Seattle to the slopes of Himalayas a Pahadi Bahu Daughter in law Amanda Bhandari

Amanda Bhandari. grew up a typical Pacific Northwest girl in Seattle, Washington, USA — a place where the mountains meet the sea, and lush green forests thrive under near-constant rain. She raised by a hardworking single mother & maternal grandparents. As the eldest child, she helped raise younger sister and brother. Some of her fondest memories are family game nights — a home-cooked meal followed by cards and board games, all while enjoying dessert and laughter. Like every family, Amanda had her struggles, but those challenges only strengthened her bond with family .

Since childhood, Amanda was curious — always asking questions and yearning to learn more. That desire led to her deep passion for connecting with people from different cultures through language and shared stories. She grew up going to school with children from all walks of life, cherished learning about their traditions and experiences.

Amanda Himalayan daughter in law journey to India began, quite unexpectedly, she fell in love with Bollywood at age 16. The vibrant music, colors, emotion, and storytelling captivated her . Amanda vividly remember watching Shah Rukh Khan in different love stories and being moved to tears and laughter in the same film. It felt like she had discovered a whole new world she wanted to be part of it.

Since then she bought a “Learn Hindi” book and started teaching herself Hindi language. Amanda American Indo girl studied subtitles and song lyrics, slowly beginning to understand the words behind the emotions. At first, the dance sequences in the middle of films felt unusual — something rarely see in Hollywood — but soon she found herself looking forward to them. She still struggle with music lyrics today, She express that she love the songs that speak to her and try best to learn them.

Amanda journey & intrest took her to medical field. Driven by passion for helping others she worked toward degree in Nursing. Then, on one typical rainy Seattle evening in 2013, life took a new turn. A friend invited her to a casual get-together — and that’s where she met Pradeep ( Soul Partner ).

He had been working as a software engineer at a local company for a few months. When he found out about Amanda interest in Indian language and culture, it sparked a connection between Pradeep & Amanda . bonded over deep conversations and shared values. She was especially touched by the way he spoke about his parents — with such respect and devotion. It was rare and beautiful.

They hadn’t planned on falling in love or getting married at that time, but it just felt right. When she introduced him to family, they instantly recognized his kindness and gave us their blessings, saying, “If you’re happy, that’s what matters.” Pradeep would call his parents in India every day, and one day he introduced Amanda to them over the phone. Amanda Hindi was still rough, and she was shy, but tried her best to express warm intentions. While she knew they had their concerns, they trusted Pradeep’s judgment and said they just wanted him to be happy.

Amanda & Pradeep first married in Maui, Hawaii — a small, intimate American beach wedding that planned with all hearts. A few months later, traveled to India for traditional Hindu wedding at the sacred Chitai Mandir in Almora Uttarakhand . Amanda says It felt like the heroine of my own Bollywood film. Surrounded by the magnificent mountains, she officially became a Pahadi Bahu (mountain daughter-in-law). The rituals, the meaning behind them, and the emotions we felt that day are etched in her memory forever. It was different from o American wedding, but just as meaningful.

Amanda & Pradeep hosted a grand reception in Pithoragarh, where it felt like the whole town came to bless us. She was deeply moved by the love and sense of community — despite being from another part of the world, She was welcomed with open arms.

After the wedding, They returned to the U.S., traveling across states for our work while regularly visiting our home in India. In 2019, Were blessed with son, Kai. chose a Hawaiian name for him in honor of the place where Amanda & Pradeep journey began. In Hawaiian, Kai means “ocean” — representing the vastness and strength of our bond.

In mid-2024, she made a life-changing decision to return to India and settle in Pithoragarh — not just for herself , but for family. They wanted to support elderly parents, who had spent their entire lives working hard and making sacrifices so that we could grow, succeed, and chase our dreams. Caring for them in this season of life is not only our responsibility — it’s an honor. Amanda share We also wanted our son to grow up near his grandparents Dadi and Dadu, to learn the language, absorb the values, and feel rooted in the culture that shaped his father.

Many people asked us, “Why bring him here? Isn’t America better?” And honestly, it saddens me. Every country has its flaws and its beauty. Why do we so often assume the West is better? Is it just human nature to crave what we don’t have? While not everyone has the chance to travel, I hope that through my story, others might learn to appreciate their homeland more deeply.

Now that my son has adjusted to life here, I’ve begun my social media journey as @PahadiGori — a name I chose myself. I want to document my adventures exploring India and the world, learning Hindi and the Pahadi dialect, and embracing this beautiful culture. I plan to create content in both Hindi and English so that my friends and family back in the U.S., and people around the world, can experience India through my eyes. They often ask, “What does the red mark (sindoor) on your forehead mean?” — and now I have a platform to explain these traditions in a way that connects cultures.

In today’s world of instant communication, we often forget the value of genuine connection. As Sean Stephenson once said,“Communication is merely an exchange of information, but connection is an exchange of our humanity.”

Through all the twists and turns, one thing has become clear: my journey isn’t just about where I came from or where I landed — it’s about how I can bridge the two worlds. That’s why I started @PahadiGori — not just as a name, but as a way to honor both sides of who I am. I want to share the beauty of India through my eyes, break down cultural barriers, and celebrate the little moments of learning and connection. Whether it’s trying to master Pahadi words, explaining Indian customs to curious friends back home or American customs to people here in India, or simply sharing a heartfelt slice of everyday life — this platform is my way of giving back to the community that welcomed me so warmly.