What the wall is
Over time, the wall has gathered handprints from guests who have stayed at the retreat. It shares the place with colourful murals elsewhere on the farm, and it grows a little with each visit.
Unlike a guestbook, it is something you can take in at a glance: a record of many different people who found their way to Bartung. If you ever come back, it is a nice thing to go looking for.
How to take part
Ask the hosts when and how to add your handprint, and what to use. Some guests sign their name or the date beside their print.
Paint can take a while to dry and does not always wash out of clothes, so roll up your sleeves and keep a cloth nearby. Children usually love this part. Help small hands press flat and lift straight off for a clean print, and have somewhere ready to wash up afterwards.
Getting a good photograph
Take the picture with your hand beside the fresh print, or step back to show it among the others. Soft morning or late afternoon light is kinder than harsh midday sun. If you are travelling with friends, a group shot by the wall makes a good last photograph of the trip.
For more ideas on capturing your visit, see our guide to photography in Palpa, or browse the gallery for photographs from around the retreat.
A small ritual
Small rituals like this are part of what makes a stay feel personal. Together with a Nepali welcome on arrival, the handprint makes a quiet bookend to your time on the farm. Leave it until your last day if you like, so it marks the end of the stay rather than the start.