I never thought I would have reason to say to someone, "Sorry I'm late, it took longer to dismember the goat than originally planned." I was twenty-six years old, worked at a well-paid job, rented a fantastic apartment, and enjoyed a large circle of friends. I had everything, except I didn't. I couldn't shake the feeling I was missing out on the experience of living. Part guidebook on culture and travel, part journey of self-discovery, this travelogue takes you on a backpacking adventure through Nepal and Thailand and provides a firsthand account of one volunteer's experience teaching in a Nepali school and living with a devout Brahmin family. Trek with me through the bamboo forests and terraced mountaintops of eastern Nepal, take a wild river-rafting ride in class IV waters, go on an elephant ride and encounter a charging rhinoceros on jungle walks in Chitwan National Park, sea-kayak the surreal waters of Krabi, and snorkel in the Gulf of Thailand. Join me on some of the scariest bus rides you could imagine, explore beautiful and intriguing temples, experience religious rituals unknown to most Westerners, and visit mind-blowing places not mentioned in your typical travel guides. Notes of a Naive Traveler is a must-read for those interested in learning more about - or wishing to travel to - Nepal and Thailand. I hope it inspires you to see these amazing countries for yourself. Includes 25 photos of Nepal and Thailand, taken by the author during her trip. Winner of a Readers' Favorite 5 Star Medal.

Let's visit Nepal and see what kinds of animals, worship buildings, art works, and more we can find!

A comprehensive and accessible one-volume history of Nepal, first published in 2005.

With An Introduction By H.H. Risley.

The Resource for the Independent Traveler For over forty years Let's Go Travel Guides have brought budget-savvy travelers closer to the world and its diverse cultures by providing the most up-to-date information. Includes: · Entries at all price levels for lodging, food, attractions, and more · Must-have tips for planning your trip, getting around, and staying safe · Expanded coverage of trekking with day-to-day trail descriptions · In-depth cultural information that offers an insider's look at life in the region · The scoop on India's swankest nightlife · Detailed maps of cities, towns, and the outdoors Featuring not-to-be-missed Experiences Cultural Connections: Master the art of Nepali cooking near Kathmandu Inside Scoops & Hidden Deals: Gather your own chai in the fields of Darjeeling Off the Beaten Path: Traverse the Himalayas on Karnali's white water Get advice, read up, and book tickets at www.letsgo.com

The socio-political landscape of Nepal has been rocked by dramatic and far-reaching changes in the past thirty years. Following a ten-year Maoist revolution and civil war, the country has transitioned from a monarchy to a republic. The former Hindu kingdom has declared its commitment to secularism, without coming to any agreement on what secularism means or should mean in the Nepalese context. What happens to religion under conditions of such rapid social and political change? How do the changes in public festivals reflect and/or create new group identities? Is the gap between the urban and the rural narrowing? How is the state dealing with Nepal’s multicultural and multi-religious society? How are Nepalis understanding, resisting, and adapting ideas of secularism? In order to answer these important questions, this volume brings together eleven case studies by an international team of anthropologists and ethno-Indologists of Nepal on such diverse topics as secularism, individualism, shamanism, animal sacrifice, the role of state functionaries in festivals, clashes and synergies between Maoism and Buddhism, and conversion to Christianity. In an Afterword, renowned political theorist Rajeev Bhargava presents a comparative analysis of Nepal’s experiences and asks whether the country is finding its own solution to the conundrum of secularism.

"Barbara Scot gives us the Nepal she saw, touched, visited with a feminist's respect for difference. Hers is a tale of sharing, and we are privileged to see through her eyes, understand through her exquisite sensibility."-Margaret Randall "This provocative book deserves attention from anyone interested in cross-cultural communication and the complex issues of development work."- Yoga Journal "Scot's year in Nepal was extraordinary. What she discovered about herself, about Nepal and the Nepalis themselves is beautifully told."- Seattle Times "While Scot never sugarcoats the hardships, she fulfills two of the travel writer's most important tasks: evoking a deep sense of place and instilling in readers a desire to go there."- Booklist The Violet Shyness of Their Eyes is a moving account of a Western woman's transformative sojourn in Nepal. Barbara Scot demonstrates insight into cultural difference while confronting the complex issues of development work and the status of women in Nepal. In vivid descriptions of mountain climbs, moving stories of the Nepalis and the retelling of her personal memories, Scot challenges readers with women's global struggles while nurturing a deep empathy and respect for the Nepali people. Scot updates her travels in this revised edition. Barbara J. Scot is an avid climber, hiker and naturalist. She is the author of Prairie Reunion (Farrar, Strauss & Giroux), which received a New York Times Notable Book citation, and The Stations of Still Creek (Sierra Club Books). She lives on a houseboat near Portland, Oregon.