Chitwan (415m) → Butwal (150m) → Lumbini (150m) | the tropical terai
Not every day high up high up mountains, some days it’s tropical plains too lol. Chitwan feels surreal. You reach Sauraha and suddenly you’re seeing animals you thought only existed in zoos or The Lion King: regal elephants, stoic rhinos, crocodiles patrolling the water.
There’s something absurd about being on the back of an elephant while watching rhinos just… exist. The people of Chitwan are proud of their connection to these protective spirits (their cricket team is literally the Chitwan Rhinos), but the heat here is different. The Nepali sun feels unfiltered, it slaps your face with no warning. I was new to this whole tropical plains thing known as the Terai region.
After a rickshaw ride, a Scooby-Doo looking local bus, and a long drive through the plains, we reached Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha.
I’ve never seen two religions coexist like they do in Nepal. At mandirs you might find a Buddha statue and at stupas you might see a small Ganesh shrine tucked in the corner. Buddhists celebrating Dashain and Tihar with everyone else. I’ve never been religious, but standing at the ground zero of a religion makes you understand the devotion people carry and the caretakers preserving monuments older than countries, refusing to let their culture fade.
Yes, Nepal is a “poor” country, the reminders are everywhere. I’m not here to defend its flaws. But this is a nation that was never colonized, squeezed between two superpowers yet stands firm in its identity.
My lineage runs through all of this - the language of my forefathers, the gods my ancestors prayed to, the food they grew, even the same moon they looked at. There are countries that would give up their whole gold reserves to have what we have. 🇳🇵🇳🇵🇳🇵
Pokhara (822m) → Marpha (2,670m) → Jomsom (2,750m) | “journey to the Himal”
I swear I’ve never experienced anything like this journey. To even get here, you’ve gotta drive on roads so close to the edge of a cliff it feels like someone sneezing in the car could tip you over. You finally make it to Pokhara and start to understand just how diverse the lands of Nepal really are.
Then comes the journey into Lower Mustang (a place higher than three CN Towers stacked, btw) and you realize you’re stepping into an ancient world. You watch as mountains blend into clouds and the hills you looked up at start to look like small mounds.
Some of these rock formations are as old as the Earth itself. Corners tucked beneath the cliffs probably get four hours of sunlight on a super blessed day. You drive higher and higher, the air gets thinner and thinner, and even the basics leave you breathless, in more ways than one. (Shoutout my lungs for working OT)
From a temple at the bottom of a cave, to an apple orchard at 2,500m, to a Himalayan mountain desert at 2,750m… my eyes have been blessed to see a lot, but there’s something humbling about journeying into the Himalayas and realizing these mountains are the closest the moon will ever get to holding hands with the Earth.
Kathmandu Valley🇳🇵- “the pahad” - 1400m elevation
How do I even summarize my time in Kathmandu Valley? Landing during the holy month felt like stepping into a different world - Mandirs glowing in the distance, stupas tucked into every corner, bustling streets full of hustlers, and the hills wrapping the valley like an embrace. Kathmandu, you are one of a kind.
crows cawing, sun beaming, family dinners until you’re a human momo, playing cards, taking care of each other and repeat. you don’t notice you’re falling in love with the valley until you’re in the cycle.
Coming back to the same places my parents left in search of “better days,” only to have some of my best - it really feels like a paradox. Maybe that’s what the immigrant story is.
KTM isn’t perfect but it’s somewhere I can genuinely call home.
NEXT WED! @apt200to hosted by @whoisphabo
so happy to put this together. a night of r&b with one of our faves @whoisphabo after his performance at Ari Lennox's Vacancy Tour
w/ sounds by
@savmejias@42mtp@_berma
🎟️ $10 EARLY BIRDS: apt200phabo.eventbrite.com
“you wanna heal, you gotta feel quicker”
A classic Roots song mixed with some Odeal and Leon Thomas, one of my recent faves in the vault.
Now on streaming on soundcloud 🗣️
Where to be on Easter Friday. 📍
A very special episode of Turtles in Colour: Toronto.
We’re back in our favourite city to bring you all feels.
Pull up to @mahjongbar to kick start your long weekend with the turtles and come out your shell for the night.
DJ sets: @_berma@dualehoke@sudaneeyaa & @bkplvg
✨ Nepali New Year Eve Party ✨
Get ready for an electrifying night as Jay Author takes the stage alongside DJ Berma to bring you an unforgettable DJ night experience!
🕙 Time: 10:00 PM – 2:00 AM
🎶 Vibes: High-energy music, non-stop beats, and unforgettable moments
Join us for a night filled with great music, amazing energy, and memories you won’t want to miss. If you’re ready to celebrate the New Year in style, this is the place to be!
🎉 Don’t miss out – let’s make it a night to remember! #nepaleseincanada🇨🇦 #torontoevent #partynight #karmaeventsca #rnbhiphop
Built by the city, for the city. On February 27, we return to @lastcallcocktailclub to celebrate the selectors that shape the sounds of Toronto, and the movement that keeps the city in motion.
With:
Sounds by @_berma@manalaang — and for the first time at RELEASE, @prodbymrii 🎧
+ hosted by cultural, sport, fashion storyteller @sydmrey 🌟
We’re gearing up for a landmark year for the city + global moments, so we’re kicking off with a jersey party to put on for the places and teams we love. Come rep your favourites — or if you’re team Release, hold it down in your Release tees.
We’re glad to be back and can’t wait to see you. Link in bio for tickets 🎟️
