For those who have recently struck rich by cashing on soaring land prices, there seems to be a nationwide obsession with Corinthian columns carved out of cement, or tympanums moulded from concrete. Ferrocement frames have replaced traditional wooden homes built on stilts, houses made of stone and slate, or mud and brick.
We are so conditioned to seeing the ugly as we drive by that we have no time to notice what is still beautiful. This row of houses on the ride from Tansen to Tamghas may soon be replaced by seven storey blocks with triangular turrets. But maybe not.
This was a manifestation of the traditional Nepali flair for the simple, harmonious and tasteful. The people who live here, mostly elderly parents of migrant workers or Gurkha veterans, have a common sense appreciation of what is good and wholesome about living in Nepal.
Although it was a long way to Argakhanchi, we stopped and lingered here and let the sense of home seep in.
