We don’t cheat, but are cheated upon
We don’t cheat, but are cheated upon
Most taxi users in Kathmandu complain of taxi drivers cheating them on fare. Either these taxies have a tampered meter, or they don’t want to go by the meter. Passengers claim taxi drivers often ask for exorbitant fares. They also complain that taxi drivers decline to go if the destination is close. The taxi drivers’ version, on the other hand, is rarely heard. This week, APEX caught up with 12 taxi drivers on the streets of Kathmandu and asked what they made of the cheating allegations against them.
Ram Sharan Negi, 51
I have been in this occupation for 30 years. I respect the will of passengers. I am okay whether they want to go by the meter or negotiate a price beforehand. But not all taxi drivers are so respecting of the passenger’s wishes.
Kumar Niraula, 40
Actually, taxi drivers don’t cheat but are cheated upon. Salary rises in other jobs, but the taxi fare has remained the same, year after year. We have been compelled to seek a little extra fare.
Sambhu Thami, 30
No one snatches money from the passengers. People ride taxi after negotiating. They can complain to the traffic police in the event of cheating. I go by the meter even if I am at loss.
Kamal Bahadur Dahal, 45
I usually go by the meter. But sometimes passengers reject the meter and negotiate a price. Whatever I earn is inadequate. Only an increase in official fares can solve our problems.
Yalambar Chaudhary, 21
I started driving taxi two years ago. I ask passengers to add a little to on-the-meter fare so that I earn enough to sustain my livelihood. We don’t cheat.
Dil Bahadur Magar, 39
I don’t mind going by the meter but there should be a scientific fare. In other countries, meter rates are fair. Also, the passengers who refuse to go by the meter are also cheats. Why only vilify us?
Arjun Kumar Shrestha, 40
Even if some taxi drivers cheat, cheating is not universal. But you also have to bear in mind that the meter rate hasn’t been revised since 2012. Taxes and maintenance expenses have gone up. I strongly demand an adjustment in fares.
Nima Dorjey Tamang, 29
As a taxi stand or parking space is hard to find, I have to keep driving even without passengers. That takes up petrol. Moreover, online ride bookings have created problems for us. So we have to charge a little extra to survive.
Dhan Bahadur Magar, 36
Passengers try to avoid going by the meter as it keeps running even during traffic jams. On the other hand, petrol prices continue to rise. Taxi drivers like me suffer as a result. And not all passengers are friendly and understanding.
Raj Kumar Tamang, 29
The meter fare is unfair. In other countries, petrol is much cheaper. Whatever we earn is spent on petrol, maintenance, taxes, and our day-to-day survival. So driving a taxi in Kathmandu is not easy.
Kishore Rai, 35
Yes, not all taxi drivers are honest. But I go by the meter unless the passengers ask otherwise. See, I am without passengers today. The meter fare is too low, and not enough for us to survive.
Saroj Lama, 32
The fixed taxi fares are way too old and inadequate. If you don’t own a taxi, you are obliged to ask for a little extra from passengers as you also pay for the rental. More than the passengers, it is the taxi drivers who suffer.
Trekking guides on all fours in Nepal
I was laughing with a friend about my recent visit to the cinema to see a film entitled ‘Call of the Wild’. This looked beautiful in the trailer but I was surprised when the movie turned out to be, basically, about an animated dog! I mentioned that the main dog star was what I would call Heinz variety (meaning a mixed breed), there as a husky in the film. “Hey didn’t I tell you, we now have a husky that accompanies guests on our treks?” I was told. This definitely needs investigating.
I talked with Pradeep Guragain from Magical Nepal who explained, “I’ve had Fluffy since he was a small puppy. He is now one and half years. He is a Siberian Husky and I got him specifically for the outdoors, since this is where I spend a lot of my time.” I know that the Siberian Husky is bred for strength and endurance and that they come from a cold climate but I wondered how Fluffy fairs in Nepal.
I soon discover that Fluffy not only likes outdoors, he loves the mountains and has accompanied trekking clients on several treks. So where exactly has Fluffy been? I was told so far he has gone to Manaslu and Upper Mustang. Ideally, he prefers to run on snow but as long as the temperature is low he is happy with whatever trail he gets to follow.
And what do the clients on the trek think of having Fluffy along? “Clients just love to have Fluffy on the trek. He runs ahead and waits at forks in the trails as if he is really guiding them,” explains Guragain. “Somehow it makes the guests feel secure to have him along. You know, because dogs in other countries are used as both rescue dogs and as pets. People just feel more comfortable knowing he is there, and in the evening he loves being petted around the fire.” Seems he is a goodwill ambassador for Nepal!
From the pictures I was shown of Fluffy on Manaslu, I see he was at Larke Pass. With a height of 5,167m I wonder if he feels altitude the same way we do. Well, seemingly dogs can get altitude sickness, but it’s not as common as in humans. “Since our clients are going slowly for acclimatization reasons, Fluffy automatically goes slowly too. We just need to ensure that, like us, he drinks enough on the trip,” adds Guragain.
When not on treks Fluffy lives in Kathmandu with Guragain and a new addition to the household, Charlie, a nine-month-old Golden Retriever who although too young yet to go on treks, is a wonderful companion for Fluffy. Currently Fluffy accompanies Charlie on day treks around the Kathmandu Valley. Perhaps getting him ready for longer treks in the future?
I for one would love to have Fluffy on my trek and I’m sure the clients have lots of great stories and photos to take home of the time they went trekking in the Himalayas with a Husky!
For more information about Fluffy’s experiences on the treks see Magical Nepal on Facebook or https://www.traveloutset.com
Catch 22 continues on its timeless journey
When the “Catch 22” was formed in 1996 in Kathmandu, it was a unique outfit of talented musicians who could, even back then, actually play their respective instruments, rather than only posing with them. They were able to justify their recordings with equally accomplished live performances. With Prallen Pradhan on drums and vocals, popular Indian musician Chris Masand on keyboards, Raja Rubin Sinha on guitars, and Niraj “Priest” on bass, the rock-inspired band with incorporated elements of blues and jazz took off.
In 1997, the band released its debut album “A Raat Ko Charaa” which sold hand-to-hand in colleges and friend circles. The album did well considering the market it catered to, but it’s the band’s later singles like “Kathmandu” (1998) and “Ojhel” (2001) that would give the outfit wider popularity. The music videos of these songs were made in early days of commercial Nepali music and paved a way for the mainstreaming of rock music.
With a changed lineup, in 2007 the band released its second album “Plan B”, giving us the rock riff-based hit “Yatri.” The band, unfortunately, was forced into another hiatus after that.
“You can take the boys out of music but you can never take music out of the boys,” says Prallen Pradhan, the vocalist. “The hiatus was painful as some members could not see the same big picture we had in our minds. And the people who didn’t leave the sinking ship eventually formed the current lineup.” Sun Dangol (guitars) was already a close associate of the band since 2004. Sanam Shrestha (drums) was a big catalyst in getting the band back together and new additions followed in the form of Sonam Bhutia (bass) and Amit Khadgi (rhythm and second lead guitar) to form the current Catch 22 lineup.
The comeback owes to Prallen’s expressive self and the determination not to let the band’s legacy fade. “Ojhel,” “Kathmandu” and “Yatri” are still popular among the current generation of music lovers and Catch 22 had to give continuity to their music. “People can still relate to our songs with their own experiences. Guess we can’t put a time stamp on longevity,” says Prallen about the band’s music. “Yatri is quintessentially a song about having a free spirit and not being bound to anyone’s love or validation. Ojhel is also still highly relatable and many youngsters do its covers.
A change in lineup which includes experienced musicians in their early 30s and 40s means a change in the band’s sound too. The band will continue with its old Catch 22 rock vibe and also experiment with ballads, jazz rock and fusion music.
How challenging will it be for a band of yesteryears to join the music industry now dominated by youngsters? “Well it’s not going to be a challenge to us because we see this as a journey and not a competition,” Prallen says. “The challenge lies within us as we have to find the right inspiration and write the right songs.”
Catch 22 is managed by the Live & Loud Pvt Ltd. The band plays its comeback show at Lord of the Drinks, Thamel on March 21.
Top six things to do with toilet paper
You might have noticed some countries going crazy over toilet paper. And in case you think you are missing out on something, and personally I am wondering a bit myself, here are my top six things we can do with it.
1. Insulate your home: As we know houses in Nepal are rarely, if ever, insulated. Particularly those made of concrete. Hot in the summer, cold in the winter. So while those living in traditional mud brick or bamboo houses are laughing at us in the winter as we shiver in our fridge boxes made of concrete blocks, we can now have the last laugh. Use your hoarded toilet paper to create a barrier between yourself and outside world—for insulation I mean. But of course if you don’t get on with your neighbors you could always use it to block off your windows and gate to keep nosey parkers out too. Saves money on curtains as well. Bonus!
2. Ear plugs: As your neighbors retaliate to the fact they can no longer peek into your home to see what you are up to by turning up the volume on their TV or YouTube channel, simply stuff your ears with toilet paper! Excellent also for those with teenagers who play MTV at high volume.
3. Escape route: If you really cannot stand your neighbors (or kids) any longer, simply unroll the toilet paper and create an escape rope to climb out of your window. Don’t forget to use double-ply for this. Also very handy for teenagers trying to head to Thamel without parents’ permission in the evening!
4. Decorate early for Tihar: I’ve always been surprised that Tihar decorations tend to stay up for months after the festival has been and gone. So here is another way to get one up on the neighbors—decorate now for this coming Tihar! If you are artistic, you can color the toilet paper or make spectacular flowers out of it. Alternatively, spend a little more money and get some already decorated with dolphins. Also good practice for your next wedding. Just think how lovely the party palace or bride’s car will look decorated with toilet paper flowers. More savings!
5. Get the kids involved: Once you have the house decorated, your kids will want to do more! One suggestion is to wrap yourself up in toilet paper and play Invisible Man or The Mummy. Hours of fun! Too exhausting? Use the empty cardboard toilet roll holders you now have by the dozen in a more peaceful activity. There are a million and one things—okay, slight exaggeration—to do with the toilet paper inners.
Make puppets. Either the more basic kind by simply drawing faces onto the cardboard roll. Add legs and arms by cutting up another roll. But come on folks, let’s get more artistic here. My favorite is wrapping the roll with wool you have stolen from Grannies knitting bag. Cover the roll with glue first so it sticks. Add eyes and a tail and there you have an animal of your choice. For older children, let them make gifts such as pencil holders or (artificial) flower holders. The list is limited only by your imagination!
6. Write your memoirs: Forgot to stock up on writing paper? Fear not, you can always write your memoirs on toilet paper. Who knows you might become the next big thing in print! And if your potential Booker prize winner is a flop, you know what you can do with the manuscript.
