Prathap Nair

Prathap Nairhttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/about/contributors/prathap-nairPrathap Nairhttps://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/create/learn/writing/interviewing-skills-for-travel-writersHow do travel writers find inspiration while on the road? What’s the best way to approach a subject for an interview? Travel writer Prathap Nair shares the tools of the trade.2017-01-23T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/create/learn/writing/interviewing-skills-for-travel-writershttps://www.worldnomads.comFor a writer, stumbling upon a great story idea on a trip is why we get up in the morning. It’s perhaps pure serendipity that a writer and a story idea find each other. But such encounters occur very rarely. Most the time a great story comes from months of preparation, research, and creative thinking. <ul> <li><a href="#eyes-peeled"> Keep Your Eyes Peeled </a></li> <li><a href="#find-a-new-angle"> Avoid the Most Obvious Stories – Find Something New </a></li> <li><a href="#approaching-subjects"> Approaching the Subject for an Interview </a></li> <li><a href="#tools-for-writers"> Tools for the Modern Writer </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="eyes-peeled">Keep your eyes open</h2> Keep an eye out for anything that catches your interest and can be transformed into a story. The lone monk standing on the rubbles of <a href="/explore/southern-asia/nepal/things-to-do-in-kathmandu">Durbar Square</a> seeking alms, the <a href="/explore/southern-asia/nepal/eat-your-way-through-nepal">delicious street food</a> that goes beyond dal bhat, or the growing cafe culture in Kathmandu – all of them are potential story ideas. Another great way to hunt for ideas is to read local English-language newspapers. These include <a href="https://thehimalayantimes.com" target="_blank">The Himalayan Times</a>, The Kathmandu Post, and magazines such as The Nepali Man and Wave. <h2 id="find-a-new-angle">Find something new</h2> <a href="/explore/southern-asia/nepal/how-to-write-about-a-tragedy">Earthquake-related stories</a> have been reported by almost every single outlet in the world, so it’s a good idea to look for follow-up stories.  Aside from Everest and climbing-related stories, there are quite a lot of offbeat trekking and adventure travel stories waiting to be told. Nepal’s national parks host a wealth of flora and fauna (and the <a href="/explore/southern-asia/nepal/top-safari-adventures-in-nepal">rare one-horned rhino</a>) and their <a href="/explore/southern-asia/nepal/ecotourism-in-nepal-safaris-and-homestays">conservation success</a> – particularly the Chitwan National park – are worth writing about. Though mired in issues related to lack of public infrastructure and sanitation, Kathmandu is still a vibrant capital city. Under its chaotic surface are countless interesting personalities waiting to be profiled. <h2 id="approaching-subjects">Approaching a subject for an interview</h2> After you find your idea and decide on your story, approaching your subject while you are still in the country is a good idea. In general, Nepalis are not shy of talking to a tourist – for years, they’ve seen way too many of them. They usually don't mind being photographed either. However, the universal rule of thumb applies – though it’s not always possible, ask whenever you can <a href="/explore/southern-asia/nepal/photo-etiquette-in-nepal-travel-tips">before pointing your camera</a> at a friendly face in the crowded market. Most urban Nepalis speak basic English, but if you’re asking complex questions or looking for nuanced answers, hire an interpreter. <h2 id="tools-for-writers">Tools for the modern writer</h2> <a href="/explore/southern-asia/nepal/staying-in-touch-in-nepal">Your smartphone</a> is a journalistic tool that can double up as a camera, a sound recorder, and <a href="/explore/journaling-on-your-travels-how-to-for-travel-writers">a note-taking journal</a>, all rolled into one. However, keep in mind that you can also run out of batteries. Pack your power bank to save yourself from the embarrassment of your phone dying midway through an interview. <h2>Get our FREE Insider’s Guide to Nepal!</h2> <a href="/guides/nepal-insiders-guide" target="_blank">Whether you're off for the trek of a lifetime, an unforgettable safari, or just to soak up the amazing culture, get our FREE Insider's Guide to Nepal to make the most of your trip.</a>Swodesh Shakya 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/create/learn/writing/how-to-write-about-a-tragedyWriters need to treat all people and cultures around them with dignity and respect. This becomes even more important in times of tragedy. 2017-01-31T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/create/learn/writing/how-to-write-about-a-tragedyhttps://www.worldnomads.comIn an essay on reporting tragedies, Al Tompkins of the Poynter Institute for Media Studies says, “journalists’ symptoms of traumatic stress are remarkably similar to those of police officers and firefighters... yet journalists typically receive little support after they file their stories.” Here's how to tread carefully so that neither you or your subject are damaged in the process. <ul> <li><a href="#approaching-your-subject"> Approaching Your Subject </a></li> <li><a href="#respect"> Respect Local Customs </a></li> <li><a href="#report-accurately"> Report Accurately on Crucial Details </a></li> <li><a href="#give-yourself-a-break"> Give Yourself a Break </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="approaching-your-subject">Approaching your subject</h2> While <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/create/learn/photography/do-you-have-what-it-takes-to-be-a-photojournalist" target="_blank" title="Could You be a Photojournalist?">writing about a tragedy</a>, it’s particularly delicate approaching a survivor and asking them to relive a traumatic experience they’ve lived through. Take extra care. Treat them with dignity, but at the same time show empathy for their circumstances. Avoid asking questions related to their close family members/relatives who may have perished in the tragedy, unless they are forthcoming about it. <h2 id="respect">Respect local customs</h2> Always respect local customs while trying to establish contact with someone involved in a tragedy. In Nepal, for example, Hindu religious rules can sometimes mean that mourners (especially women) don't talk to strangers. Family members will get protective of the victim during such circumstances. In such cases, it’s ethical to respect their privacy and wait it out. <h2 id="report-accurately">Report accurately </h2> Don’t miss any crucial and accurate details while writing the story – this includes facts, names, and other statistics. Always check back with the survivors to re-verify names and facts. Take care though to not be not too explicit with any disturbing details while portraying an incident like the Nepal earthquake. Avoid clichés used to describe someone's death or their state of mind. Understand that you’re a reporter, but your job is not bigger than the emergency workers at the scene. Never let your presence negatively affect the rescue operations in any way. <h2 id="give-yourself-a-break">Give yourself a break</h2> It can be stressful to be consistently exposed to tragedies, and the <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/people/post-disaster-travel" target="_blank" title="Post-disaster Travel: How to Help Communities Recover">victims affected by them</a>.  Understand the need to give yourself a break from distressing situations. The tremendous nature of this responsibility can break you down. In such cases, distract yourself from the task at hand. Stay calm when shaken with graphic details narrated by your subject. It’s also okay to break down when encountering tragedies – you are human too. Lastly, understand the risk you are taking by being in a fragile environment such as an earthquake-prone area. It’s important to stay alert, and stay safe. Getty Images / Alison Wright 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/southern-asia/nepal/eat-your-way-through-nepalFrom Dal Bhat to Momos, get ready for a mouth-watering journey through Nepal with our local insider’s pick of the country’s best signature dishes!2017-02-08T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/southern-asia/nepal/eat-your-way-through-nepalhttps://www.worldnomads.comPerhaps due to its close proximity to India, Nepal’s food carries a lot of resemblances to Indian cuisine. Thanks to the use of rich spices and ancient cooking techniques, including open fire and charcoal, it’s also a hodgepodge of lip-smacking, delectable regional cuisines. Various indigenous Nepali communities including the Gorkhas and Newari boast of dishes that are both feisty and bursting with flavours. <ul> <li><a href="#dal-bhat"> Dal Bhat </a></li> <li><a href="#momos"> Momos </a></li> <li><a href="#newari-specialty-dishes"> Newari specialty dishes </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="dal-bhat">Dal Bhat</h2> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/Explore/nepal/dal-bhat-prathap-nair.jpg" /> <figcaption> Dal Bhat. Photo credit: Prathap Nair</figcaption></figure> Dal bhat and Nepali thali meals are names interchangeably used for the same dish. This is typically a big plate of steamed rice, served with delicious accoutrements of stir fried vegetables, meat curries, spiced potatoes, and salads. Sometimes, dal bhat might just be dal (lentil soup) and bhat (steamed rice) with no embellishments whatsoever. If you find dal bhat tarkari on a menu, it means vegetables are served alongside your dal bhat.  <h2 id="momos">Momos</h2> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/Explore/nepal/mutton-momos-prathap-nair.jpg" /> <figcaption> Mutton Momos. Photo credit: Prathap Nair</figcaption></figure> After dal bhat, Momo is perhaps the second crown jewel in Nepali cuisine. These meat-filled dumplings are a permanent fixture in any restaurant – regardless of what kind of cuisine they serve. Each restaurant has its own recipe for the chutney, the spiciness of which ranges from extreme to super mild. If your palette favours a spicy kind, notify your waiter when they take your order. <h2 id="newari-specialty-dishes">Newari specialty dishes</h2> Choyla, an appetizer made with grilled meat, is a renowned Newari specialty. Typically, buffalo meat is used, but chicken and other forms of meat are also common. Pair it with Tongba, a naturally fermented millet alcohol, served in long bamboo canisters and you’ll earn bragging rights to have tasted authentic Nepali cuisine. Rakshi is a strong tasting local brew, usually homemade. Another Newari speciality is a dense savoury pancake called Bara. This is a coarsely ground batter of moong and black lentils, cooked on a pan with toppings of meat strips and eggs. It’s often served with a watery lentil soup. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/Explore/nepal/aloo-tareko-prathap-nair.jpg" /> <figcaption> Aloo Tama. Photo credit: Prathap Nair</figcaption></figure> Other dishes to try include Sanya Khuna – a winter soup of dried fish, Aloo Tama (pictured above) – potatoes cooked with bamboo shoots, Gundruk – a salad of pickled and fermented greens, Juju Dhau – sweetened yogurt and Thukpa – a Tibetan meat noodle soup. You’ll find Thakali kitchens in all cities and towns; they are modest places serving Nepalese cuisine alongside Tibetan specialities. Don’t be startled by restaurants advertising ‘buff meat’. It’s not a spelling mistake of beef but the shortened version of buffalo meat. Water buffalo is also a commonly used source of protein in Nepal. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/Explore/nepal/western-food-cafe-prathap-nair.jpg" /> <figcaption> Western food and coffee in a café in Kathmandu. Photo credit: Prathap Nair</figcaption></figure> In the unlikely event of you tiring of local cuisine and want to take a break, you can always bank on Kathmandu’s chic cafes as a fall-back option. <a href="/explore/southern-asia/nepal/money-tips-in-nepal" target="_blank">They serve everything</a> from specialty Himalayan coffee to sandwiches and delicious brownies.Prathap Nair 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/southern-asia/nepal/etiquette-and-faux-pas-in-nepalGet to know the local customs and learn how to be polite in Nepal with these five tips from Prathap Nair.2019-08-01T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/southern-asia/nepal/etiquette-and-faux-pas-in-nepalhttps://www.worldnomads.comAs a popular tourist destination, Nepal is certainly used to the presence of tourists, so many of the local people are mostly tolerant towards various cultural differences.  Nevertheless, it’s a good idea to keep in mind a few etiquette pointers while interacting with locals and <a href="/explore/southern-asia/nepal/temples-and-cultural-must-sees-in-nepal" target="_blank">visiting places of religious importance</a>. <ul> <li><a href="#shaking-hands"> Don’t Reach Out to Shake Hands </a></li> <li><a href="#eat-your-food"> Always Finish Your Food </a></li> <li><a href="#etiquette-at-cultural-sites"> Etiquette For Cultural Site Visits </a></li> <li><a href="#respect"> Respect the Locals </a></li> <li><a href="#no-whistling"> No Whistling! </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="shaking-hands">Don’t reach out to shake hands</h2> In Nepal, a handshake is not the norm while greeting someone you’ve just met – especially when it’s a member of the opposite sex. Physical touch is only reserved for friends and relatives while greeting (who would hug each other or touch the elder’s feet when they meet). Instead, join your hands together and greet people with a ‘Namaste’ – just as you would in India. It’s also ingrained in the culture to be respectful of elders, so always let your elderly host take a seat before you. Be sure to also not point the soles of your bare feet to anybody while sitting. <h2 id="eat-your-food">Always finish your food</h2> When offered a meal, try and <a href="/explore/southern-asia/nepal/eat-your-way-through-nepal" target="_blank">finish food served on your plate</a>. An unfinished plate signals to your hosts that you thought the meal wasn’t satisfying.  If you’re worried that the food served is too much to handle, ask your host to politely remove some of it before touching it.  Also, be careful not to cross over food or a person while they’re seated on the floor. <h2 id="etiquette-at-cultural-sites">Etiquette for cultural site visits</h2> Though Nepal is defined as a secular country by constitution, the prominent religions of Hinduism and Buddhism permeates much of the local culture. In some Hindu temples, such as the Pashupatinath temple in <a href="/explore/southern-asia/nepal/things-to-do-in-kathmandu" target="_blank">Kathmandu</a>, non-Hindus are not allowed to enter. Buddhist shrines, however, have no such restrictions. <a href="/explore/southern-asia/nepal/temples-and-cultural-must-sees-in-nepal" target="_blank">While visiting a Buddhist shrine</a>, dress respectfully – cover shoulders and knees. Shorts are also fine as long as they are knee-length. While praying, don’t go counter-clockwise around stupas. It’s considered to bring bad luck. <h2 id="respect">Respect the locals</h2> Expect homeless alm seekers in all the temples, shrines, and public places you may visit. Though this can get annoying after a while, please consider that Nepal is a poor country and old people who are abandoned by their families have nowhere to go and turn to the streets for begging. It’s okay to throw a penny to them, as it might help them get their next meal. However, it’s discouraged to provide for children begging on the streets, as this might encourage them to pursue this as a career. <h2 id="no-whistling">No whistling</h2> Not that this situation would ever arise even in the wildest possible way, but keep in mind that it’s considered inauspicious and bad luck to whistle inside one’s house.Mahadev Rojas Toras 0