Made it back a week 1/2 ago, no injuries, gastrointestinal distress or trama.
For those of you who may have concerns about your health while traveling, I can only say if you stick to boiled water, or bottled drinks, well cooked food, lots of rest and good company, you will do well.
This has been an amazing journey, not only to see the other side of the world, the world's tallest mountain, get up close and personal with the people of Nepal, and my fellow travelers, but also to know more about who I am and what I am capable of doing.
Would I do it again, probably.
We live in a priviledged world in the US, and we need to give back. What I have seen in Nepal gives me great respect for the way of life of others. Such happiness, joy and laughter that flows so freely is often missed here in the hustle, bustle, and stress that we impose upon ourselves in the name of progress. Is there a happy medium, probably. I still see education as the key to changing the world, both here and in other parts of the world. I am an older woman who sees the younger women of the world as having the capability of shaping a new destiny for their people, whoever they may be, wherever they may be, here in the States, or half way around the world in Nepal.
As an older woman, I too have knowledge to share, and so do you.
If you have the opportunity, take the time, give back in whatever way you can.
Signing off from Aurora, Colorado
Namaste
Friday, June 24, 2011
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Sunday, June 12, 2011 - Kathmandu
It is Sunday morning, 7:59 am. We've been up since 5, had breakfast, showered, repacked and now I'm on the computer. What a wonderful thing it is to communicate with those we miss.
Last night at dinner, we did highs and lows of the trip, the high I mentioned was completing the plastering of 3 rooms, our last volunteer team project.
It was a high, but only one among so many, starting with the excitement of learning about the Edge of 7 and the work that they do,
Planning for the trip, aticipating the departure, meeting Emma in New York's JFK airport, Brussels to New Delhi, to Kathmandu.
Landing in Kathmandu, going through customs, meeting Karma Sherpa, a definite high, meeting the other volunteers, Dawa and Chiling, getting to the hotel, touring Kathmandu's temples, being driven through the streets of Kathmandu; although that may be described more as an exciting amusement park ride rather than a high.
Departing for Salari, seeing the tops of the high mountains for the first time, the landing at Salari was a definite high. The hike to the camp site, our first afternoon of work at the site, hiking to our homes, meeting our families, sleeping.
Each morning's hike back to the work site, the happiness and peace of the workers. These are the most marvelous people you would ever hope to meet. The actual physical labor and seeing the results of our hard work. The energy and enthusiasm of the workers and the volunteers. The excellent food, comradaree and caring.
The children of our family, Karma and Pasang Sherpa.
The hike up the mountain, the fun of being with the other volunteers, Karma, Dawa and Chiling. The appreciation for the extra above and beyond care that Jerry and I were given on our trecks, Thank you so much for that Dawa, Chiling, and Rohm.
The treck back to Solari, the flight, being back in Kathmandu, although the mountains are better for me.
The extra care given by Karma getting us to the airport for the mountain flight, the mountain flight itself. Time with the other volunteers, dinner with Karma, Raja, the electrician, their wives, children and the other volunteers.
The bitter sweet knowledge knowing that this morning will be our last morning in Nepal for this trip, looking forward to going home, but also already missing the adventure that this trip has been.
Those were just some of the highs, each day was a story in itself and I am greatful for it.
If you have the time, you too can make it happen for yourself, the girls of Nepal, the Edge of 7 and The Small World.
Have a wonderful day, namaste!
Susan
Last night at dinner, we did highs and lows of the trip, the high I mentioned was completing the plastering of 3 rooms, our last volunteer team project.
It was a high, but only one among so many, starting with the excitement of learning about the Edge of 7 and the work that they do,
Planning for the trip, aticipating the departure, meeting Emma in New York's JFK airport, Brussels to New Delhi, to Kathmandu.
Landing in Kathmandu, going through customs, meeting Karma Sherpa, a definite high, meeting the other volunteers, Dawa and Chiling, getting to the hotel, touring Kathmandu's temples, being driven through the streets of Kathmandu; although that may be described more as an exciting amusement park ride rather than a high.
Departing for Salari, seeing the tops of the high mountains for the first time, the landing at Salari was a definite high. The hike to the camp site, our first afternoon of work at the site, hiking to our homes, meeting our families, sleeping.
Each morning's hike back to the work site, the happiness and peace of the workers. These are the most marvelous people you would ever hope to meet. The actual physical labor and seeing the results of our hard work. The energy and enthusiasm of the workers and the volunteers. The excellent food, comradaree and caring.
The children of our family, Karma and Pasang Sherpa.
The hike up the mountain, the fun of being with the other volunteers, Karma, Dawa and Chiling. The appreciation for the extra above and beyond care that Jerry and I were given on our trecks, Thank you so much for that Dawa, Chiling, and Rohm.
The treck back to Solari, the flight, being back in Kathmandu, although the mountains are better for me.
The extra care given by Karma getting us to the airport for the mountain flight, the mountain flight itself. Time with the other volunteers, dinner with Karma, Raja, the electrician, their wives, children and the other volunteers.
The bitter sweet knowledge knowing that this morning will be our last morning in Nepal for this trip, looking forward to going home, but also already missing the adventure that this trip has been.
Those were just some of the highs, each day was a story in itself and I am greatful for it.
If you have the time, you too can make it happen for yourself, the girls of Nepal, the Edge of 7 and The Small World.
Have a wonderful day, namaste!
Susan
Friday, June 10, 2011
Saturday, June 11, 2011
It's 10:45 am, we've been up since 5:00 am, went to the airport and caught the Mountain Flight for an air tour of the Himalayas. What a trip!! They are tula mountains, really big. They stretch on forever and just keep getting bigger, Everest is certainly the tallest but fits right in with the surrounding landscape. If a picture is worth a thousand words, we've got a major novel on our hands. The plane was a Jetstream 41 that seats 30 passengers. All seats were full except for the one next to Jerry. On the way out, the mountains were on my side, the left and we were given a printed profile so we could identify the mountains as we passed them. Little did we know, but Karma had used his influence and we boarded as VIPs and got the best seats on the plane, which happened to be in the last row. The windows were large and there was no wing obstruction of the view. Fields and fields of mountains and glaciers passed by until we passed Everest. The pilot then made a wide turn and headed back to Kathmandu with the big mountains on the right side. He was so close to them it looked like the wings could touch the peaks. Awesome.
Oh yes, we also were allowed to go to the cockpit and take pictures of Everest from the pilot's point of view. Magnificent. I asked him which mountain was Mount Number and he pointed out the peak just in front of Everest, that explains why we couldn't see Everest from the work site.
I like Nepal more and more. Being older than the rest has not been an obstacle. Karma and the other Sherpas have a saying, slowly, slowly. You can do anything if you give it the time it needs. Look at the dorms that are being built, they didn't have to be done in a short amount of time and they are coming out so beautiful. (check the Edge of 7.org web site) Jerry and I even made it to the top of the mountain that we weren't sure we were going to start the trek. Nepal has been such a great learning, growing experience.
Thank you Erin for being there and doing what you do. Thank you Karma for being such a good ambassador
for Nepal, guide for us and spokesman for The Small World and Edge of 7.
Oh yes, we also were allowed to go to the cockpit and take pictures of Everest from the pilot's point of view. Magnificent. I asked him which mountain was Mount Number and he pointed out the peak just in front of Everest, that explains why we couldn't see Everest from the work site.
I like Nepal more and more. Being older than the rest has not been an obstacle. Karma and the other Sherpas have a saying, slowly, slowly. You can do anything if you give it the time it needs. Look at the dorms that are being built, they didn't have to be done in a short amount of time and they are coming out so beautiful. (check the Edge of 7.org web site) Jerry and I even made it to the top of the mountain that we weren't sure we were going to start the trek. Nepal has been such a great learning, growing experience.
Thank you Erin for being there and doing what you do. Thank you Karma for being such a good ambassador
for Nepal, guide for us and spokesman for The Small World and Edge of 7.
Friday, June 10, 2011
It's been awhile since I have been one with the computer. We hiked in 2 hours to the work site, had tea, moved some tula dunga, that's big rock, then hiked down to the home we stayed in the last couple of weeks.. In the mornings we again hike up the mountain, 15 minutes the first time, got it down to about 7 minutes before we left. Moved rock, crushed rock, some moved lumber, moved dirt, plastered walls with a mud mixture and really could see a difference in how the place looked by the time we left.
The Nepal people we worked with are very inventive. If they come to an obstacle, like a really big boulder where they want to be digging a hole, they don't resort to dynamite, they use the "how do you eat an elephant" technique. They used a sledge hammer and chisel to break it into small pieces, which were then moved by baskets on the backs of one woman and one young man to another area. They are so strong, yet fine and slender, I'm convinced, able to solve an problem and willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. They had us, Jerry and I, convinced we could indeed climb the mountain on our final day. We had the option of staying at a Tibetan monastery instead of going all the way to the top, but we went and made it. We had a picnic and then hiked back down. 2 hours up, 1 1/2 hours down. Had tea, went to our homes, got out gear, Sherpas carried the heavy packs, then hiked 2 hours to Phaphlu to spend the night in order to catch the plane this morning.
Although Kathmandu is definitely interesting, the mountains would be my preference any day. We were able to see Mt. Number on our walk to work in the morning, and as we left Phaphlu this morning we saw the tip of the big one, Mt. Everest.
Tomorrow Jerry and I are taking the mountain flight at 7 AM to tour the front of the range, including Mt Everest. We are excited.
So much left unsaid. More later,
Susan
The Nepal people we worked with are very inventive. If they come to an obstacle, like a really big boulder where they want to be digging a hole, they don't resort to dynamite, they use the "how do you eat an elephant" technique. They used a sledge hammer and chisel to break it into small pieces, which were then moved by baskets on the backs of one woman and one young man to another area. They are so strong, yet fine and slender, I'm convinced, able to solve an problem and willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. They had us, Jerry and I, convinced we could indeed climb the mountain on our final day. We had the option of staying at a Tibetan monastery instead of going all the way to the top, but we went and made it. We had a picnic and then hiked back down. 2 hours up, 1 1/2 hours down. Had tea, went to our homes, got out gear, Sherpas carried the heavy packs, then hiked 2 hours to Phaphlu to spend the night in order to catch the plane this morning.
Although Kathmandu is definitely interesting, the mountains would be my preference any day. We were able to see Mt. Number on our walk to work in the morning, and as we left Phaphlu this morning we saw the tip of the big one, Mt. Everest.
Tomorrow Jerry and I are taking the mountain flight at 7 AM to tour the front of the range, including Mt Everest. We are excited.
So much left unsaid. More later,
Susan
Monday, May 30, 2011
Ready to board
5:58 am we're ready
Went for a walk around the block, it really looks different without honking cars, dodging motorbikes, rickshaws and tons of people.
Backpack is packed - thank you so much Charles.
Daypack is ready to go.
We leave the hotel at 7:30 am. I'm going to try posting pictures, but don't be too disappointed if they don't make it.
Hugs ya'll!
Went for a walk around the block, it really looks different without honking cars, dodging motorbikes, rickshaws and tons of people.
Backpack is packed - thank you so much Charles.
Daypack is ready to go.
We leave the hotel at 7:30 am. I'm going to try posting pictures, but don't be too disappointed if they don't make it.
Hugs ya'll!
Sensory Overload and Education
Today was an education in Budest temples and Nepal culture. The city is very large and busy. The odors, the noise, the large number of shops and people became more than a bit overwhelming. Our guide was very knowledgeable and we learned much. It was very tiring and we were more than glad to get back to the hotel for a short rest before dinner.
At dinner we had the option of food from Nepal, China, India and Tibet. I had vegetable momo soup which is a type of dumpling soup, very good. Jerry chose a pork chow mein because we have had very little protein. It was all interesting. We talked about where were going and what we're going to be doing and I can hardly wait. We did what is called High and Low where we each told what we have enjoyed the most and the least. The least was the smells of Kathmandu, open sewers, cows dogs (which are all neutered) open sewers, people who don't seem to value the concept of showers, and the ever present smell of incense. The highs included meeting each other, 2 who have just finished their freshman year at college, one mechanical engineer for Apple, a solar energy person, a person who has run treks in South America, and the US, myself and Jerry. 5 women, 2 men, you guess whose who. There are also two Sherpas and Karma Sherpa's wife who were at dinner. A very diverse and interesting group all around.
We also received or rather volunteered for duties that will change daily. Jerry will be in charge of lost and found, which means he'll check the rooms, the bus, and the plane for any objects that may have been left behind inadvertently. I am in charge of health, which means I ask everyone individually how they are feeling at different points in the day.
We leave at 7 am for the Kathmandu airport where we will take off in a twin otter and head for the eastern Himalayan mountain town of Solari (I know I have spelled totally wrong, sorry.) We will go to the work site and then later in the day we will meet the families we will be staying with for the next two weeks.
Let the adventure begin.
Susan
At dinner we had the option of food from Nepal, China, India and Tibet. I had vegetable momo soup which is a type of dumpling soup, very good. Jerry chose a pork chow mein because we have had very little protein. It was all interesting. We talked about where were going and what we're going to be doing and I can hardly wait. We did what is called High and Low where we each told what we have enjoyed the most and the least. The least was the smells of Kathmandu, open sewers, cows dogs (which are all neutered) open sewers, people who don't seem to value the concept of showers, and the ever present smell of incense. The highs included meeting each other, 2 who have just finished their freshman year at college, one mechanical engineer for Apple, a solar energy person, a person who has run treks in South America, and the US, myself and Jerry. 5 women, 2 men, you guess whose who. There are also two Sherpas and Karma Sherpa's wife who were at dinner. A very diverse and interesting group all around.
We also received or rather volunteered for duties that will change daily. Jerry will be in charge of lost and found, which means he'll check the rooms, the bus, and the plane for any objects that may have been left behind inadvertently. I am in charge of health, which means I ask everyone individually how they are feeling at different points in the day.
We leave at 7 am for the Kathmandu airport where we will take off in a twin otter and head for the eastern Himalayan mountain town of Solari (I know I have spelled totally wrong, sorry.) We will go to the work site and then later in the day we will meet the families we will be staying with for the next two weeks.
Let the adventure begin.
Susan
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Kathmandu and Thrilled
OMG! I'm in Kathmandu, Nepal. It is so amazing - different - culturally amazing.
I was able to get a few pictures of the BIG mountain, that would be Everest. We were flying at 35,000 feet and it was sticking up above the clouds showing its glory to the warmth of the sun. Now all I have to do is get it from the camera to the computer. Hopefully next blog.
Amazing, ok, I'll find a new word.
The trip from Brussels to New Delhi was an 18 hour flight from boarding to deplaning. How many hours did Shakelton spend at the bow of the ship waiting for Antarctica to appear on the horizon. We really do have it good.
We were presented with friendship scarves when we arrived and it will be treasured for a very long time.
Kathmandu is so crowded and colorful, it is both scarey and intriguing. I won't be going out walking by myself, because the maze that is the city is populated by drivers, of cars, bikes, rickshaws, and motorbikes, who use the horn as the first rule of travel. I have yet to see a dented fender or a pedestrian collision, but it is one exciting ride in a taxi in the rain.
The hotel we're in has the most beautiful carved wood and plaster ceilings with florets and leaves pressed into them. It was not what I expected at all. The staff is so very friendly and seem to want to give you the best service possible. It's being renovated in the patio area and there was a woman working on the stone floor with an ancient looking tool, making it just so. The Neapalese I've met take a lot of pride in the work that they do.
Reading this over, it sounds fragmented, but then that might have something to do with sleeping for 2 hours at a time for the past 3 days. Tonight will be different. I have a bed as hard as the surrounding mountains to sleep on and the silence of the city to lull me to sleep - let's not forget, those who drive by the horn.
Tomorrow the rest of the group gets here, we have orientation, then go out for a tour.
By the way we bought sleeping bags and pads, they were about 1/3 the cost of what I saw at REI and Sports Authority and the lady was pleased as she could be to sell them to us for that price - you were so right Chuck.
Sleep well ya'll.
Later,
Susan
I was able to get a few pictures of the BIG mountain, that would be Everest. We were flying at 35,000 feet and it was sticking up above the clouds showing its glory to the warmth of the sun. Now all I have to do is get it from the camera to the computer. Hopefully next blog.
Amazing, ok, I'll find a new word.
The trip from Brussels to New Delhi was an 18 hour flight from boarding to deplaning. How many hours did Shakelton spend at the bow of the ship waiting for Antarctica to appear on the horizon. We really do have it good.
We were presented with friendship scarves when we arrived and it will be treasured for a very long time.
Kathmandu is so crowded and colorful, it is both scarey and intriguing. I won't be going out walking by myself, because the maze that is the city is populated by drivers, of cars, bikes, rickshaws, and motorbikes, who use the horn as the first rule of travel. I have yet to see a dented fender or a pedestrian collision, but it is one exciting ride in a taxi in the rain.
The hotel we're in has the most beautiful carved wood and plaster ceilings with florets and leaves pressed into them. It was not what I expected at all. The staff is so very friendly and seem to want to give you the best service possible. It's being renovated in the patio area and there was a woman working on the stone floor with an ancient looking tool, making it just so. The Neapalese I've met take a lot of pride in the work that they do.
Reading this over, it sounds fragmented, but then that might have something to do with sleeping for 2 hours at a time for the past 3 days. Tonight will be different. I have a bed as hard as the surrounding mountains to sleep on and the silence of the city to lull me to sleep - let's not forget, those who drive by the horn.
Tomorrow the rest of the group gets here, we have orientation, then go out for a tour.
By the way we bought sleeping bags and pads, they were about 1/3 the cost of what I saw at REI and Sports Authority and the lady was pleased as she could be to sell them to us for that price - you were so right Chuck.
Sleep well ya'll.
Later,
Susan
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