Close your eyes and picture Nepal. What comes to your mind?
Everest? Prayer flags? Temples?
If you’ve never been to Nepal, chances are, that at least one of these, will instantly come to your mind. If you’ve visited Nepal as a traveler, then you can definitely add more to that list. If you’re a Nepalese reading this, then you still stand to be wowed by that there is here.
Here’s why…
One look at the political map of Nepal, and you see this magnificent land as a landlocked country, between its two neighbors, India and China. That by no means indicates its uniformity as one land mass. There are numerous ranges beyond Everest. Numerous hills, mountains, rivers, gorges, valleys, and the like run through the length and breadth of this land, segregating it into various sections. Making it a colorful mosaic of different cultures, traditions, beliefs, flora, and fauna. It is no wonder that Nepal is teeming with over one hundred and twenty indigenous communities!
So how can native food equal only Dal Bhat and Momos?
How can the architectural style be only Pagoda?
How can the only souvenirs that you can take back home be prayer flags?
Or the only way to enjoy the stunning outdoors be only hiking and trekking?
You can dive right into a plethora of options to boost that adrenaline rush, with adventure sports like white water rafting, bungee jumping, and even sky-diving amongst splendor view of 8000s! For the ones who like a quiet connection with nature, Nepal is a paradise for bird watchers with over 8% of the world’s known species here itself. Yes, it’s all happening here! On this ever-fascinating land.
This is the inspiration behind me wanting to start a Wikipedia-like space where you can look up information on people, places, things, and basically everything that echoes Nepal. So was born, ‘Ask me about Nepal’ (AMAN). Think of it as a portal to Nepal. Except that the entry to this land will not be through Everest or Thamel, alone. It could be through a surreal orchard in Mustang, heady with the fragrance of enticing apples. Centuries peeling off a rare fresco in the lesser frequented Panauti town. Or the frail yet resilient words of an Amma (elderly lady) spinning yak hair to make rugs. The entry could also be through the lens of an enthusiastic travel blogger, stumbling upon a hidden lake, a new trekking trail, or a ‘Snow Leopard’! Or through the effortless strokes of an artist bringing the barren walls of a start-up cafe to life with anime characters.
The possibilities are endless. How do you capture it all?
This is where we go beyond the obvious.
So we delve deeper. We revisit. We explore. Through pictures and stories.
Once here, Nepal as you know it, will change forever. It will keep changing, only to enthrall and engage you further with all it keeps magically unfurling. It will never fit into those three words that you’re looking for. The more you discover, the more you ask about Nepal, and the more mesmerized you will be. This is where preconceived notions will break. New schools of thought will form. Judgment will thin out. Horizons will broaden. All because here you’ll come across authentic, well-researched insightful content made possible by a dedicated team of researchers, writers, photographers, culture enthusiasts, industry experts, and contributors. All powered by a digital platform, Think Aloud.
What’s in it for you as a Nepalese Photographer?
The chance to tell our story to the world. Through our vibrant photo bank……
Nepal is a melting pot of eclectic cultures, beliefs, and faith. Forever gurgling with awe and wonder. If you are enthusiastic about capturing it all in your photographs, then you’re at the right place. The AMAN platform will be an opportunity for you to upload your pictures and share them with an ever-growing, discerning audience. Our photo bank will also enable you to sell your pictures globally. Whether you’re an amateur or a professional, with AMAN, your talent will surely get recognized further.
What’s in it for you as a Writer/Researcher/Blogger?
The chance to broaden peoples’ perspective on Nepal. Through our written content….
There are so many facets to (un)cover on the land that is continuously evolving. History to culture to art to contemporary buzz. So much to have colorful and meaningful conversations around. This is where we need your curiosity and a knack for storytelling. Whether you write or blog or are passionate about research, you can look forward to paid assignments. Got something interesting to share? Pitch us your ideas and contribute to AMAN as a columnist or guest writer. You’ll have a global audience eager to listen to all that you have to share!
Details of Dos and don’ts for writers and photographers can be shared separately when they connect with AMAN. Long reads are more welcome but do visit our website first to see what kind of writing we are looking for. Descriptive, informative, and non-opinionated. A Third person writing is preferred, i.e no I, we, you, your, us, our… but… it, one, he, she, they, their