Nepal is a shopping MECCA! Coming from Africa, my brain is on overload trying to process all the options. And how utterly cheap everything is! I am trying extremely hard not to whip myself into a shopping frenzy, but I am seeing signs of complete breakdown.
Diaper Pants (aka Hammer Pants)
All the tourists wear them, because, well, “when in Rome”…an expression meaning you will try or do something to fit in with local culture. Except zero Nepalis wear diaper pants, so I’m not sure what the rationale is here.
Anyways, I obviously bought some. But they are better than most because the crotch hits at the ankles and they can be worn as pants OR a onesie! I mean, come ON!
Baby Hat
I bought a hat the other day. Ok, well, it’s technically a hair clip. But glued onto the clip is this tiny little hat with a gem and feather poking out of it. Wearing it elicits a huge response from passersby. It’s about 50/50 bewilderment vs. jealousy. Some will sneak a glance, wondering WTF they are looking at. Others marvel at its beauty while smiling, laughing, pointing. In either case, if I happen to catch the onlookers, I will give them a polite tip-of-the-hat and curtsy.
When both are worn together, it gives off intense clown vibes. Coupled with thick, black eye makeup, bright red poorly-applied lipstick, and all of the jewelry you own and you’ve turned yourself into one beautiful beast. Fortunately, the people over at the fancy restaurant down the street got a feast for their eyes when my sister and I rolled in for our final dinner.
Other than those staple purchases, I'm giving myself a 24-hour countdown before I completely break down and go nuts on all the fake North Face/Mammut/etc outdoor gear.
Diaper Pants (aka Hammer Pants)
All the tourists wear them, because, well, “when in Rome”…an expression meaning you will try or do something to fit in with local culture. Except zero Nepalis wear diaper pants, so I’m not sure what the rationale is here.
Anyways, I obviously bought some. But they are better than most because the crotch hits at the ankles and they can be worn as pants OR a onesie! I mean, come ON!
I bought a hat the other day. Ok, well, it’s technically a hair clip. But glued onto the clip is this tiny little hat with a gem and feather poking out of it. Wearing it elicits a huge response from passersby. It’s about 50/50 bewilderment vs. jealousy. Some will sneak a glance, wondering WTF they are looking at. Others marvel at its beauty while smiling, laughing, pointing. In either case, if I happen to catch the onlookers, I will give them a polite tip-of-the-hat and curtsy.
When both are worn together, it gives off intense clown vibes. Coupled with thick, black eye makeup, bright red poorly-applied lipstick, and all of the jewelry you own and you’ve turned yourself into one beautiful beast. Fortunately, the people over at the fancy restaurant down the street got a feast for their eyes when my sister and I rolled in for our final dinner.
Other than those staple purchases, I'm giving myself a 24-hour countdown before I completely break down and go nuts on all the fake North Face/Mammut/etc outdoor gear.
