Whenever anybody asks about my trip to Nepal, the first thing that comes to mind are the children I encountered. Fortunately, I had plenty of opportunities to meet and interact with adorable kids during my visit to this country.
A few of my friends have joked with me and said they were surprised I didn’t pull an Angelina Jolie and adopt a child while I was away.
In all honesty, there were times when I had the urge to smuggle a few kids home with me. The reality, though, is that I don’t have a desire to care for a child full time, so I take refuge in the fact that I can always go back and volunteer to teach English and be able to spend more time with these wonderful children.
I’m not sure exactly what it was that made me fall in love with the children of Nepal. Although, it could have been their inherent kind nature or sincere friendliness that drew me in. For the most part, they don’t have a lot of material items and yet they don’t expect anything from you except your kindness and attention. Which for me, is a breath of fresh air.
Children of Nepal Photo Essay
Dhading, Nepal
Panaouti, Nepal
Dhading, Nepal
Day Care Center – Sankhu, Nepal
Small Village Between Nagarkot and Dhulikhel
Small Village Between Nagarkot and Dhulikhel
Small Village Between Nagarkot and Dhulikhel
Panaouti, Nepal
Panaouti, Nepal
Panaouti, Nepal
Dhading, Nepal
Dhading, Nepal
Pokhara, Nepal
Dhading, Nepal
The Gang in Dhading, Nepal
Tips For Interacting With Locals In Nepal
Learn the Language: Although Nepali is only the native language for just under half the population in Nepal, that doesn’t mean knowing a few key words will hurt! You’ll probably get by in Kathmandu with English, but if you really want to connect with locals, showing respect by learning the language is always a plus.
Know the Customs: Did you know that in Nepal it’s not always customary to not shake hands upon meeting someone and instead hold your hands together and “namaste”? Or that when dining with locals it is considered offensive to leave food on your plate? Knowing basic Nepali customs will help you connect with locals deeper and avoid a faux paux.
In regards to religious customs, it’s important to note that before you go inside a temple make sure to ask permission to enter, remove your shoes, and stash away your camera or ask if they’re permitted – as taking photos in most of Nepal’s temples is illegal.
Stay at a Homestay: While Nepal has a great tourist trail, there’s something about the experience of a homestay that will make your time in Nepal so much brighter. Typical Nepali homestays involve you staying with a local family (or women’s facility) and assisting with meals and cleaning, while getting an unbeatable cultural experience in return.
Check out our Fine Art Portfolio page to purchase postcards and prints of our photos!
For more Nepal travel posts, visit these pages:
Holy Man in Pashupatinath Temple, Nepal
10 Safe Destinations for Solo Female Travelers
View of the Himalaya Mountains at Sunrise from Nagarkot, Nepal
All I see is their purity and mischievous natures in these photos. So cute! I learned through my experience that kids are so interconnected everywhere. They love to play, smile, joke and get hugs. No matter the country, ethnicity, social status. 🙂
So true, Jeannie.
Amazing photos, they tell a story all by themselves.
Thank you, Rease. 🙂
stunning photos! what a life they lead.
are you seriously considering volunteering over there?
that would be an amazing experience.
we did some volunteer work in peru with kids and got really touched by it all.
so i say go for it!
Yes, I am. I’m not sure when it when because we have a big trip planned and going back to that side of the world isn’t included in those plans as of yet, but you never know. 😉 I can definitely see it being a very positive experience.
I’m with you. I don’t have the desire to have a child either, but I feel the same way about the children of Kenya that I have been lucky enough to go help the last two years ( leaving again for my third time in two weeks)
Do you have an organization that you went with to Nepal? I really want to go, but want to go with a group that doesn’t non-profit work of some kind.
I love your photo’s!
That’s great, William. I do have contact information for the main person who puts these volunteer programs together. I will get his website and forward it on to you. It’s definitely a non-profit. This person is all about helping the Nepali people. Thank you for your kind words on the photos!
Here is the link http://www.cross-borders.info/. It has to be translated to English though.
Some great captures. Portraits are quite difficult, you’ve done well!!
Thank you! That was my photographic goal for this trip. I wanted to get comfortable asking strangers to take their photos. There were only a couple of times where people said no. Most people really loved getting their photos taken. Especially the children.
Wow… What compelling eyes these kids have.
Interestingly, last week I couch surfered for 2 days with some Nepalese university students in the northernmost town of Japan after I finished cycling the length of the country. They were really nice guys and were studying IT programming in order to go back to Nepal, start a business, and help the country.
Great post.
Look into the eyes of those beautiful children!! Namaste!! Great shots!!– keep them coming!!
Thanks, Joanne. Glad you enjoyed them. Namaste!
Wow – stunning photos. Their faces are so sweet. The kids in Colombia are like that too – kindness and attention. It’s humbling.
Thank you, Steph!
Great shots guys. There really is something about kids that invoke emotion on every level. You have managed to capture that here. Kudos!
Thank you guys! I appreciate your kind words.
nice pictures
😀
Portraits – so hard to do well, but so well done here! Great job.
Thank you! Portraits of strangers can be intimidating, but I’ve gotten a lot better at asking people to take their photo.
these are such lovely shots! Congrats.
Thank you, Michael!
Great pictures! I love the one with the little boy crossing his arms in front of the house. I really don’t take pictures of people enough. Maybe that can be a new goal for me…
Such engaging and true photos. Excellent post, takes me right back to Nepal.
Thank you!
Great photos! I have to say there were a few instances travelling in Asia (especially China, for some reason!) when I wanted to hide a baby in my pack and take it home 😀
Volunteering in Nepal would be an amazing experience. It was something I had planned to do while I was there towards the end of last year but didn’t end up doing for various reasons – it’s at the top of my list for when I head back to that region in a couple of years.
That’s great, Megan. It’s definitely a country in need of our help. 🙂
Stunning set of portraits. I keep looking through them to pull out a favourite, but they’re all so good. I do love the one of the boy with his arms crossed in front of his home. I also really love the smile of the girl in Dhading.
It’s really amazing how children everywhere are always willing to share their enthusiasm with you. Their kindness makes for instant happiness. Thanks for sharing.
Aww.. that’s so kind of you to say. Thank you. Some of these kids wouldn’t let me STOP taking pictures of them. lol. 🙂
Gorgeous photos – the children look so cute and curious! I bet it was hard to leave… ~Andrea.
Thank you! It was especially hard to leave Dhading.
Unbelievably cute children and great shots!
Thank you!
There seem to be a lot of stories and laughter behind those faces. I always have a hard time photographing people, but you have really captured some great emotions in these children.
Thank you, Suzy. I like that the children are not conditioned to smile every time a camera is pointed at them. It makes for much more interesting photos.
What sweet innocent faces….you’ve captured the heart and soul of those little ones.
Thank you, Renee!
You are such an awesome photographer, Christy! I’m always impressed and inspired by your photos – it makes me want to get my booty in gear and learn more. 🙂
You are too kind. Thank you so much, Christy & Kali! It’s a lot of work learning constantly and I spend half my life doing photography, but it’s sooo worth it!
Omg they’re gorgeous 🙂 Great photos!
Thanks, Angela!
They all look so cute!
These photos are so beautiful… they say a lot about daily life and really give you a feel for the place. The girl in the blue and white dress looks like a doll! Makes me want to go to Nepal even more 🙂
Thank you! I thought the same thing about the girl in the blue dress. Her dress reminds me of Alice and Wonderland.
OMG these pictures are AMAZING!!! I have tears of joy just looking at them. I know how you feel. This is exactly how I felt with the children in Guatemala. They are just so adorable and so sweet and happy!!!
Thank you for such a lovely comment, Jaime. I find it interesting that even though many of them are not smiling in these photos, we can see them smiling with their eyes.
Great pictures and I love the idea that they only want kindness and attention which is what most humans want. My first thought was of the children I see throwing temper tantrums for not getting some thing they want. It is incredible the differences in other parts of this country and the world with those who have so little
Thanks for sharing this
eileen
My thoughts exactly, Eileen. It’s difficult to see children who have so little versus children who have more than they could possibly need and still want more. I know it’s not the fault of the child, but it is eye opening to see the differences in how children act because of their upbringing.
I have wanted to go to Nepal all my life. Great photos of beautiful kids. 🙂
My favorite pictures from Nepal were definitely of the children- they are so sweet.
Beautiful photos. I have always wanted to visit Nepal. One day…
beautiful photos and adorable children. sounds like a good trip!
Wow, these are amazing. Fantastic job.
Thanks, Candice!
Really stunning photos of cute faces.Your post remind me the company of hill tribe children at chiang mai,Thailand.As Jeannie said children are interconnected everywhere. But lack of resources some time become barrier to their joys.It hurts me most.
Absolutely loved seeing your story through these amazing faces! Nepal has always been on the top of my list of places to visit and work/volunteer. Definitely warmed my heart this morning =)
Amazing photos!
These are simply stunning shots! The children are adorable!
They’re beautiful, beautiful kids and you’ve photographed them beautifully 🙂
Thank you for your kind words. I agree, the children are beautiful inside and out.
Beautiful photos!
Thank you, Kimberly!