Summary
Despite the heat experienced during the day, Chitwan enjoys a significant drop in temperature at night, which facilitates comfortable and restful sleep.
Upon waking early the next day, we quickly proceeded through breakfast, motivated to fully utilize our limited time in Chitwan. We were particularly keen on experiencing as much as possible before the intensity of the midday sun set in.
We commenced our journey with a leisurely stroll through Amaltaari, the village that served as our base, and continued towards Milan Chok, another nearby village.
As we navigated through this part of Chitwan, one remarkable aspect was the warmth and openness of the local population; an inviting friendliness that may be perceived skeptically in different cultural contexts, particularly in parts of Europe.
Moreover, it was delightful to witness the enthusiasm of the local children who appreciated having their photographs taken, reacting with laughter upon seeing their images. Personally, I tend to feel awkward requesting portraits (a scenario at which Lloyd excels), so it was refreshing to engage easily and organically with the locals, allowing me to enjoy candid photography without hesitation.
I inquired with our guide, Suman, if it was customary to offer the children something, such as loose change (excluding sweets or biscuits that could harm their teeth). To this, he responded that there wasn’t any expectation of reciprocation from us.
Suman elaborated that they do not encourage giving money directly to individuals, as it may lead to dependency or expectations of handouts. If one wishes to contribute charitably, it is advisable to do so via village elders or established organizations like UNESCO, who can more effectively allocate funds to meet community needs.
Following our excursion, we returned to the hotel for respite from the sun, limited our exposure to prolonged heat, and recharged before continuing our adventures.
