Knowing contentment brings lasting happiness...
13 Nov, 08 - 12:23
(Caroline submitted this dispatch a few days ago...as it's day 34 of our Secret Spot Tilman Trek now! We just put an alive Budi on a helicopter to Lukla.)
Caroline on the top of Amphu Laptse La Pass(5840m/19155ft)
Day 31 of our trek and we've had a forced rest day in Pheriche because I'm running a fever. Except for today, I've had a wonderful time out here. In a way, I can't believe that the trip is coming to an end and wish to continue visiting remote parts of this country but I have to confess that I am also ready to return to the wonderful conveniences of the industrialized and developed world, for example, easy access to electricity and heat and getting from point A to point B in some sort of mechanized vehicle!
As I mentioned, I'm having a fabulous time, especially memorable was the trek through the remote villages of the Arun River valley. I feel fortunate to have had a glimpse of the lives of the locals. They lead difficult yet simple, contented lives in a harsh environment. It reminds me of a Chinese idiom (loosely translated) "knowing contentment brings lasting happiness".
Many curious kids in the Arun Valley
The men work hard during trekking seasons, being away from their families for weeks on end, carrying at least 30Kg to 50kg of trekking gear, wearing only flip flops or cheap canvas shoes that do not keep their feet warm at higher elevations. The women folk work hard too, maintaining the household and looking after the animals while the men are away. And the children, they willingly chip in to help out. I saw teenage boys washing their family's laundry and putting it out to dry in the sun before they head off to school, teenage girls taking care of younger siblings. Even the young ones as young as 7 years old chip in and can be seen piggybacking their infant siblings on their backs and some of them go out to collect grass and hay for animal feed.
That was in the remote villages. Life on the tourist beat (Nepal's highway to Everest Base Camp) seems different. The young ones here are more influenced by the hoards of visiting Westerners and trekkers. Here, it's about how much they can get out of the trekking tourists. But they local folk work just as hard here, only in a different way. I really do admire the resilience of the local folk up here in the mountains.
Child porters of the Arun Valley
The trek itself has been exciting for me, this is the longest trek I've been on and the highest I've ever gotten up to! It certainly has me hoping for more of such trips in the future. It's been so simple trekking with Phill, Dana and Dawa, everyone is so easy going and relaxed. The views and vistas have been absolutely spectacular and the culture and local food a wonderful experience.
Caroline Ang
Future Member of the Secret Spot Seven Summits Team
(Caroline submitted this dispatch a few days ago...as it's day 34 of our Secret Spot Tilman Trek now! We just put an alive Budi on a helicopter to Lukla.)
Caroline on the top of Amphu Laptse La Pass(5840m/19155ft)
Day 31 of our trek and we've had a forced rest day in Pheriche because I'm running a fever. Except for today, I've had a wonderful time out here. In a way, I can't believe that the trip is coming to an end and wish to continue visiting remote parts of this country but I have to confess that I am also ready to return to the wonderful conveniences of the industrialized and developed world, for example, easy access to electricity and heat and getting from point A to point B in some sort of mechanized vehicle!
As I mentioned, I'm having a fabulous time, especially memorable was the trek through the remote villages of the Arun River valley. I feel fortunate to have had a glimpse of the lives of the locals. They lead difficult yet simple, contented lives in a harsh environment. It reminds me of a Chinese idiom (loosely translated) "knowing contentment brings lasting happiness".
Many curious kids in the Arun Valley
The men work hard during trekking seasons, being away from their families for weeks on end, carrying at least 30Kg to 50kg of trekking gear, wearing only flip flops or cheap canvas shoes that do not keep their feet warm at higher elevations. The women folk work hard too, maintaining the household and looking after the animals while the men are away. And the children, they willingly chip in to help out. I saw teenage boys washing their family's laundry and putting it out to dry in the sun before they head off to school, teenage girls taking care of younger siblings. Even the young ones as young as 7 years old chip in and can be seen piggybacking their infant siblings on their backs and some of them go out to collect grass and hay for animal feed.
That was in the remote villages. Life on the tourist beat (Nepal's highway to Everest Base Camp) seems different. The young ones here are more influenced by the hoards of visiting Westerners and trekkers. Here, it's about how much they can get out of the trekking tourists. But they local folk work just as hard here, only in a different way. I really do admire the resilience of the local folk up here in the mountains.
Child porters of the Arun Valley
The trek itself has been exciting for me, this is the longest trek I've been on and the highest I've ever gotten up to! It certainly has me hoping for more of such trips in the future. It's been so simple trekking with Phill, Dana and Dawa, everyone is so easy going and relaxed. The views and vistas have been absolutely spectacular and the culture and local food a wonderful experience.
Caroline Ang
Future Member of the Secret Spot Seven Summits Team
Posted by Phill Michael at 11/13/2008 11:21 AM 
Categories: SecretSpot.TV, secretspot7summits.com, Nepal, Surefire, Sherpa, Kathmandu, Oakley, Everest, SecretSpotEverest.com, SecretSpot.NET, Tilman Trek, Medtronic, Phill Michael, Seven Summits, Frick, Food, tibet
Categories: SecretSpot.TV, secretspot7summits.com, Nepal, Surefire, Sherpa, Kathmandu, Oakley, Everest, SecretSpotEverest.com, SecretSpot.NET, Tilman Trek, Medtronic, Phill Michael, Seven Summits, Frick, Food, tibet
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