Gpanda

It is the reporting of your metaphysical baggage that we find so amusing. I'm afraid that this is not so easily put aside. Not only do you manage to find fascinating alleys in your journeys, but your delicate prose casts some brief light into the most shadowy corners. We like to think of you as the Diogenes of Fodors. Looking for an honest Jimmy.

dogster

Oh, I'm not going to disappear Amy. I just wanted you all to know where I was coming from, that's all. Often I surprise MYSELF by what I write. This whole incredible post, covering life, art, ethics and the endless circle of Kathmandu has unblocked the drain. I'm so glad you all gave me the chance to unravel the multiple truths of my latest, oddest experience and gain the benefit of your multiple opinions.

And now that we have reached the mystical number: an amazing 200 - fittingly a slot taken by the great Gpanda - it's time to tell you what happened.

Look! Up on the left! Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No-o-o-o, it's Dogster: The Bihar Blues.

Marija

Yes, I noticed and am saddened that Dogster has ceded center stage in his tales. I miss him...

How can anyone think that the offending post was written by Dogster?! It's pretty clear that the author is someone you bumped into on the road and gave a sanitized version of your life. One adjective in particular gives it away. Vaporize if you wish. No moral dilemma here.

merckxxx

To Laleslie: Pleeease do not compare this narcissus with J.D. Salinger (NOT J.S. Salinger). This Mr. Bombast Narcissus is closer to Jerry Springer or Lady Gaga. Also, little was mysterious about Salinger - he simply did not do interviews which led the media to attach the moniker of a recluse.

Becalm

Whoa...I pop back in after another road trip...and what to my wondrous eyes did appear.....

Hey D - I'll just toss in my two cents here as you have very, very questionably appointed me in the role as an adviser of yours - probably in a altered state of consciousness (not sure if that's yours, mine or both hahaha).

You have every right to pull the plug on any of your reports here without a second thought or explanation and its perfectly OK to be self-serving in this context. You owe us nothing more than that which you wish to voluntarily offer.....and if/when you change your mind, So Be It - Period. When someone throws a right cross at you, you have every right to protect yourself and deflect it rather than take it on the chin.

You deserve to leave your past lives behind and not be typecast if you so choose -not be encumbered by that baggage and start anew. We Fodorites, most of whom claim to be your friend or at least admirers of your literary talent, have no right to deprive you of that out of curiosity, to prove how clever we are or for any other self-serving reason.

As tyro (Bravo! for your excellent post btw) so aptly stated "you have already politely asked once or twice"....for the amateur sleuthing to cease. I, my friend, would have been much more blunt - but you are more of a gentleman apparently than I haha.

If it is any consolation, I personally have no bleeping clue who you once played in this movie we call life. It is all an illusion anyway in my philosophy. Just here to play our roles - learn our lessons - and then move on.

If I have inadvertently stepped on some toes...well.....I make NO apologies. If I were able to make my opinions known confidently to you D I would have done so - but such is not the case.

Enough of this nonsense. Have this thread deleted my silver tongued friend, go play your new role and have yourself another of life's adventures.

Say...any news from the family, Mom, Dad and little Sausage in....Varnasi was it?

dogster

Just to clarify:

I was never thinking of pulling the WHOLE thread - just one post in it, way, way back, that's all. I think the issues covered in this topic are way too interesting to chuck away. Obviously my words weren't precise enough.

Catch up:

Oh, merkxxx, good to see you in here again. You make me laugh. But you do just run in, do a pooh and run away again. That's not very brave. Are you trying to be pithy? Why not engage? Ahhh, I just read through your brief history of topic posts in the Lounge. Now I understand a little bit more.

It would be cruel of me to take you on - it's not my job to point out the obvious. Come in any time you like, slag away - but I would ask that you actually READ what I say first rather than just be pissed off that I simply exist.

becalm, thank you yet again. You never know when Dog will communicate... of course, your considered correspondence will deserve a considered reply. Those replies take a lot of time to write so, while I'm in a transmitting mode, I'm staying focussed on the next story, that's all.

Just trying to stay on top of this thread is complex enough - it HAS covered a lot of ground. The ethical dilemmas have preoccupied me, stopped me writing - now, somehow I've found the key.

I'm waiting for the moment to start the next one, in fact I wrote the first slab today, but I've been thinking it'll be hogging the board if I bring it in while this one is current. I had no idea we'd end up with 200 + posts. It just keeps coming.

Altho', second thoughts, maybe if I begin it, that'll divert us from this one. I've talked enough about myself, ethics and yesterday for now.

As for little Sausage in Varanasi: well, I was headed there in November to follow up. All was booked and planned. When you read the next story you'll learn why I never arrived.

Smeagol

Hog away Dogster..it's all interesting reading.

dogster

O.K. Watch.

LAleslie

As I said above, I'm done teasing. Don't think I was the one who gave anything away anyway. It's true that stories can get undermined somewhat by glimpses of the writer. But you underestimate the power of your words, Sri Dogster.

merckxxx, of course I know it's J.D.; simple typo. Sorry, but frankly, he was much more of a narcissist (a trendy armchair anyalysis thrown around ad nauseum these days) than the Dog. Why not just stop reading him if he annoys you so much? Hmmm?

simpsonc510

dog... my advice... wtach out for the lounge!!!! It can be a dangerous place for posters such as yourself, who speak the truth about your adventures. Be veddy veddy careful in there...
C

dogster

Anybody confused about the disappearing Bihar post should just wait. I deleted it after the cowardly cyber-attack. It will return. Terrorists never win in the long run.

Smeagol

I was just wondering where that was gone....
shame these trolls get in the way of a great story.

Marija

Promises, promises... I'm still holding my breath for:

"Dogster's battle with the Lal Ghat Sub-branch of the Udaipur Mafia has not quite reached its conclusion. On the assumption I live till the morning - which will occur only if I stay indoors till it's time to leave for Delhi tomorrow - I will tell you everything."

Kathie

I'm waiting...

LAleslie

Figured that Dogster. Good for you. Tho I wondered if you'd given him/her some satisfaction by removing it. I'll always wonder if it was some Brit on the Ganges cruise, but I think your theory about the long-time seething lurker is better.

Bokhara2

This looks like fun .. bookmarking for later reading. Thanks Dogster

kimmyejones

Dogster,

I haven’t met you yet but I’m presumptuous enough to say I will this October. I dare you.

TheWho best describes the theatre and during the peak tourist season in Michelle and Pujan’s beautiful oasis, one will find a multi-cultural performance by the worthiest social justice crusaders, ambitious trekkers, dedicated outreach participants, and solo travelers who’ve dreamed of visiting Nepal their whole lives. Disarmed by easy smiles and a perpetual happy hour there’s no choice but to submit to the varied conversations – global politics, social entrepreneurial ideas, trekking adventures/mishaps, etc. The evenings are coordinated by the best host combo ever, Michelle and Pujan! Pujan will make dinner for the hotel family and serve you himself, and let me tell you (along with hundreds of other guests lucky enough), the imported Australian beef tips are enough to convert almost any vegetarian/ Hindu. The pinnacle is the 30+ person dinners at the Thamel House (walking distance from the Hotel and historical hotspot). With 16 courses of authentic Newari cuisine, a stage with traditional dancers, Pujan’s knife slice to the champagne bottle (always a toast!), and curious clay cups, the fun begins again. From 3 ft. in the air, a mysterious liquid is poured into those mini clay cups, and well, it’s described as Ella – the most formidable woman yet of the Hotel Courtyard experience (a locally made alcohol). The first swallow is the most difficult but when the Irish are always (yes, always) challenged to prove their drinking capabilities, the 20th Ella shot is quite nice, sweet actually. Usually dancing by the 30+ guests onstage follows (generally awkward) and sometimes, just sometimes, there’s a dance party back in the movie room back at the hotel . . . the lovely Christy (and Akon music) can be credited for these amazing times! I wouldn’t suggest your Everest flight the morning after.

Did you know there’s a daily Monkey Temple walk led by Pujan followed by a cook-to-order breakfast? Yummy - Indian omelets, banana pancakes, sausage/bacon sides, French toast. Bring it on, Hyatt! I ask “where are your mosaics” made by women that have been sex-trafficked and then rescued/empowered by possibly the best NGO in Nepal, the Esther Benjamin Memorial Foundation? Where is your clientele that does monumental work across the globe but wears t-shirts and has a smile/conversation for everyone? Nothing the Hyatt has can parallel the friendships, collaboration efforts, and experiences that the beautiful hostess, Michelle has dedicated herself to providing for her guests aka friends.

Dogster, I think an October trip needs calendared. Within my stay I have met and stayed in touch with some very amazing people from ALL over the world and accomplishing great things. I’d vote a good portion of guests are coming to Nepal for a specific experience and when there is an armada of these intelligent, accomplished, and varied personality-type characters, the quest is fulfilled and Michelle’s home becomes a birthing spot for life-long friendships. I eagerly await the first couple that meets there and becomes life-long partners!

Btw – did you hear about some of the guests that have stayed there recently - the world champion Siberian swimmer, the 72 year-old NGO leader who climbed to EBC, the crazy that trekked to Kala Pattar in a dress, the exec responsible for over 70 schools built in Nepal, the Hawaiian creating/implementing low-cost LED village lighting? And you’d never know unless you asked them directly what they do/did (you will find them challenging the Irish with Ella shots at Thamel House – guaranteed!). . . this is why I love the people and the experiences at the Hotel Courtyard, beyond ALL of the décor, ambiance, library, yoga studio, tuna sammies, there are amazing people to meet. I dunno, but connectivity in this fragmenting world is pretty encouraging. Thanks Michelle, Pujan, and well, racist Tibby! Please Dogster, you at least have to be a Tibby fan!!!

XOXOX, see ya in Nepal in October. . if you're lucky!

dogster

lol lol lol.

Yes, I know all that. I was there. It's precisely because of the other 113 enthusiastic reviews like yours in Tripadvisor, I went. Did you somehow read in my words that I didn't like it? Knowing that my every sentence would be examined minutely by the owners, the other guests, Uncle Tom Cobbley and all, then subjected to attack, parody or derision, I decided to leave the gush to others. Just like you. I've been hoping that someone would come in and say just what you have. With luck, more will follow.

There'd be no point in Dog coming in to Fodor's and repeating these comments ad nauseum:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...u.html#REVIEWS

My words: '...The multiple characters of the hotel were so gripping I had to force my own way out the door. I was living in an endless Andy Warhol movie with no plot, set nowhere, achieving nothing; engrossed in the Big Brother house with a rotating cast of Fabulous Nobodies – including, most definitely, me...'

For confused onlookers, Tibby is the hotel dog.

Since you mentioned it - this small, fluffy, killer Mongrel from Hell has been trained to attack anything Nepalese. The poor thing is mentally disturbed, having been tortured by multiple mosaic-making N.G.O's. It nearly ate Romy, the Tuk-tuk Goose, turning into a snarling, salivating, crazed banshee time-bomb, intent on his blood. It leaps at the throat of any passing Nepali like a shrunken Hound of The Baskervilles, only pacified by a kick to the head. I thought it should be put down - better still, sacrificed, barbequed and eaten instead of the 'imported Australian beef...'

lol lol lol.

'...The pinnacle is the 30+ person dinners at the Thamel House...'

The pinnacle of the pinnacle are the other 30+ guests, NOT, most definately the food or the venue. Thamel House is a tourist trap, hurtling course after course of inedible muck at a table full of great companions so completely pooh-faced after their millionth clay cup of petrol - sorry 'Ella' - that the poor sods wouldn't know if they were eating rat's claws, dog's vomit or 'authentic Newari cuisine'.

lol lol lol. Since you mentioned it.

I didn't write about Michelle - because I knew she'd be reading. Heh. I didn't write about Pujan, because he wasn't there. I didn't write about his morning rambles to the Monkey Temple, 'cos, even if he had been there, I would've been hibernating under the squash-me-flat doonas in room 401. I didn't write about it in peak season, because I was there in the depths of winter. I didn't write about how bloody, bloody, bloody cold it was, because mine hostess upgraded me to a really warm suite - otherwise, little bits of Dog would have fallen off from frostbite. But I did write about 'the crazy that trekked to Kala Pattar in a dress': forty-two of them, I believe.

You should write the copy for their website. You have a good turn of phrase. You are absolutely right about the fellow guests. As I said, 'flawed, but fabulous'. Me included.

'...I eagerly await the first couple that meets there and becomes life-long partners!...'

Kimmy, honey - I think that might well be you and me...

Thank you for your post. Big smooch from your husband-to-be.

kimmyejones

Today it's simple: I like you. Yay!

1. I'm "the crazy in the dress" and there's only 1 of me (I know, sad sad . . I should be cloned - jk!)
2. Ella = petrol, you are A-on-spot with that! Ahhh, but by the 20th, it really does have a sweet taste. . . and the trick at the Thamel House is to pretend to be a vegetarian - the food is MUCH better
3. See ya in Nepal! XO

kimmyejones

I forgot one thing: My arch nemesis in life is p-o-o-p. Yes, I know, odd but still true. Unfortunately in Nepal, there is p-o-o-p (I spell it instead of saying it) everywhere!!! Yaks, Monkeys, dogs, people, insects, whatever. . it's just all over. Hmm, I signed back on just to write this. O boy. I quit!