a Nepali outlook, pace and philosophy had prevented us being swamped by our problems. In Nepal it was easier to take life day by day.

GPs are almost the only doctors these days who understand all problems, can see the whole person…spend time with the dying…see things through to the end.

We'd incorporated Asia into our bones - its colours and laughter, its smells, its rhythms, its tolerance and patience, its compassion, its lack of ageism.

Major Chhetri's pronouncement when we'd first arrived in Nepal came echoing back: "Things that start in the rain end well.

In Nepal, the quality of conversation is much more important than accuracy of the content. Maybe we get overexcited about information in England?

I've come to learn that being alone is better than being next to someone and feeling alone.

Keeping the people's government open is not a concession to me. Keeping vital service running and hundreds of thousands of Americans on the job is not something you 'give' to the other side.

Never settle with words what you can accomplish with a flame-thrower.

A man posing for a painting.

My point is not that everything is bad, but that everything is dangerous, which is not exactly the same as bad.

In reality, the monotheist texts preach neither peace, love nor tolerance. They are texts of hate.

I am in fear, there is no humour left in public life because of this fear.

My definition of likeable may be different from other people's. That's not traditional likeable. Sympathy is a different thing [to define it].