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By Todd Constance

My wife Julie and I have been in Bangkok for three years now. We are fortunate to travel quarterly during the school year, so we plan our trips and tours in detail, leaving time slots open to do our own thing. This past October, we were putting together a visit to Nepal to see our friend Chip from Mount Pleasant, SC, who works as a teacher in Kathmandu. Chip became a close friend during our years in Ukraine when we had a little dinner club going. As we were planning, I realized I knew someone else in Kathmandu: a Nepali filmmaker, Nischal Proudyal, who I first met at the Tryon International Film Festival.

I grew up in Tryon. I remember in the late ’60s, whenever we came into town on Hwy. 176 from the south, my father would point out the “Friendliest Town in the South” sign. As a child, I took his point to heart and have always lived by it. My home was on Skyuka Road, so back in the ’70s, I was the goofy-looking kid on a bike that waved at absolutely everyone who ventured down our road. I do it cruising around Bangkok on my scooter too, only here it’s a nod of the head with a smile as an accompaniment. The results are inspiring in today’s sometimes harsh world.

My father was a good example of our friendly town. He welcomed many people into town at ‘Constance Service Center’ his gas station at 509 S.Trade St. Many of these snowbirds and other visitors became lifelong friends. One couple spent winters at our home for years. I got a ride to school in Mr. Phillips’s Porsche. Very cool in my little big eyes. Later, while in college, I put to good use my experience as a petroleum transfer engineer working in my dad’s gas station, and later his tire store. I would stop whenever I saw someone with a flat tire and change it for them. When they thanked me, I told them I was from the friendliest town in the south. Funnily, it seemed that many knew Western N.C. and Tryon as well…more than half, I’m guessing.

So, a few years ago, I was home in Tryon from Ukraine, visiting my aging father, when I met this Nepali documentary filmmaker with a giant smile. Nischal was obviously having a great time in our unique and hospitable little town. He came for the International Film Fest, and following introductions from the late Crys Armbrust and Beau Menetre, we became friends. That was at The Tryon Bottle. We hit McGourty’s for live music, etc., later that night.

Which brings me back to us planning our trip. Julie and I booked a long hike with a homestay lodging for a few nights at the beginning of our trip. We arrived back in the city in the middle of the week. Nischal and I had been Facebook friends since our first night at McGourty’s, so I sent him a message, and we made plans for dinner at Chip’s favorite place, the Dechenling Garden Restaurant. Nischal’s brother Nirjal came along and was a nice addition to our table conversation. Chip’s friend Kate and her friend visiting from the US completed our table that night. The food was absolutely delicious. Nepali food is flavorful with lots of spices, but it is not spicy hot. This restaurant was certainly one of the better places in a city filled with tasty street food and great restaurants.

During our amazing dinner of delicious Nepalese dishes (Momos are a must-try), Nischal spoke of the unbridled warmth, hospitality, and, yes…friendliness that he had received in Tryon. He budgeted for lodging, but Beau and Ashley would not hear of it and put him up.  The whole time he was there, people such as the Eades invited him to parties and had him over for dinner. I thought, “Yep…that’s Tryon in a nutshell.” During the meal, we mentioned our plans to visit Boudhanath Stupa on our last night. Nischal quickly informed us that it was very near his parent’s home and offered to give us a guided tour and dinner. How lucky we were to benefit from Nischal’s wish to reciprocate the love he was shown in Tryon. Winner winner…tofu chicken dinner!

On our last night in Nepal, we visited the Boudhanath Stupa with its hundreds of multicolored prayer flags. It was built in the 5th century and is the iconic backdrop for many photos and images of Kathmandu. It is one of the largest and most significant stupas in the world and is a hub of Tibetan Buddhism. Nishal spent a year at a monastery near there as a boy, which he included on our tour.

As it got dark, we were off on a ten-minute walk to his parent’s rooftop to dine on an incredible home-cooked meal. It was one of the best meals we’ve had, without doubt. Curried pumpkin got our attention, as well as tofu fried crispy with a delicious sauce and plenty of lentils which are a staple of the Nepali diet. We were somewhat familiar with Nepalese food, but this was something special. Knowing they prepared this meal just for us and spending time with Nischal’s lovely family made it a delightful evening. Their warmheartedness was on full display and reminded me a bit of Tryon in a way.

Julie and I love seeing cool things, but the best part of traveling is making connections with people. I strongly suggest sitting at a communal table, changing someone’s flat tire, or even just offering a nod and smile as you drive past…and by all means, stop and say hello to Nishal if you’re ever in Kathmandu.

Todd Constance is a roving raconteur, trivia fan, and yo-yo master raised in Tryon who enjoys traveling the world. He can be reached at todddyprints@gmail.com.