Trekkers Tell the Tale

This group of trekkers jelled, out of self defense, as the days of sweat rolled on and the stories of travels piled up. Toilet Temple tales were exchanged, someone was locked in a pristine local, others fell, slid or were slandered along the trails, "song challenge" winners bragged while losers cried foul, beer and rum took away the chill and loosened up the lips, and each person was humbled by the people they met in this peacefully intriguing country. Most importantly, everyone felt the powerful beauty and touch - of the mountains - in an internally sustainable way.

On a trek, making friends is a priority because there is so much to discuss. For instance, there are no rules posted on the wall of the "Toilet Temple." Do you back in or go in forward? Is it legal to hold on to a pole, or will that result in a collapse, sending you down for the count? If you step in someone else's misdirected pooh,

is there any recourse? Making friends on a trek

is a must.

Becoming friends with the Sherpas is equally

important and often means extra helpings at dinner or whistling entertainment along the trails. Sherpa guides are friendly, interesting, fun-loving people. They have smiles and encouragement for the young, but also for the old, the tired and the downright lazy. Sherpas are the laughing gas that holds a trek together.

Our experiences will linger long after Arlene and Analise, our trip leaders, have unpacked their memories and stored them with so many others. What will make us more memorable than those before us? Perhaps it is the friendships we walked away with or the good times we forged, or hopefully, our commitment to remember all we learned from the Nepali people who shared their "Nameste's" so graciously.

Village Schools

Outdoor play included jumping with
bamboo jump ropes.

The village schools were filled with smiling children and friendly teachers. When I told them that I was a teacher, they were eager to practice their English and exchange information. The teachers earn approximately 150/month. They were very kind, caring and enthusiastic despite so few resources. This classroom had seven or eight books for the twenty plus students. I regret that I didn't take books with me, and I'm looking into the possibility of getting books to the remote schools.

As shown on the blackboard below, this Sitlklas School classroom had 36 students. There were five classrooms with similar numbers. This school is in a larger village and has a few more resources than others we visited. We met many of the teachers, talked to the principal and made a donation to the school.

This delightful teacher told me that she was teaching some English to her students. If I understood her correctly, she is allowed one class period for English, and the rest of the time is spent on Nepali studies.

These children go to one of the many private city schools in the cities.

Words on Children

As I wandered through the villages, I reminded myself of Kahlil Gibran's words on children: You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.

The Nepali people treasure their children; the villagers share responsiblity, older children carry the young, and animals offer food and protection. The landscape, surrounded by mountains, is their playground, and their strength comes from running up and down the hills that we so laborously climb. Without connections to technology, children make up games, sing songs, laugh easily and talk freely. Just being around them lifts the spirits of weary travelers yet leaves unsolved puzzles for future pondering.

Everywhere we went, the children greeted us with Nameste and smiles. Our limited Nepali served us well; we talked about their ages, their goats and their villages. We exchanged names and songs. They laughed at our "alli alli Neepali" and practiced their "alli alli angreji" (English).

The children loved to have their pictures made so they could see themselves in review. I regret that we did not have a camera that produced pictures on the spot.

The marriage ceremony for four year old girls assures them that they will have status in their old age if their husband dies. They are married to fruit! It works for them.

Vote for the party that will clean up the city

Elections are supposed to take place in April; however, the Nepali people seem to think that nothing will change. Refugees have streamed into the city, the population has increased and corruption has swallowed up the funds. The rivers have become dumping grounds for trash, and rotating power outages are the norm. Clean water is a distant dream, standing behind health care and education. Various factions are vying for power. I say vote for the group who will improve the quality of life, starting with the rivers. Then three dips in the river will surely bring the good fortune that will match the warm eyes, the friendly smiles and the caring people.

Touring Patan

The Patan

Museum is set in an old court of Patan Dubar - one of the royal palaces of the former Malla kings of the Kathmandu Valley.

Most of the work is cast bronze and gilt copper repousse', traditional crafts for which Patan is famous. Three Malla kings were in competition with each other in the 16th and 17th centurey; as a result, the world has been left with examples of beautiful craftsmanship. The origional monastery and palace rest on foundations that go back to the Licfhavi Period ( ca.3rd to 9th centurey).

Pagoda style architecture is a stunning example that set the pace for beautiful structures across the world.

Hindu and Buddhist deities, which were created in the Kathmandu Valley, are on display throughout the area, and people of both religions worship each others deities, moving swiftly about, leaving offerings for all.

Stalls throughout the square sell offerings of flowers and candles to leave at the various stuppas, deities and temples. Many go to offerings people set up on sidewalks or buildings.

It is said that if you leave offerings on Thursday and Saturday for seven weeks, you will be blessed.

This seemed easier than the equally beneficial act of dipping ones head in the freezing water of the Ganges three times, but alas, my trekking time frame did not allow. Read tomorrow's post to find out if I went for the "three dips."

Thanks to all of you who followed

Thanks to all of you who followed my progress, and a special thanks to those who were technologically proficient enough to send encouraging messages my way. I was delighted to hear from you and thrilled that you followed my steps across rivers . . . through the villages where children played,

around the smiling children, toward the distant mountains,

past the volleyball game on the short stretch of level tera, into the hot springs we shared with the Nepali,

among the village women working on mats and food preparations,

through stone houses,

and along rock footpaths,

and across more rivers and treacherous bridges. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

Places I will remember

As I fly out of this beautiful country, these are some of the views I will hold close forever.

I'll see you in Bankok where I have an over night stay and high speed internet.