Author Archives: Donatella Lorch

About Donatella Lorch

I am a former New York Times foreign correspondent and a former correspondent for NBC News and Newsweek. Lots of formers there. I am also a mom of four, a wanderer and I've lived overseas for more than a decade. Most recently, after four years in Kenya, three years in Nepal, and three years in Ankara, Turkey, we've returned to our home in the Washington DC area.

Doggone It, Why Do They Make It So Hard To Take A Pooch On A Plane?

2 Replies

From Kenya, to Nepal to Turkey — our dog Biko has experienced the red tape and complexities of international travel. Here’s a dog’s tale. My story for NPR.

http://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2016/04/10/473504035/doggone-it-why-do-they-make-it-so-hard-to-take-a-pooch-on-a-plane

This picture of Biko was taken on the southern edge of the Kathmandu Valley during one of our regular weekend hikes. We were stopped on this knoll, watching a traditional Newar funeral procession.

‘I Hope The Hospital Has Enough Diesel For Their Generator’

1 Reply

Photo credit: (c)Bradley Wong – A maternity ward in a rural hospital in Nepal

Nepal is on the brink of a humanitarian crisis. Hospitals are short of medicine and fuel due to a border blockade. They are cooking with firewood and delaying many surgeries. The rural areas are particularly hard hit  In the midst of it, I ended up having emergency surgery. My piece for NPR.

http://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2015/12/06/457269135/i-hope-the-hospital-has-enough-diesel-for-their-generator

It’s Nepal’s Biggest Holiday And Goats Are Not Happy About It

Leave a reply

It’s been a tough year for Nepal – huge earthquakes, thousands dead, millions homeless followed by massive  strikes protesting a new constitution (the strikers have valid points!) and then an “undeclared blockade” by India the sole supplier of fuel that in very circumspect and vaguely termed ways decided to send fuel only in dribbles.  Now its Dashain, the biggest holiday of the year. Here’s a tale of goats.

http://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2015/10/21/450557985/its-nepals-biggest-holiday-and-goats-are-not-happy-about-it

Waits Stretch for Days as Nepal Confronts Fuel Shortage

1 Reply

India’s “undeclared” blockade of Nepal has created a countrywide massive fuel shortage affecting life at all levels from driving to cooking, medical treatment and ability to assist earthquake victims. My piece for the New York Times. Every aspect of our lives is connected to fossil fuels.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/16/world/asia/nepal-kathmandu-fuel-shortage.html

The Red God Had The Earthquake Blues — But Now He’s On A Roll!

Leave a reply

Like many Nepalis, the Red God has been homeless and living in a tent since the April 2015 7.8 magnitude earthquake. Yesterday he got back into his chariot an started a one month trip through towns and a major city. Here is my story for NPR

http://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2015/09/22/442517305/the-red-god-had-the-earthquake-blues-but-now-hes-on-a-roll