My memories of Kathmandu in spring 2015 are painted in stark contrasts. What stays with me most vividly are the warm, radiant smiles of the Nepali people – a joy that seemed unshakeable even in the simplest moments. Then came the devastating 8.1-magnitude earthquake that struck at noon on April 25th, just as I was preparing to check out of my hotel in Thamel, Kathmandu’s bustling tourist heart. In a matter of seconds, the ground beneath my feet revealed how quickly life can change.

These two memories – of enduring human warmth and nature’s raw power – have become a constant reminder that life’s beauty and fragility are two sides of the same coin. The people of Kathmandu taught me that the most profound beauty often shines through in our most vulnerable moments.

katmandu