November 1 | Arrive in Nepal
I have just landed in Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal. Nepal is a landlocked Himalayan country in South Asia that is roughly trapezoidal shaped. It is approximately the same size as Arkansas. Kathmandu is the largest city in Nepal, with 1.5 million people living in the city and the surrounding area. Both Kathmandu and Little Rock, Arkansas, are located in river valleys. Can you help me identify the rivers near Little Rock and Kathmandu?

Unlike the United States, which is a democracy, the people of Nepal are governed by a constitutional monarchy. Instead of a president, who lives in the White House, Nepal has a king, who lives in a palace located in Kathmandu. The palace is the tourist hub of the city. At the end of my travels, I will have an opportunity to visit Washington, D.C., and tour the White House. Unfortunately, I will not get to tour the palace.

There are so many things to see and do in Nepal. This beautiful country has much in common with Arkansas, the natural state. Many people visit Nepal to go hiking, trekking, camping, mountain biking, river rafting, and fishing. Additionally, many people visit Nepal because of its many historic and religious sites, including Buddhist and Hindu temples. I hope I will have an opportunity to experience some of these adventures while I am here. Santosh is a college student who goes to school in Kathmandu and speaks English. He will be my guide and interpreter while I am visiting Nepal.

November 3 and 4 | Nepal: Wildlife Reserves
Nepal has many national parks and wildlife reserves, and Santosh and I have just returned from my first jungle safari. I had seen many exotic animals in zoos in the United States, but had never seen them in the wild. It was very exciting! During my trip, I had the opportunity to see tigers, leopards, and elephants as well as exotic birds, red pandas, hippos, and rhinos. I can’t wait to tell my friends back home that I had a chance to see these animals in their natural habits. Don’t worry mom, Santosh and I were in a protective vehicle and never got too close to the animals to be in any danger.