANSWER is not conducting a formal tour of Nepal as we accept no commission nor kickback and cannot assume any liability for your trip. Traveling with us is not so risky as it is “tricky”, and as facilitators, we want this to be as safe and trouble-free as possible. Hence, we ask that you stay in contact with Earle, keep him informed of what you want to see and do, keep him up to date with any change in plans, and by all means, use Earle’s travel agent in California, Govind of Himalayan Travels.
Also, be aware that Nepal is a day ahead of us in the US, so you will lose one day as you cross the International Dateline heading West across the Pacific (the same thing will happen to the days in reverse as you cross the time zones heading back over the Pacific). You won’t notice it as much if you are flying east over the Atlantic as you gain hours with each time zone but don’t cross the International Date Line…however many of those flights may be affected by the war(s) presently raging in Ukraine and the Middle East. Qatar and Turkish Airlines are offering great rates, but they have long layovers, and it seems risky both in terms of safety and fare stipulations in small print. Not to worry, though, Govind will help you with your flights.
Govind is a Nepali-American who has been doing this for over 30 years. He has a perfect record with us in getting everyone there and back on time year after year. (If you are planning to use “Flyer Miles” you’ll have to do it all yourself, but Earle and Govind need to know, and they are both good sources of free information.)
Believe me, there are dozens of ways to get there and back, and Govind knows every route, connection, layover, and unforeseen problem! Govind will find you the cheapest, surest flight with the best connections and will email Earle a copy of your itinerary to make sure we are all on the same page, starting from the time we pick you up at the airport in Kathmandu and take you to your Hotel, until we see you off at the airport 2+ weeks later. Govind’s phone is (510) 207-6935, and his email is shahigovind@gmail.com. (Be sure to mention “Earle” and “ANSWER” and he will give you special attention.) The website is https://himalayantravels.com/
Precautions: There are no direct flights to KTM from the USA. Thus, everyone will have one, if not two, connections. You can waste a lot of time sitting around airports, exhausted, worn out, and disoriented. It takes 24-40 hours of flying and layovers to get to Nepal…that’s the hard part. So, you must be in good health. Even if you are under 60, we recommend knee-high compression stockings and walking up & down the aisles every hour or two during the flight and pumping your ankles and feet while seated. FYI: One of our sponsors did none of these and wound up rushing to the hospital the minute he landed with life-threatening blood clots. 14-hr flights are hard on the body, so, discuss your trip with your doctor, then with Earle, and finally with Govind.
ANSWER will also arrange for your hotel and in-country travel, so it’s all really easy for you. Again, we are receiving no commissions or kickbacks, this is all about your safety comfort and giving you a new and fun learning experience. If you want the 5-star hotel experience, we are happy to leave that to you, but it could hinder our ability to coordinate our schedules. So, try the Hotel Utse with us the first couple of days (it’s charming—Tibetan décor and ambience). You may have to handle a flight of stairs, but you won’t have to carry your bag as the staff provides great service!
We can arrange individual trips to visit Lumbini (Buddha’s birthplace), the jungle safari, any of a myriad of treks, or visit your student’s village and home any time before, during, or after the tour. On our school visits you will see how we vet candidate students, assist in reading & writing sponsor letters, observe our high school students (SWC – Social Welfare Club) participating in film discussions, as well as attend a AAA (ANSWER Alumni Association) meeting and hear a nationally prominent personality (such as a Member of Parliament, NGO Director, or College President) give a presentation and field questions from the students.
When not visiting schools and student homes, we will be sightseeing and shopping for souvenirs, riding trams, visiting temples, monasteries, palaces. Most of the time we will be in tourist areas where we can lodge and eat together. There are day hikes, rafting, boating, and trekking that we can arrange: together, in parties, or individually. So, think over what you would like to do (or not do) on the trip, and share it with us. For those interested in coming to Nepal with us, call me so we can discuss the trip and I can keep you informed. Yes, CALL ME (616-516-0955), not simply text or email me, as we have much to discuss. Thank you (Dhanyabaad).
Please read the additional articles below titled “Timing is Everything” and “Nepal Since the March 5th Election” to better understand both the history of ANSWER and the current political situation in Nepal.
