Summary
- Introduction to the homestay experience in Tansen, Nepal.
- Highlights of the local welcome and cultural interactions.
- Reflections on the enriching experience and recommendations.
Among the various adventures I anticipated during my time in Nepal, participating in a homestay—which involves residing with a local family—was notably daunting.
Interestingly, my apprehensions lacked justification. The uncertainty stemmed primarily from my unfamiliarity with the experience; having previously embraced the autonomy that came with choosing accommodations and meal preferences, the notion of stepping outside my comfort zone required adjustment.
To provide context, this was my inaugural homestay occurrence. The closest I had come to such an experience was during my university days when we would temporarily stay at friends’ family’s homes, and even then, I tended to secure the guest rooms. My lack of experience in hostels augmented my initial trepidation at staying in someone else’s residence.
However, I soon realized that my worries were unwarranted!
Let me share more about that narration…
Arrival in Tansen
Our day commenced with a brief journey to Palpa, the broader region encompassing Tansen—our designated home for the homestay experience with a local family.
On our way, we made an impromptu stop at a temple, not part of the initial plan, which allowed us to appreciate the surroundings and stretch our legs.
Warm Local Welcome
Upon reaching Tansen, we were greeted with an unexpectedly warm reception. It became apparent that each of us would stay with different families throughout the town, and the local residents were excited about this cultural exchange—indeed, Tansen is not a typical tourist destination, and engagement with international visitors was cherished.
We were adorned with bindis (the colorful dots on our foreheads), flowers, hats for the gentlemen, scarves for the ladies, and participated in joyous dancing.
It is worth noting that Tansen is situated at a significantly higher elevation compared to Lumbini and Chitwan, resulting in a notably cooler climate and the absence of bothersome insects. To clarify, I did not experience many insect bites during my visits to Lumbini or Chitwan either.
Dining and Interactions
After the initial introductions, we had the opportunity to settle into our rooms, with my gracious nature prompting me to allocate the larger bed to my travel companion Lloyd. 🙂
Then, we ascended several levels in the building to partake in lunch prior to venturing out to explore the town.
I must commend the hospitality of our host and his family, as their warmth quickly alleviated any apprehensions I had regarding the homestay experience. Most of our time was spent with our host and his daughter, both certainly among the most delightful and amusing individuals I encountered in Nepal!
During our interactions, our host proudly showed us travel guides like the Lonely Planet that highlighted his commendable contributions, information of which he took evident pride in.
Additionally, much to my surprise, I found the wifi connection here remarkably fast—surpassing even some of our friends’ places back in London!
Lunch consisted of a generous array of food offerings, with hosts continuously replenishing our plates until we politely declined any further servings. They were truly attentive to ensuring we were well fed. Additionally, stocked bottled water was also provided, which addressed any hydration concerns.
A Welcoming Community
The remainder of our evening was spent at the homestay, happily engaged in conversation with our host family while enjoying dinner and more drinks, culminating in an undeniably restful night’s sleep. I attribute this enhanced comfort to the hospitality as well as my tired state after an eventful day! 😄
The following morning, after delighting in a breakfast featuring pancakes, omelets, bananas, and sweet milky tea, we expressed our gratitude and said goodbye to our host family before resuming our journey.
Participating in a homestay in Nepal was not an avenue I envisioned undertaking on my own; however, I can assertively state that I am immensely grateful for this wonderful experience!
This approach facilitated deeper connections with the locals and provided authentic insights into the true essence of Nepal beyond the confines of hotels and conventional tourist sites—a rich and fulfilling exploration, fostering a sense of connection that is often missed in standard itineraries.
I highly advocate for engaging in a homestay, even if merely for a single night, while navigating through this exquisite country.
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Asia | Nepal | Palpa | Tansen
