good to read this article..... The news from Nepal is alarming. The airports are closed. Communications are shut down. Soldiers are patrolling the streets. The country has officially declared a state of emergency. Since the beginning of the Maoist insurgency, the political and social situation has been a threat to many potential tourists. With the murder of an entire Royal family, a perennial economic crisis, and now a government coup, potential visitors to Nepal are looking at other places on the map to visit. But those planning to go climbing or trekking to the Himalayan Kingdom should wait and see before asking for a refund of their plane tickets. In Nepal, you never know what will happen. Not the first time Today?s events are not the first time king Gyanendra has fired the entire parliament and declared a state of emergency. Kathmandu, the nation?s capitol, suffered several blockades and flights in and out of the town have been cancelled many times. Last fall, demonstrations shut down transportation during the post-monsoon climbing and trekking season. The Maoist guerillas paralyzed the country?s citizens with fear by calling all citizens to the general strike and threatening anyone who refused to follow it. However, no foreigners were harmed. Some teams were delayed for a few days. Others changed flights to reach Nepal through alternative routes. Despite the inconveniences, everybody reached their destinations safely. If they didn?t make it to their aimed summits, it was not because they were arrested by army or guerrilla troops, or trapped in a town under siege. It was due to bad weather, illness or exhaustion. Now, what to do: There are two obvious instructions to follow when traveling in a foreign country: Have common sense and listen to the locals. This advice can be applied to Nepal today. What if the road is blocked or the airport closed? Flights may be cancelled in case of trouble, but they will likely be restored in a few days. Some air lines have more difficulties, depending on their country and the actual trouble. Last fall, after 12 Nepalese were kidnapped and executed in Iraq, travel agencies from Muslim countries suffered attacks in their Kathmandu offices. In that case, your chosen airline could rearrange your flight, get a different itinerary, or help you get a seat with another company. Road blockades may turn a two hour trip into a 24 hour nightmare. However, local agencies will have a clearer understanding of the situation. They will delay your departure if there is a threat. In such cases, they should offer alternatives such as domestic flights or helicopter lifts. The curfew State of emergency usually includes a curfew in Kathmandu and other cities. The strictness depends on the situation. Again, ask for advice before going out at night looking for adventure. Ask your hotel staff or the local outfitter. Be sensible, look around, and do what others do. A strict curfew may take time away going out for dinner or shopping, but so what? You came here to climb, didn?t you? What about the Maoists Social and political strife is much less noticeable once out from the main town. In the countryside, the amazing landscape, smiling faces, fierce rivers and impressive peaks will remain the same. So will the Maoists, who control a great part of Nepal?s rural regions. Maoist's haven't touched tourists yet The Maoist conflict has been a hindrance to progress in the region. Since the beginning of the conflict, more than 10000 people died, including army troops, rebels and civilians. However, the Maoists have claimed that they have no intention to harm any foreigner, and they have kept their promise so far. They will ask for money, though. They have very strong arguments to convince climbers and trekkers to ?support their fight?. Mao fee bargain Teams have reported on their encounters with the Maoists, while approaching the mountains. Some said Maoists had bitter words or threats when a foreigner refused to pay. Others said they suffered different fees according to their nationalities. ?Rich? Americans and Japanese are sometimes asked more. Some Russian climbers mentioned they were offered a special price due to their ?communist roots?. Climbers from ?humble? countries used that fact a bargaining tool to get a lower fee. No escaping donations In any case, be ready to pay. If you are part of a team, the outfitter will tell you what to do. If you are on your own, keep calm, smile, talk and have the money ready. The guerrilla will give you an ?invoice? proving you have contributed, to be shown to any other Maoist party you might find. Usually, there is no need. The news will spread through the valley. They will know exactly who you are when you arrive. Last spring, Spaniard Inaki Ochoa thought he would avoid a fee by flying in a chopper straight to Makalu base camp. The very next morning, two kids armed with knives climbed all the way to BC to meet Ochoa on the glacier and get the ?donation?. Still a beautiful place It is true that Nepal is not going through its best years. Traveling there requires sensitivity and being careful. But as the saying goes - haste makes waste. Let?s wait and see how the situation evolves during upcoming days before making a decision we may later regret. Nepal is a wonderful country with some problems. A decrease in tourism income can only make things worse. Good luck and have a safe trip.