One Hand Speaks

This year I took the time to visit the birthplace of Buddha in Lumbini, Nepal. It is a short 35 minute plane flight and an important pilgrimage site. Though the trip was just an overnight visit, I had a very special time in Lumbini, Nepal.

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Show Notes:

My last few days before I leave for my 3rd visit to Nepal.

Feeling very organized and prepared

Traveling with simplicity as I have a new suitcase and "personal sized" travel backpack. 

Resources:

Swayambhunath Stupa – A bit of info about the famous "Monkey Temple" in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Visit Nepal 2020 – The campaign to visit in 2020.

Boudhanath Stupa – A truly exceptional experience and a must see in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal – Some wiki info about this most popular and tourist area in Kathmandu, Nepal. 

Bodhi Guesthouse - My home away from home in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Lumbini, Nepal - The birthplace of Buddha.

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How to review the podcast on iTunes

If you enjoyed, benefited or were impacted by the podcast, it would be beyond cool if you’d take a minute and write a review on iTunes. To do that, click on the iTunes link or launch the iTunes podcast app on your computer or phone. Search for One Hand Speaks, select the album art for the show, select ratings and reviews and then write your review. Big thanks and appreciation. Please spread and share if you feel others will benefit and enjoy and leave a comment or offer feedback.

Play Your Hand!

I have been doing a weekly podcast for the past six years. Today's podcast celebrates my 6 year anniversary with a thank you to all my listeners and supporters. Let listen to what the start of year 7 brings!

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Show Notes:

6 years and 315 podcasts deep.

Resources:

Podcast #264 - 5 Year Anniversary Podcast.

Podcast #210 - 4 Year Anniversary Podcast.

Podcast #158 - 3 Year Anniversary Podcast.

Podcast #108 - 2 Year Anniversary Podcast.

Podcast #055 - 1 Year Anniversary Podcast.

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How to review the podcast on iTunes

If you enjoyed, benefited or were impacted by the podcast, it would be beyond cool if you’d take a minute and write a review on iTunes. To do that, click on the iTunes link or launch the iTunes podcast app on your computer or phone. Search for One Hand Speaks, select the album art for the show, select ratings and reviews and then write your review. Big thanks and appreciation. Please spread and share if you feel others will benefit and enjoy and leave a comment or offer feedback.

Play your hand!!

There are times indeed when traveling to remote Buddhist locations in small villages that Western conveniences fail to exist. Or at least in the way we want them to. These are the simple things like coffee, a soft bed, heat, and a hot shower. This year I traveled to the small village of Halesi, Nepal to visit the caves of Maratika. I went five days with no shower. Well, I was able to take a shower. Or at least get close to something I can call a "shower." This was a shower in a bag. Pilgrimage should not be easy. Not having a shower was only one part of this 5 day trip. It was certainly an experience worth podcasting.

Thanks for listening! I invite you to share this podcast, offer a comment or leave some feedback.

Show Notes:

Halesi, Nepal and the Maratika Caves of Padmasambhava.

No hot water and in some cases no running water for 5 days.

Makeup wipes as my only way to clean my body. 

Resources:

Swayambhunath Stupa – A bit of info about the famous "Monkey Temple" in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Visit Nepal 2020 – The campaign to visit in 2020.

Boudhanath Stupa – A truly exceptional experience and a must see in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal – Some wiki info about this most popular and tourist area in Kathmandu, Nepal. 

Bodhi Guesthouse - My home away from home in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Halesi, Nepal - The location of the Maratika Caves of Padmasambhava.

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How to review the podcast on iTunes

If you enjoyed, benefited or were impacted by the podcast, it would be beyond cool if you’d take a minute and write a review on iTunes. To do that, click on the iTunes link or launch the iTunes podcast app on your computer or phone. Search for One Hand Speaks, select the album art for the show, select ratings and reviews and then write your review. Big thanks and appreciation. Please spread and share if you feel others will benefit and enjoy and leave a comment or offer feedback.

Play Your Hand!

A sitting toilet is not very common in the general public space of Nepal. And certainly not outside the city of Kathmandu. This means there is a lot of squatting and pooping in Nepal. Additionally, there is a cultural non-use of toilet paper. Also, public bathrooms tend to be pretty gritty overall and the desire to put one's bag or backpack on the floor does not exist. Therefore, it takes a bit of work drop the pants, squat, and poop. Did I mention that soap is not a commonly found liquid in Nepal's (hard to find) public bathrooms. Add the one handed thing to this process and we have a podcast worth sharing. 

Thanks for listening! I invite you to share this podcast, offer a comment or leave some feedback.

Show Notes:

Squatting and pooping is the main theme in Nepal.

Most public bathrooms are very gritty and unsanitary.

There is no desire to put one's bag or backpack on the floor in most bathrooms.

Toilet paper and soap are not common (if at al all found) in Nepals public bathrooms.

Having one hand adds to the layer's of careful process and movement while pooping in Nepal.

Resources:

Swayambhunath Stupa – A bit of info about the famous "Monkey Temple" in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Visit Nepal 2020 – The campaign to visit in 2020.

Boudhanath Stupa – A truly exceptional experience and a must see in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal – Some wiki info about this most popular and tourist area in Kathmandu, Nepal. 

Bodhi Guesthouse - My home away from home in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Contact. Follow. Share.

instagram | facebook | twitter | pinterest

How to review the podcast on iTunes

If you enjoyed, benefited or were impacted by the podcast, it would be beyond cool if you’d take a minute and write a review on iTunes. To do that, click on the iTunes link or launch the iTunes podcast app on your computer or phone. Search for One Hand Speaks, select the album art for the show, select ratings and reviews and then write your review. Big thanks and appreciation. Please spread and share if you feel others will benefit and enjoy and leave a comment or offer feedback.

Play Your Hand!

An interesting thing has started to unfold in Kathmandu, Nepal. I had a similar experience in Tibet. However, I am starting to use this "trick" more and more in Nepal. This most recent visit had this gestured interaction truly take hold for me. I call it the "Beggar's Pass." It is a one handed thing and worthy of a podcast.

Thanks for listening! I invite you to share this podcast, offer a comment or leave some feedback.

Show Notes:

So much of this gestured interaction is the result of the cultural perception of one handedness in Nepal.

This has released me out of the attention of many a beggar while walking around Kathmandu.

It's "The Beggar's Pass." 

Resources:

Swayambhunath Stupa – A bit of info about the famous "Monkey Temple" in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Visit Nepal 2020 – The campaign to visit in 2020.

Boudhanath Stupa – A truly exceptional experience and a must see in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal – Some wiki info about this most popular and tourist area in Kathmandu, Nepal. 

Bodhi Guesthouse - My home away from home in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Lumbini, Nepal - The Birthplace of Buddha.

Contact. Follow. Share.

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How to review the podcast on iTunes

If you enjoyed, benefited or were impacted by the podcast, it would be beyond cool if you’d take a minute and write a review on iTunes. To do that, click on the iTunes link or launch the iTunes podcast app on your computer or phone. Search for One Hand Speaks, select the album art for the show, select ratings and reviews and then write your review. Big thanks and appreciation. Please spread and share if you feel others will benefit and enjoy and leave a comment or offer feedback.

Play Your Hand!

This will be my third pilgrimage visit to Kathmandu, Nepal. Each time I go I have very unique one handed experiences based on the Nepali cultural perception of not having two hands. Most of the time it is not a big deal. But sometimes it kinda is a big deal. Either way it is good practice in not clinging to what other people think. And it makes for some pretty un and enjoyable experiences. (Here are five short one handed stories from Kathmandu, Nepal. (And maybe a bonus 6th super story.)

Thanks for listening! I invite you to share this podcast, offer a comment or leave some feedback.

Show Notes:

Five unique one handed experiences.

Sometimes the cultural subtleties of Nepal come out in funny ways.

Never a dull moment having one hand in Nepal. 

Resources:

Swayambhunath Stupa – A bit of info about the famous "Monkey Temple" in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Visit Nepal 2020 – The campaign to visit in 2020.

Boudhanath Stupa – A truly exceptional experience and a must see in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal – Some wiki info about this most popular and tourist area in Kathmandu, Nepal. 

Bodhi Guesthouse - My home away from home in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Contact. Follow. Share.

instagram | facebook | twitter | pinterest

How to review the podcast on iTunes

If you enjoyed, benefited or were impacted by the podcast, it would be beyond cool if you’d take a minute and write a review on iTunes. To do that, click on the iTunes link or launch the iTunes podcast app on your computer or phone. Search for One Hand Speaks, select the album art for the show, select ratings and reviews and then write your review. Big thanks and appreciation. Please spread and share if you feel others will benefit and enjoy and leave a comment or offer feedback.

Play Your Hand!

In transition and floating from airport to airport with many layovers going from Boise, Idaho USA to Kathmandu, Nepal. Way back in the early 90s during my "Seattle Days" I earned the nickname of King Floater. I was sleeping on people's couches and working full time waiting to leaving Seattle for Boise. I cannot say I was homeless but I was certainly in vagabond mode. The nickname came about when a person I did not know well put me up for about 3 weeks. When he heard what I was doing and how I was doing it he said, "Wow, you are the king of floating around." This podcast is about me back in King Floater mode floating to Kathmandu, Nepal.

Thanks for listening! I invite you to share this podcast, offer a comment or leave some feedback.

Show Notes:

My time at Hamad international airport on my way to Nepal.

A current update as to how I feel and what is going on in my present moment

Just a bit about my transitions from airport to layover to airplane time to airport to layover to airplane time. 

Resources:

Swayambhunath Stupa – A bit of info about the famous "Monkey Temple" in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Visit Nepal 2020 – The campaign to visit in 2020.

Boudhanath Stupa – A truly exceptional experience and a must see in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal – Some wiki info about this most popular and tourist area in Kathmandu, Nepal. 

Bodhi Guesthouse - My home away from home in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Hamad International Airport - Located in Doha, Qatar and listed as the Greatest Airport in the World in 2022.

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How to review the podcast on iTunes

If you enjoyed, benefited or were impacted by the podcast, it would be beyond cool if you’d take a minute and write a review on iTunes. To do that, click on the iTunes link or launch the iTunes podcast app on your computer or phone. Search for One Hand Speaks, select the album art for the show, select ratings and reviews and then write your review. Big thanks and appreciation. Please spread and share if you feel others will benefit and enjoy and leave a comment or offer feedback.

Play Your Hand!

On Wednesday, March 15th I will be leaving for my third visit to Kathmandu, Nepal. This is my countdown to Kathmandu. If you been following the podcast you know I am posting all my podcasts in advance. Therefore, I am not sure when you are listening to this or in what order. But this is my last podcast before I board my flights to Nepal.

Thanks for listening! I invite you to share this podcast, offer a comment or leave some feedback.

Show Notes:

My last few days before I leave for my 3rd visit to Nepal.

Feeling very organized and prepared

Traveling with simplicity as I have a new suitcase and "personal sized" travel backpack. 

Resources:

Swayambhunath Stupa – A bit of info about the famous "Monkey Temple" in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Visit Nepal 2020 – The campaign to visit in 2020.

Boudhanath Stupa – A truly exceptional experience and a must see in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal – Some wiki info about this most popular and tourist area in Kathmandu, Nepal. 

Bodhi Guesthouse - My home away from home in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Contact. Follow. Share.

instagram | facebook | twitter | pinterest

How to review the podcast on iTunes

If you enjoyed, benefited or were impacted by the podcast, it would be beyond cool if you’d take a minute and write a review on iTunes. To do that, click on the iTunes link or launch the iTunes podcast app on your computer or phone. Search for One Hand Speaks, select the album art for the show, select ratings and reviews and then write your review. Big thanks and appreciation. Please spread and share if you feel others will benefit and enjoy and leave a comment or offer feedback.

Play Your Hand!

This is just about my hunt for what I call "the perfect travel bag." I am mostly referring to urban laptop/book bags or a travel backpack. I have bought quite a few over the years and have tried many brands, sizes, and configurations. Despite all of that, I am still looking for the perfect bag.

Thanks for listening! I invite you to share this podcast, offer a comment or leave some feedback.

Show Notes:

The eternal hunt for the perfect travel backpack.

What does it mean to find "the perfect bag."

Better to deeply realize what can live without in a backpack.

I love Osprey bags. But for Nepal 2023 I will be trying PacSafe.

Resources:

PacSafe – The #1 anti-theft traveling backpack and travel gear on the planet.

Osprey – The backpack company I mostly use and the closest to "the perfect bag" as I can find.

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How to review the podcast on iTunes

If you enjoyed, benefited or were impacted by the podcast, it would be beyond cool if you’d take a minute and write a review on iTunes. To do that, click on the iTunes link or launch the iTunes podcast app on your computer or phone. Search for One Hand Speaks, select the album art for the show, select ratings and reviews and then write your review. Big thanks and appreciation. Please spread and share if you feel others will benefit and enjoy and leave a comment or offer feedback.

Play Your Hand!

I was recently speaking with a friend of mine and we got on the topic of doing taxes since we both run businesses. I mentioned to him in the past I did not do my taxes for 5 years. Then I told him how I eventually ended up working with H&R Block. My friend was laughing so hard as I was telling him about the moment I stopped running from my taxes. My friend finally said in between breathing and laughing that this H&R Block account was really the "Tax Whisperer." Then we both laugher very deeply and loudly.

Thanks for listening! I invite you to share this podcast, offer a comment or leave some feedback.

Show Notes:

I did not file taxes for 5 years.

Fear of the unknown

This guy saved my (tax) life.

A fresh outlook!

Resources:

H&R Block – The website of my Tax Whisperer and other Tax Angels. A tax preparation company. 

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How to review the podcast on iTunes

If you enjoyed, benefited or were impacted by the podcast, it would be beyond cool if you’d take a minute and write a review on iTunes. To do that, click on the iTunes link or launch the iTunes podcast app on your computer or phone. Search for One Hand Speaks, select the album art for the show, select ratings and reviews and then write your review. Big thanks and appreciation. Please spread and share if you feel others will benefit and enjoy and leave a comment or offer feedback.

Play Your Hand!