When my friend Cynthia asked me to be her plus 1 on a trip she was planning with her oldest and dearest friends to Nepal, I jumped on the opportunity. I honestly didn’t know much about Nepal, outside of the fact it was home to Mt Everest. I knew that she and her friends were planning a trekking adventure and that was all I needed to know to pique my interest.
As the trip got closer, I finally sat down and mapped out our route and realized we would partially hike to Everest, followed by a helicopter experience to check out base camp and fly around the mountain. How cool is that?!?
A few of us arrived early to take in the sites of Kathmandu, the Nepal capital, one of the oldest cities in the world, and the surrounding areas full of world heritage sites (like Durbar Square, Swayambhu Stupa, Boudha Stupa, and Pashupatinath Temple), and several national parks. We visited temples, sacred shrines, and monasteries. The city is vibrant, full of life, history, art and culture, and the valley is surrounded by the Himalayan Mountains. Over 80% of the population is Hindu, while many also practice Buddhist principles which co-exist in harmony.
After Kathmandu, we made our way via a crazy 5 hour car ride overnight (not even on a road) to a remote part of Nepal – Ramechhap – where we were eventually able to get a quick flight to Lukla to start our trekking journey. Lukla is one of the most dangerous airports on earth, with a runway of only 250 meters and many flights cancelled each day due to weather. On our way there and back, our flights were each delayed by 6+ hours before we were able to make our journey.
I had no idea what to expect on the trek, as I hadn’t talked to many who had made this trip before. It is a single dirt and rocky walkway that weaves its way through very small towns with large accents and descents. We walked across dozens of long suspension bridges, and all the large rock formations on the trail were sketched in black and white paint with the Tibetan Buddist Mantra of Compassion – Om Mani Padme Hum. On the trip, you are passed by other hikers/trekkers, human porters (carrying bags for trekkers, material to base camp for the climbing expeditions, and supplies from town to town – some loads as heavy as 200 pounds), and animals that carry supplies – mules, horses, and yaks. There are tea houses and lodges / hostels to stop and stay at each night where you get food, a hot shower available at assigned hours, some electricity, and an electric blanket for overnight to keep you warm.
Every day included a hike, some days were harder than others given the altitude impact and elevation gain. All of us were coming from the US which required at least 24 hours of flying just to get to Kathmandu. Several of us suffered with colds, some got food poisoning, and lots felt the dust in our throats which is commonly known as the “kombu cough”. Most days included a new form of cultural immersion – a monastery, temple, school, art installation, stop at a tea house – and the eye candy of the mountains surrounded us all along the journey – Annapurna, Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Kailash, and of course Everest.
The heli ride over Everest was other worldly. Base camp is configured like a tent city, waiting for climbers to arrive to make their attempt during the narrow window when they can climb. The tents are spread out everywhere, ready for the most prestigious climbers to arrive. Those that trek just to base camp can take a peak and then must make the trek back out to the nearest hostel which is a few hours away.
Being immersed in such a different culture than I am accustomed to createdsuch a special education of living peacefully, being present, and practicing compassion. Feeling the kindness of so many people, especially in our group, along the way an absolute gift. I am so thankful I was able to be Cindy’s plus one!
Letting go of my belief I was on a hike to an end state, and embracing the fact I was on a journey into a culture, a state of being, and a way of thinking, made all the difference.
Namaste
