View of a Local in Kathmandu, Nepal

Journalist Dinesh Wagle finds time in between reporting from the peace agreement in Nepal to tell us about living in Kathmandu and blogging for political changes.

Briefly, please could you tell us a bit about yourself?

I am Dinesh Wagle, a journalist and blogger based in Kathmandu, Nepal. I work for Kantipur daily newspaper, Nepal’s largest and first private sector daily as the coordinator of its arts and style section. I also write on technology and lifestyle in the newspaper.

I am a blogger who started the first blogging site in Nepal. Wagle Street Journal was the first web site of a journalist in Nepal that went online in early 2003. I maintain a personal blog in this site whereas I blog on various political and social issues in another blog site called United We Blog (UWB).

Please could you tell us about your involvement with United We Blog?

United We Blog was launched on October 1, 2004 as I wanted to incorporate many other journalists in the blogging foray. The site gained popularity and hit headlines after King Gyanendra dismissed democracy and imposed autocracy on Feb 1, 2005. The site fearlessly reported pro-democracy rallies at a time when censorship was imposed in the media by king Gyanendra’s regime and gained widespread attention from media like Reuters and BBC.

What can travellers to Nepal do to help United We Blog?

Well, their arrival to Nepal will be enough for UWB as we don’t want any specialized help for the site. The more tourists for the country, the better for UWB.

How long have you lived in Kathmandu?

I have been living in this city for the last 16 years. I came here at the age of 11 to study in a boarding school. Since then, I have been living in the city. I went to school and college in Kathmandu and I am now working in Kathmandu.

What do you like most about living in Kathmandu?

Being in touch with the world while enjoying the life and time. Since Kathmandu is the biggest city in Nepal, it has all the facility that other cities don’t have.

Is there anything you do not like about living in Kathmandu?

Of course, the ever worsening traffic situation. But compared to other world cities, it’s nothing.

Why should travellers visit Kathmandu?

To feel the aura of the fusion of the Eastern and Western cultures. This is the city where people worship vehicles and there is a special day for that. This is the city where you will see eastern religious practices and western disco dances within the distance of 100 meters.

What do you wish travellers would do when they visit Kathmandu?

Experience the life, the local life. Not just spending their time in restaurants and other modern facilities but go to non-tourist area, walk around the streets and probably talk with people.

What do you wish travellers would stop doing when they visit Kathmandu?

Just going around the tourist area taking pictures. There are so many places, especially non-tourist areas, which they can explore and enjoy.

If a visitor had time to do or see only one thing in Kathmandu, what should it be?

Then I must say, it’s Kathmandu Durbar Square which is one of the major attractions in the town.

If a visitor had time for only one meal in Kathmandu, which dish would you recommend?

Of course, Nepali food (rice, vegetables and lentil). This food is popularly known as dal bhat. [ed: you can find a recipe for dal bhat here >>.]

Do you have any other insider tips for visitors to Kathmandu?

Go to non-tourist area or fields in Bhaktapur and interact with locals. [ed: Bhaktapur (the City of Devotees) lies about 14km east of Kathmandu's city centre with architecture dating back as far as the 15th century.]

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Our new View of a Local series consists of interviews with local people in various towns and cities in different countries.

The map below shows the places covered so far.

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For more information about how you can take part in our View of a Local series, please go to our View of a Local page >>

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