Standing at the airport, waiting for the kids to arrive on Sunday, I noticed all the billboards. Its not the first time I’ve seen them here, but they aren’t that common. Which is a good thing in a way, because who wants big ugly billboards everywhere? Not me.

But looking at the big black and white Pizza Hut ad, I realised that its not really black and white, just really, really faded.  And then I flashed on the empty billboard signs I saw in Athens last summer and how indicative they were of Greece’s financial woes.  The billboards here were similar in that they showed me the lack on investment – particularly international investment from companies just like Pizza Hut.  Way back when Pizza Hut came and the billboard went up.  And, yes, Pizza Hut is still here.  But as far as I know, there’s just one outlet.  Big conglomerates like that don’t just come to open one store. So what happened?  Political instability.  Years of instability leads to lack of international investment.  I hope things change for Nepal with the elections behind them and the promise of a more stable future.  Nepal doesn’t need more bad pizza or bill boards, but it could use a lot more investment in its future.  I hope it comes soon.