Important life lessons learned in Nepal:

• Riding an elephant feels like riding in an enormous rocking chair. In the jungle.

• Bundle up when you're going cross-country on a motorcycle. Even if it's a warm day, as soon as the wind starts whipping you as you cruise down the road, it will be freezing! Especially if said road is in the mountains... in January.

• Aggressive driving is a must-- and if you're a passenger on a bike, it's best if you don't shout and grab the driver at every near collision.

• Walk clockwise around stupas.

• If you get up close in a monkey's face to take a picture, it will probably just try to steal your camera.

• Argue over the price of... well, everything. Never pay the first price they tell you!

• Unless you're a Buddhist, going to Lumbini to visit the birthplace of Buddha is probably not worth the added drive time.

• You can survive off of dal bhat! Rice and soup and veggies are the way to go-- but watch out, because it can be spicy! (Of course, I think pepper is spicy... so what do I know about it?)

• There is nothing quite like motorcycling empty roads up around mountain ridges in crisp air. The freedom and exhilaration can fill you to the brim with contentment, excitement, and wonder.

• Go to the bathroom before paragliding for two hours at a time.