Chitwan National Park Safari

The Chitwan National Park opened in the late 70's after Nepal unlocked it's borders and allowed travelers to trepidly explore it's mountains and valleys. This lodge, built in 1988, looks and feels like a worn shoe from the 40's. It has flavor of strange proportions, depending on a persons point of reference. The naturalist was very antimated; moreover, after instructing us on the action to take if confronted by a bear, a one horned rhino, a tiger, a leapord or a boa, I determined in my own mind that I would just do myself a favor and pass out. When he pointed out the fresh tiger tracks, I couldn't remember if I was supposed to climb a small tree ( that was for the bear), lay on the ground and cover my head, back away slowly and quietly, get behind a big tree (that was for the rhino) or any of the other non-appealing instructional directions.

Our two nights spent at the Jungle Lodge gave us the opportunity to ride the elephants, view the wildlife, take a river trip, go on nature hikes, sleep in a screened/thatched roofed room while nestled up to a hot water bottle, sing around the campfire in the round house and dine on the grounds.

Who shall speak for the people

Carl Sandburg asked:
Who shall speak for the people?

Who has the answers?

Where is the sure interpreter?

Who knows what to say?

At every juncture, I feel inadequate. For each "Nameste," the friendly faces reveal no signs of the hardships. In every child's eyes, eagerness overshadows hunger. The teachers cling to me with questions; they have more answers than I. The village people show connections born out of history, culture, dependancy, spiritualism, determination and inclusiveness. They surely wonder about the people wrapped in a materialism that they will never know, yet they show no signs of the envy we are often defined by.

The Higher you go, the better the view

I'm off to Baktapur - more later.

Above the clouds

On the fourth day of our trek, we climbed all day long before arriving on a high ridge, above the clouds, with a spectacular view of the mountain range. Eight peaks highlighted this panoramic view. We spent a wonderful evening wrapped in the beauty of the mountains and woke to see the sunrise coloring each crest and crevasse. Each of us gazed, continually, hoping to sear the view into our minds forever.

Why I'm here

And now, I leave you with this, the reason I'm here . .

Our group of twentyfour trekkers hiked in groups of five or six with our Sherpa Guides leading the way. Trekking the Himalayas is such a wonderful experience, but not for the faint of heart. The best views are bestowed on those that go Up, Up, and Up! Thanks to my hiking partners, my running inspirers and my lifting advisors, I sailed up without too much trouble. The hiking gave me strength, the running gave me wind and those squats saved my knees on the downhill. I told my friends about the "doggedly trudged" title given me by the writer that took my picture at the top of Mt. St. Helens. They said I was better than a "doggedly trudged" label this time. So there! And here are the views from the top of the ridge. .

The Bridges, The Bridges, The Bridges

Thank you Judy and Peggy for your bridge report. Fortunately our group did not know about the collapse as we carefully crossed one after another. I can certainly speculate as to which one gave way. It could have been the one I named "the prayer bridge," two steps and a prayer, or the bamboo baby bridge being held together by a wing and a prayer (it was desperately in need of new prayer flags) or maybe the "casino boardwalk bridge" which was a crap shoot since it was missing two our of three boards wherever we stepped. I'm glad you were thinking of me.

Fortunatley, the only injury I sustained (a pulled muscle) occured in the toilet tent while trying to take a crap Sherpa style. For more detail, call me when I return home; I'll wait by the phone.

Life on the Trail

With new friends, I trekked past terraced hillsides, tripped over mountain waterfalls, crossed trecherous bridges and gazed at the spectacular peaks. The village people were busily taking care of crops, cows, buffalo and chickens. Women were weaving goat hair, drying grain, making baskets, washing clothes and taking care of children. Everywhere I go, the mountains constant beauty is strong and powerful. Past memories blend with new experiences, forming a carefully woven cloak. This mesmerizing land has a calm about it despite, or maybe because of, the challenges faced by those who dwell in the same manner as their ancestors before them. Little here has changed; leaving questions without answers by those who don't ask.