I've been back for a few months and I thought I'd share my thoughts on this.

I've long-established that unless you've got ties/connections and strong roots, there's absolutely no point of returning back; Well, unless you're soul searching or something of that sort.

It's worse for women; Kathmandu/Nepal is a shithole for average women, especially those 'accustomed' to liberty, freedom, expression et al. Forget 'rural areas'. Kathmandu itself is a shit hole for women. That added to the fact that there's shit splattered all over - be it in the form of sewer or uncivilized bums taking a dump all over sidewalks, that makes it even shittier.

Apparently, microbuses have 3-4 designated seats for women these days. But considering the fact that women are more reliant on public transportations, can you imagine the nightmarish situation they go through while trying to get home at 5:30 in the evening? How many people can afford cabs/private vehicles? Try hollering for a cab at 9:30, semi-drunk after meeting up with a few friends for drinks.

Say you're financially better off and can afford a scooter or hell, really well off and can afford your own car. The shit that you get through to get your car serviced and in worst cases, pertaining to accidents, the scenario is both cringeworthy and scary.

Lets get into juicier topics now - Politics. Corruption. Bureaucracy.

I went to pay "tiro" for my ghar (that's been rented out) last month. Since there was a miscommunication on my part with current lessees, I ended up (re)paying the taxes that'd already been paid! This happened in Lalitpur that's been digitalized and is equipped with computers now. How infuriating is that?

Outraged, I stormed inside the office the next day, demanding refund. The clerk was paying solitaire on his computer while there was a line outside.

If that's the sort of shit one has to go through in the valley, what's one supposed to do if he's from some rural area?

I could go on about the way people talk, the way people behave. The way people drive is absolutely insane. Roadrage that one experiences in the US is totally different than what s/he experiences here. Ignorance is everywhere. People don't seem to know simple rules of driving. There's no system of "yielding" or "merging". There's no sense of "right-of-way". I was told that regardless of a bike rider's recklessness, you'd still be held liable if you got involved in an accident. That certainly makes you wonder if a go-pro or some dashcam fitted on your windshield might help your cases at all.

Speaking of bike riders, they're the biggest tools you'd come across. Everybody's in a rush when s/he is on a bike/scooter. Literally. Every fkn person. The only exceptions are the ones carrying infants and kids.  Bike riders are biggest idiots except for people that seemingly give little/no personal space when lining up at a counter/window/door.

Traffic 'officials' are the only ones that seem to do their job. Big ups to every one of them. I'd read about some trafficwoman being diagnosed with TB after serving 18 yrs in the valley and the state of pollution gives you an idea about what must've caused it.

All the rant/jibberish talk aside, home is where the heart is. If you're willing to accept the country for what it is, I'm sure you'll like it.

I hated almost about everything at the beginning but I'm not going to pretend like this is something I didn't expect. I don't love filthy air and atmosphere. I despise the way people shamelessly piss and spit all over. I cringe at the way people don't value personal space. But slowly but surely, I'm getting 'used to it' but I'm not sure if this is what I really seek and aspire.

That said, I'd be shocked if Racheeta didn't have means and resources to lead a good life in Nepal. 

Best wishes and power to you!