Delightful December Days
It’s the last month of the year, days are getting longer—and colder—and it’s time to pull out your cozy wraps and sweaters, prepare rich, warming foods for those we love, and just generally enjoy this time of year. As you might be able to tell, I’m one of those people who really love cold weather! Whether you do or not, though, I think you’ll find lots to love in this issue, as we wrap up the year with a variety of topics and fascinating articles.
Our cover story is an in-depth look at some of Nepal’s unique ethnic folk instruments. Did you know that there are 1,325 different types of traditional instruments in this country? Well, I certainly didn’t, and learning more about them has been enjoyable, as well as humbling. Keeping these classical, historic instruments and those that make and play them in the public eye is an important and much-needed endeavor, as it is with those pieces of Nepal’s heritage that are at risk of disappearing.
The Patan Museum celebrated its twentieth anniversary this year, and our heritage writer has a good piece about its past and present. Ancient Newari rituals can be found in these pages too, along with an historic festival that once ran for an entire month (see our photo story). A writer shares her chance meeting with a woman who climbed Mt. Everest after her return from the Middle East in order to draw attention to women’s issues.
Travelers share their tales—from Poon Hill to Ghandruk, a hike along the valley’s edge, and reminiscences of Kalimpong. Have you been anywhere special that you’d like to tell our readers about? To have your story considered, contact us at editorial@ecs.com.np and tell us about it!
And for those of us who are spending December in Kathmandu this year, we have an article that sums up what’s going to happen and where, so that you can celebrate Christmas and New Year’s in style! Yes, it may be hard to believe, but 2017 is drawing to a close.
Enjoy yourself, spend time with those you love, and we’ll see you again in 2018!
Evangeline Neve
Associate Editor
