In Nepal private transportation is not common and paved roads can be counted on the fingers of one hand. That's why humans still do most of the work, carrying weights even in difficult situations. In the cities or in the Himalaya it makes no difference, "porters" are always seen around with the weirdest loads in the back. For transportation they usually use locally made wicker baskets, that are anchored to the head to better sustain the heavy load, sometimes close to 100 kg. In the following gallery, some of the most impressive porters seen in Kathmandu and in the Annapurna Circuit, Nepal.
Porters in Annapurna Circuit through photos
Even kids are not exempt from the common destiny of carrying loads on their backs: they are taught since they are child to carry weights , or as in this case seen while trekking in the Annapurna Circuit, the younger sister.
Also this old man is carrying a baby on his back, in a village of the Nepali Himalaya.
Human transportation in urban Nepal through photos
A young woman carrying a wicker basket on the back. It is really common to see porters even in urban Nepal
A man in the very center of Kathmandu, Durbar Square, in Nepal. The main square is a perfect spot to sit in one of the pagoda like temple's stairs and enjoy humanity passing by.
Another porter in Durbar Square, Kathmandu, carrying bottled water to supply tourist shops.
When human transportation is not enough, there is always a way to load the impossible over an old bicycle.
Back on the steps of Durbar Square, Kathmandu, a men is carrying a fridge with a bicycle-rickshaw.
The load is carrying this man is big that surpassing his size by several times.
A woman charging heavy bricks that she will carry on her back. It's not uncommon to see women working in building yards in Nepal and in India.
In another local building yard, instead of machines and bulldozers, men are carrying out the excavation and one of them is acting as a "human-bucket" with a wicker basket being loaded on his back.
Some people are so poor that they cannot afford any shoes. This man is working barefoot on the hot asphalt, carrying two heavy packages on the back.
Still in Kathmandu, a woman transporting a basket full of grass on the back.
Davide Vadalà
