Tag: happiness Page 1 of 2

Manuel: “Happines is doing what you want in the moment you feel like it”

OR2K is a well-known Asian vegetarian restaurant offered by the backpacker suburb of Thamel, in Kathmandu. It is located in the pedestrian Mandala Street and its atmosphere is as relaxed as colourful. That information would not be important if it wasn’t for the gastronomic scene I shared with Manuel and Sudeep, kind- hearted people that embrace the great Himalayan kingdom by their courageous support to his population.

Manuel's American Shot. Conversation in Thamel, Nepal. Source: www.ritapouso.com

Manuel’s American Shot. Conversation in Thamel, Nepal. Source: www.ritapouso.com

Rama: “My happiness is that my son has a great time in Australia”

Despite being in July, Namo Buddha’s trekking to Nagarkot is a sun-filled day. Sunbeams go through the nepali sky. They enlighten the nature that migrates from the pollution of Kathmandu and tan the skins of the wanderers of such spiritual landscapes. In Opi, the business of Rama Thama feeds the forces of the most dedicated hikers and the lungs of the smokers, also devoted to their cause.

Rama Thapa's American Shot. Conversation in Opi, Nepal. Source: www.ritapouso.com

Rama Thapa’s American Shot. Conversation in Opi, Nepal. Source: www.ritapouso.com

Sanumaya: “I am happy because I have been able to establish my tea shop”

Chap Bhanjyang, in Kathmandu Valley, is the way to cross Namo Buddha and Dhulikhel. Buses come and go eventually. That’s why it is recommended to all the pedestrians who are willing to arrive to their next destination, to be punctual in their attendance (as well as patient). If not, the former would have to provide himself with a minimum of two hours and a half trekking in order to reach Dhulikhel.

Sanumaya's American Shot. Conversation in Chap Bhanjyang, Nepal. Source: www.ritapouso.com

Sanumaya’s American Shot. Conversation in Chap Bhanjyang, Nepal. Source: www.ritapouso.com

Carolina: “I have everything I need: a smile and a willingness to live”

The italian girls Carolina and Chiara sit on the stone bench that is visible all along Avenida de Beiramar. They face each other and share a bottle of white wine while they eat something. Both are on their bare feet. Their peace of mind leads to a relaxed atmosphere in front of the Galician harbour of Vigo.

Carolina's American Shot. Conversation in Vigo, Spain. Source: www.ritapouso.com

Carolina’s American Shot. Conversation in Vigo, Spain. Source: www.ritapouso.com

Silke: “For me happiness is freedom and to be at peace with myself”

The Laternenfest of Bad Homburg becomes more of a village party at the moment in which local residents share night, beer and music. The soul of the town is reflected in The Lantern Festival as in every step of the way, neighbours greet each other and remember good old days. At the point of having heard and sort of danced a live concert of basic oldies, Silke feels ready to do her American Shot. She has been a witness of the prior interview done in the night, Josch’s, and feels comfortable with living the experience. Beer allows words flow and directs them the way from the heart to the outside.

Silke's American Shot. Conversation in Bad Homburg, Germany. Source: www.ritapouso.com

Silke’s American Shot. Conversation in Bad Homburg, Germany. Source: www.ritapouso.com

Nasiba: “When I finish the Suzana I feel very happy”

In the middle of June, Bukhara embraces one of the most ancient arts which still survives in the Uzbek tradition: the Suzani. The name Suzani comes from the Persian word “Suzan” which means “needle”. The Suzani tradition was born in Central Asia in the XIV century. Suzani reaches its climax during the Silk Route, the commercial and cultural route between Europe, Turkey, China and the muslim world as well as the destiny of merchants, caravaneers and travellers.

Plano Americano de Nasiba. Conversación en Bujará, Uzbekistán. Fuente: www.ritapouso.com

Nasiba’s American Shot. Conversation in Bukhara, Uzbekistan. Source: www.ritapouso.com

Clara: “For me happiness is a synonym of love”

Registan is the heart of Samarkand. The square was the muscle pump of the Silk Road as well as the meeting point of scholars, scientists and merchants. Overwhelmed by my imagination which is driving me to the ancient commercial route in Central Asia, the noise of the refurbishment of the architectural heritage awakens my sixth sense. I was about to meet up a dishevelled and attractive Marco Polo.

Clara's American Shot. Conversation in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Source: www.ritapouso.com

Clara’s American Shot. Conversation in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Source: www.ritapouso.com

Josch: “For me happiness is everything I have: my wife and my son”

The village of Bad Homburg prepares itself during all the summer for celebrating the Laternenfest, translated as The Lantern Festival. From the 28th to the 31st of August, groups of music, food stalls, beer, coloured lighting, fairground rides and parade of carriages of different topics gather all the neighbourhood of Bad Homburg. During my stay in the town, I was lucky I could take part in this 80-year anniversary of the festival. Many festivalgoers witness this event year after year. One of them is Joachim, a man whose celebration mode is always on and whose sentences are always completed with a derisive laughter.

Josch's American Shot. Conversation in Bad Homburg, Germany. Source: www.ritapouso.com

Josch’s American Shot. Conversation in Bad Homburg, Germany. Source: www.ritapouso.com

Anora: “For me happiness is health”

Anora was facing the Wishing Tree from Bahovaddin Nakshbandi’s mausoleum. According to legend, the Saint Nakshbandi arrived from the Mecca with a half metre stone and a stick. The stick would have grown up as a mulberry tree. Nowadays, in the Sufi sanctuary you can find a mulberry trunk of 700 years old as a symbol of the legend. The pilgrims and the Uzbek people that visit the mausoleum make three laps around the tree trunk while they make a wish and try to pull off a splinter from the trunk.

Anora's American Shot. Conversation in Bukhara, Uzbekistan. Source: www.ritapouso.com

Anora’s American Shot. Conversation in Bukhara, Uzbekistan. Source: www.ritapouso.com

Svetlana: “For me happiness is the state of heart in which I am”

“Nice lipstick”. Those are the first words she pronounced when we started talking. Svetlana is 29 years old. She is originally from Uzbekistan. She was born in a small city near Tashkent.

Svetlana's American Shot. Conversation in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Source: www.ritapouso.com

Svetlana’s American Shot. Conversation in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Source: www.ritapouso.com

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