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A Beard in Nepal #1
A Beard in Nepal
When the author and her partner were offered the chance of spending five months teaching English in a remote village high in the Himalayas of Nepal, they didn't hesitate, and grabbed the opportunity to do something completely different.
This book is the story of the time they spent living in the small isolated village of Salle, which is almost completely untouched by western civilisation, and in noisy, dusty, manic Kathmandu.
A compulsive read, often humorous, we follow the couple from Liverpool as they struggle with the daily challenges of altitude sickness, severely restricted diet, and close encounters with wild tigers. The book describes their often comic attempts to teach English to a group of lively youngsters in a wooden hut, using blackboard and chalk, and without the benefit of electricity, water or toilet.
They came to love the village people and the children, who did everything they could to make their stay in Nepal a happy one.
Whether or not you've ever dreamed of trekking through the magnificent isolation of the Himalayas, or of spending time living in a small village there, you'll find this book compulsive reading.
'A Beard In Nepal II' (Return to the Village) is now published and is available on Amazon.
"....incredibly well written...."
"....a joy to read...."
"....an adventure tale filled with colorful characters...."
"....laugh out loud humor...."
"....I would highly recommend this...."
"....A fascinating insight into the rewards and pitfalls of doing something really significant, worthwhile and life changing...."
"....beautifully written, both humorous and poignant...."
"....would highly recommend to armchair travellers...."
"....a heady mixture of travel narrative, humanity and comic escapades...."
"....cannot be recommended highly enough...."
"....Reading Fiona Roberts' book is a humbling as well as a joyful experience...."
"....I selfishly felt I wanted Fiona and Tod to return to Salle, just so that hopefully she will write another entertaining and gripping account for me to read...."
'A BEARD IN NEPAL 2. RETURN TO THE VILLAGE' is now available.
See also:
'GHOST OF A SMILE' and 'VOICES' by Fiona Roberts
This book is the story of the time they spent living in the small isolated village of Salle, which is almost completely untouched by western civilisation, and in noisy, dusty, manic Kathmandu.
A compulsive read, often humorous, we follow the couple from Liverpool as they struggle with the daily challenges of altitude sickness, severely restricted diet, and close encounters with wild tigers. The book describes their often comic attempts to teach English to a group of lively youngsters in a wooden hut, using blackboard and chalk, and without the benefit of electricity, water or toilet.
They came to love the village people and the children, who did everything they could to make their stay in Nepal a happy one.
Whether or not you've ever dreamed of trekking through the magnificent isolation of the Himalayas, or of spending time living in a small village there, you'll find this book compulsive reading.
'A Beard In Nepal II' (Return to the Village) is now published and is available on Amazon.
"....incredibly well written...."
"....a joy to read...."
"....an adventure tale filled with colorful characters...."
"....laugh out loud humor...."
"....I would highly recommend this...."
"....A fascinating insight into the rewards and pitfalls of doing something really significant, worthwhile and life changing...."
"....beautifully written, both humorous and poignant...."
"....would highly recommend to armchair travellers...."
"....a heady mixture of travel narrative, humanity and comic escapades...."
"....cannot be recommended highly enough...."
"....Reading Fiona Roberts' book is a humbling as well as a joyful experience...."
"....I selfishly felt I wanted Fiona and Tod to return to Salle, just so that hopefully she will write another entertaining and gripping account for me to read...."
'A BEARD IN NEPAL 2. RETURN TO THE VILLAGE' is now available.
See also:
'GHOST OF A SMILE' and 'VOICES' by Fiona Roberts
- GenresTravel
Unknown Binding
First published May 29, 2011
2 people are currently reading
392 people want to read
About the author
Fiona Roberts
13 books26 followersI come from a family of clairvoyants and sailors, so I suppose it's no surprise that I have travelled quite a bit, nor that I now work as a Medium/psychic.
I lived 10 years in Paris early on, teaching English - enjoyed every moment of it! I began writing then.
I ran an agency promoting the work of mediums, psychics and clairvoyants when I got back to England.
In 2009 Tod (my lovely husband) and I spent 5 months in a remote village in the Himalayas of Nepal teaching English. That was an eye opening life changer!
We have been back twice, and plan to go again soon.
Tod and I have allotments and grow fruit and vegetables, and we have a flock of ex battery chickens, and a fantastic rescue dog called Buzz.
Oh, and I spend quite a lot of time writing!
I lived 10 years in Paris early on, teaching English - enjoyed every moment of it! I began writing then.
I ran an agency promoting the work of mediums, psychics and clairvoyants when I got back to England.
In 2009 Tod (my lovely husband) and I spent 5 months in a remote village in the Himalayas of Nepal teaching English. That was an eye opening life changer!
We have been back twice, and plan to go again soon.
Tod and I have allotments and grow fruit and vegetables, and we have a flock of ex battery chickens, and a fantastic rescue dog called Buzz.
Oh, and I spend quite a lot of time writing!
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 14, 2017
I've been to Nepal many times. I love the country and I love reading other people's accounts of their experiences there. This one started off OK, with its humorous account of the author's trek in the Annapurna region. But it quickly got tiresome. The way she described people's reactions to her husband's beard, I found a little hard to believe. What, not a single Nepali who saw her husband had ever seen a Sadhu, or holy man? Whose beards are certainly wilder and bushier than her husband's. And all of them were so familiar with Western folk tales, they instantly referred to him as Ali Baba?
There was lots to be annoyed about with this book, but the thing that bugged me most was the author not once referring to her Tibetan guide by his name, only by its English translation. It's Tsering, by the way. That's how Long Life translates into Tibetan. Oh, and you're going to write that you spoke to lots of Tibetans and what they had to say you found very surprising, tell the reader what they fricking said!
Oh, and tigers in the Everest region? Give.Me.A.Break
A very superficial book in so many ways. I won't be bothering with the sequels
There was lots to be annoyed about with this book, but the thing that bugged me most was the author not once referring to her Tibetan guide by his name, only by its English translation. It's Tsering, by the way. That's how Long Life translates into Tibetan. Oh, and you're going to write that you spoke to lots of Tibetans and what they had to say you found very surprising, tell the reader what they fricking said!
Oh, and tigers in the Everest region? Give.Me.A.Break
A very superficial book in so many ways. I won't be bothering with the sequels
February 13, 2016
I was expecting a book about Volunteering in Nepal. As Fiona was a volunteer English teacher over there. I was waiting her stories with the kids, people generally and the impact this trip had on both her and them.
I missed the "sense of purpose" in Fiona's volunteering trip. Usually Muslims volunteer with deep purpose. But Fiona's trip sounded as just a kind of adventure without being related to real deep purpose for the world.
This book is good to know everything bad about Nepal. Fiona kept talking about every bad thing for 11 chapters, she didn't mention the kids in deep way before chapter 12. I was frustrated because of this.
She mentioned what's bad about their diet, attitude, treating dogs, corrupted system, buses, music and loud voices, the road...and a lot of complains. She didn't start to tell the good side a little but in the last few chapters which weren't as deep as I thought as well.
In the end, It is good to know how she saw this trip. May be, It is also good to be aware of the hardships of travelling to Nepal.
Yet, I am not planning by any way to read more books for Fiona. I don't even know what to do with the hardcopy I have, As it would be hard to reread that book later anyways.
I missed the "sense of purpose" in Fiona's volunteering trip. Usually Muslims volunteer with deep purpose. But Fiona's trip sounded as just a kind of adventure without being related to real deep purpose for the world.
This book is good to know everything bad about Nepal. Fiona kept talking about every bad thing for 11 chapters, she didn't mention the kids in deep way before chapter 12. I was frustrated because of this.
She mentioned what's bad about their diet, attitude, treating dogs, corrupted system, buses, music and loud voices, the road...and a lot of complains. She didn't start to tell the good side a little but in the last few chapters which weren't as deep as I thought as well.
In the end, It is good to know how she saw this trip. May be, It is also good to be aware of the hardships of travelling to Nepal.
Yet, I am not planning by any way to read more books for Fiona. I don't even know what to do with the hardcopy I have, As it would be hard to reread that book later anyways.
November 6, 2013
This book reminded me when I went to places like sri lanka,kenya,when we visited schools handing out simple things like pens.will read second book.
March 24, 2024
Fantastisch verslag van het leven in een klein berg dorpje in Nepal. Er zit geen echte verhaallijn in, het is een verzameling gebeurtenissen van alle dingen die ze meemaken op school, in het dorp, of tijdens hun reizen.
De auteur schrijft met veel humor en het leest vlot weg. Ik ben benieuwd naar het tweede deel, wanneer ze terugkeren naar dit dorp en de school. Ga het zeker lezen!
De auteur schrijft met veel humor en het leest vlot weg. Ik ben benieuwd naar het tweede deel, wanneer ze terugkeren naar dit dorp en de school. Ga het zeker lezen!
April 18, 2012
"When the author and her partner were offered the chance of spending five months teaching English in a remote village high in the Himalayas of Nepal, they didn't hesitate, and grabbed the opportunity to do something completely different.
This book is the story of the time they spent living in the small isolated village of Salle, which is almost completely untouched by western civilisation, and in noisy, dusty, manic Kathmandu.
A compulsive read, often humorous, we follow the couple from Liverpool as they struggle with the daily challenges of altitude sickness, severely restricted diet, and close encounters with wild tigers. The book describes their often comic attempts to teach English to a group of lively youngsters in a wooden hut, using blackboard and chalk, and without the benefit of electricity, water or toilet.
They came to love the village people and the children, who did everything they could to make their stay in Nepal a happy one.
Whether or not you've ever dreamed of trekking through the magnificent isolation of the Himalayas, or of spending time living in a small village there, you'll find this book compulsive reading."
This is a great read. You feel as though you are there, every step of the way.
This book is the story of the time they spent living in the small isolated village of Salle, which is almost completely untouched by western civilisation, and in noisy, dusty, manic Kathmandu.
A compulsive read, often humorous, we follow the couple from Liverpool as they struggle with the daily challenges of altitude sickness, severely restricted diet, and close encounters with wild tigers. The book describes their often comic attempts to teach English to a group of lively youngsters in a wooden hut, using blackboard and chalk, and without the benefit of electricity, water or toilet.
They came to love the village people and the children, who did everything they could to make their stay in Nepal a happy one.
Whether or not you've ever dreamed of trekking through the magnificent isolation of the Himalayas, or of spending time living in a small village there, you'll find this book compulsive reading."
This is a great read. You feel as though you are there, every step of the way.
October 11, 2013
I have just finished 'A Beard in Nepal' and have to say I could not put it down, Fiona Roberts' style of writing is both funny and sensitive - whilst her humour had me just laughing out loud on every page. And yet most of the time she is just laughing at herself! The content was so fascinating - the problems faced by high altitude, the dangerous adventures with simple activities such as a walk along a path or a bus trip in the mountains sounding like some new extreme-sport, and her relationships with brown shiny cockroaches, flying insects, leeches (eeuuw!) and other unwanted visitors - including the elusive tiger, never seen but ever present. I loved the book and really hope that there will be another book, I would love to hear more about the children Fiona taught at the school, what happened to Wooley - their trusty dog who adopted them, and of course whether Fiona and 'Ali Baba' ever considered returning to Nepal. I live in hope and can't wait for the next book!
October 25, 2013
'A Beard In Nepal' is a warm and humorous account of the ups and downs (often falling down!) of being a volunteer teacher in a remote village in Nepal. Fiona Roberts leads us through the decision to take advantage of a life changing opportunity, dealing with high altitudes, narrow roads clinging to the sides of mountains, piles of rubbish and attitudes to dogs (and other animals). At the end you may not wish to visit Nepal for yourself unless you are a hardy traveller, but you will certainly have an insight into this unique country.
One little niggle, though. There are a handful of black and white photos in the book. With the descriptions of the wonderful things that the author saw and photographed in Nepal, surely a future edition could be justified having more photos in it, and in colour?
One little niggle, though. There are a handful of black and white photos in the book. With the descriptions of the wonderful things that the author saw and photographed in Nepal, surely a future edition could be justified having more photos in it, and in colour?
January 27, 2016
How this bit of trash ended up on my "to read" list I may never know but I want the couple hours, of my life, I spent reading it back.
What type of adult nicknames fellow travelers "The Dumpies"? Don't most of us learn in preschool not to name call?! She later calls workers in the visa office "the three stooges" and states that all Nepalese are "liars". (I assume she's expecting these three stooges to cater to her indignant english while in their country.)
Its page after page of complaining sprinkled with descriptions of her clumsy falling. JOY
She should stay home.
(and stop writing books)
[image error]
What type of adult nicknames fellow travelers "The Dumpies"? Don't most of us learn in preschool not to name call?! She later calls workers in the visa office "the three stooges" and states that all Nepalese are "liars". (I assume she's expecting these three stooges to cater to her indignant english while in their country.)
Its page after page of complaining sprinkled with descriptions of her clumsy falling. JOY
She should stay home.
(and stop writing books)
[image error]
June 26, 2014
What a fun and quick read! It gave a glimpse into the culture of northern Nepal, and from a quirky and witty perspective. I did have trouble following what was going on at times, though that simply could have been due to the British humor and writing style. I walked away knowing much more about the people of Nepal though; I actually feel as if I know the people of Salle (the village the author spent most of her time in). I recommend this book for any hoping to travel to that land in the future or simply wanting to get an understanding of what it is like. You'll have fun reading it, I guarantee it.
June 27, 2019
I enjoyed this, mainly for the fact that I miss Nepal and just hearing about it's craziness makes me happy.
Would have liked to hear a bit more about the kids in the school and I don't think her husband sounds all that nice.
I will probably give the next one a go though cos Fiona's writing is enjoyable.
Would have liked to hear a bit more about the kids in the school and I don't think her husband sounds all that nice.
I will probably give the next one a go though cos Fiona's writing is enjoyable.
August 28, 2012
A pretty funny and informative account of one couple's account of s 5 month stay in Nepal to teach English in a remote village. It details time in Kathmandu, slong with the trial of travel in the country and the major cities.
December 28, 2013
A Beard in Nepal is funny and touching travel book. Fiona Roberts writes vividly and I really like her sense of humour. The book is also quite informative which is nice because I am keen to learn about different cultures. I will absolutely read A Beard in Nepal 2 too!
October 2, 2019
Tried to finish this book, but couldn't. The writing style was not what I expected. Moreover, the author does nothing to connect with the people or culture and describes people in a very stereotypical and superficial way that is entirely unappealing.
September 2, 2016
Great read well written
September 22, 2014
written very simply... writer's self deprecating humour makes this quite an enjoyable peek into the rural life in a Nepalese village
June 1, 2016
Reads like a long letter to folks back home. Very humorous.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews