The Bhanu Peace Path of Nepal! B^]
(This dispatch is available with plugins at: http://blog.secretspoteverest.com/2011/04/30/the-bhanu-peace-path-b.aspx)
Lovely Ankita
Saroj is too busy for the super fresh fish! B^P
Brooding darkness defines the horizon to the east of the Kathmandu Valley...and for once...weather moves in from that direction. Sunny thoughts pierce my mind. Thoughts of Tanahun, Nepali sunshine with flowers and fresh water fish dance like sugar plums through my brain.
A mad scramble for sun drying laundry is precipitated by an afternoon Thundershower...and the heartbeat of Kathmandu resonates through Nepal. I can watch it from up here...and I can feel it.
A number of days ago...there was a total ban on fossil fuel powered vehicle use in Kathmandu...so pure peacefulness reigned in an otherwise normally congested infrastructure.
Chirring is THE Freedom Fry Master! B^P
I'm enjoying an unscheduled brown out at the new place...as Chhiring once again wins the Sherpararti Himalayan Freedom Fry Making Contest of April 2011.
Chirring and a Guest will be flown to Chitiwan, by Yeti airlines, for a seven day adventure based out of an all inclusive resort...and will be vying for the coveted title of National Nepali Potato Frying Champion of 2068. Chhiring should be completing his salting and ketchup certification in about 30 minutes.
Lakpa Sherpa gets her smile on for some Dhal Bhat!
Ram Chandra Pokhrel and Master Gelu Sherpa walk the beginnings of the Bhanu Peace Path!
Let's wheel back in time to the Ascent of Mount Tanahunsur in earlier April 2011...
Reflection time in Dumauli and heavy rain is cascading into a strategically placed, plastic bucket...as the heavens unleash a peaceful, nourishing deluge. The roads we just drove upon went from a thin ribbon of asphalt to a rushing river.
An early morning greeted us with clarity and a sunny afternoon saw a formal meeting of the Banu Peace Path committee call to order. Rolling along we are. B^]
Pete Colgan pondered our(Ralph Hammond,Ram Chandra Pokhrel, Pete and I) numerous conversations while he very recently flew through New Jersey airspace and wrote this very early draft of the the vision of the Bhanu Peace Path of Nepal...from the SherpaSchool.ORG / Rotary perspective...
__________
Vision:
Bhanu brought the diverse peoples of Nepal together in solidarity as a nation through his enlightened ideas, expressed via the beautiful use of a common written language. The Bhanu Peace Path will honor his accomplishment by serving as a metaphor for that enlightened connection of diverse peoples. The path will connect communities along its route from Lumbini to Everest who have committed to the education of their children and the betterment of all of citizens through the establishment and stewardship of a community education center that:
-Enables elementary education for all using age-appropriate teaching methods
-Fosters healthful, low-impact lifestyles, and
-Celebrates and reinforce the language and cultural traditions that make each community unique.
__________
And so we roll forward...
Traditional dancing for the President of Nepal!
We spent a Monday 'hobnobbing' with associates of the President of this fine country. I witnessed long speeches, cultural dancing...and general good cheer. It is easy to be positive and optimistic at the Centre of the Universe!
The following Tuesday was equally interesting. Mr Ram Chandra Pokhrel was good enough to introduce me to the grounds of an ancient kingdom. We ascended Mt. Tanahunsur with vigor...drinking in the beautiful views and the Nepali culture.
Brazilla chops it up via Ncell at the watering hole!
Ravi and Anu
We were fortunate enough to not only enjoy the company of Mr. Ravi Shreshtra and his son Anubrava ...but also his niece, Dr. Brazilla Shreshtra. A 1.3 litre Maruti petrol engine transported us from Damauli to the heights of Tanahun village. From there, we used our feet to explore the aged grounds of a lost civilization. Mr Pokhrel told me that the king of this land ruled hundreds...possibly thousands of square kilometres...from the land we stood upon to the plains of the Ganges. This history made us appreciate the scope of our experience...and compelled my mind to visualize a different era.
Ankita in beautiful traditional dress...and a Baby Goat!
As another doorway struck my forehead, I truly realized that these diminutive people shared many hundreds of years of culture and tradition...while north America was just a dream. Things were readily put into perspective as my eyes roamed over the landscape...while my ears were filled with historical lore.
An early morning greeted us with clarity and a sunny afternoon saw a formal meeting of the Banu Peace Path committee call to order. Rolling along we are. B^]
Pete Colgan pondered our(Ralph Hammond,Ram Chandra Pokhrel, Pete and I) numerous conversations while he very recently flew through New Jersey airspace and wrote this very early draft of the the vision of the Bhanu Peace Path of Nepal...from the SherpaSchool.ORG / Rotary perspective...
__________
Vision:
Bhanu brought the diverse peoples of Nepal together in solidarity as a nation through his enlightened ideas, expressed via the beautiful use of a common written language. The Bhanu Peace Path will honor his accomplishment by serving as a metaphor for that enlightened connection of diverse peoples. The path will connect communities along its route from Lumbini to Everest who have committed to the education of their children and the betterment of all of citizens through the establishment and stewardship of a community education center that:
-Enables elementary education for all using age-appropriate teaching methods
-Fosters healthful, low-impact lifestyles, and
-Celebrates and reinforce the language and cultural traditions that make each community unique.
__________
And so we roll forward...
Traditional dancing for the President of Nepal!
We spent a Monday 'hobnobbing' with associates of the President of this fine country. I witnessed long speeches, cultural dancing...and general good cheer. It is easy to be positive and optimistic at the Centre of the Universe!
The following Tuesday was equally interesting. Mr Ram Chandra Pokhrel was good enough to introduce me to the grounds of an ancient kingdom. We ascended Mt. Tanahunsur with vigor...drinking in the beautiful views and the Nepali culture.
Brazilla chops it up via Ncell at the watering hole!
Ravi and Anu
We were fortunate enough to not only enjoy the company of Mr. Ravi Shreshtra and his son Anubrava ...but also his niece, Dr. Brazilla Shreshtra. A 1.3 litre Maruti petrol engine transported us from Damauli to the heights of Tanahun village. From there, we used our feet to explore the aged grounds of a lost civilization. Mr Pokhrel told me that the king of this land ruled hundreds...possibly thousands of square kilometres...from the land we stood upon to the plains of the Ganges. This history made us appreciate the scope of our experience...and compelled my mind to visualize a different era.
Ankita in beautiful traditional dress...and a Baby Goat!
As another doorway struck my forehead, I truly realized that these diminutive people shared many hundreds of years of culture and tradition...while north America was just a dream. Things were readily put into perspective as my eyes roamed over the landscape...while my ears were filled with historical lore.
Lali Bahadur Baniya and Son, Phill Michael and Ram Chandra Pokhrel
The hospitality of the local people was outrageous...and Gelu and I were treated to another version of the ubiquitous Dhal Bhat. It's amazing how a change in diet(steaks and potatoes vs organic vegetables and rice) can open one's heart and mind! B^P
The professional Garlic Peelers at the Hotel Santosh in Damauli!
Another spetacular sunset at the KTM Hideout! B^]
We were watching some fellows at the Santosh Hotel remove the husks from a huge basket of garlic. I like to cook...but I despise peeling garlic...and it is nice to witness folks enjoy the most tedious of tasks with good humour. It's another reminder of the unique character of the Nepali people...and their ability to make the most of any situation.
I love Nepal! B^]
Until SoonThe hospitality of the local people was outrageous...and Gelu and I were treated to another version of the ubiquitous Dhal Bhat. It's amazing how a change in diet(steaks and potatoes vs organic vegetables and rice) can open one's heart and mind! B^P
The professional Garlic Peelers at the Hotel Santosh in Damauli!
Another spetacular sunset at the KTM Hideout! B^]
We were watching some fellows at the Santosh Hotel remove the husks from a huge basket of garlic. I like to cook...but I despise peeling garlic...and it is nice to witness folks enjoy the most tedious of tasks with good humour. It's another reminder of the unique character of the Nepali people...and their ability to make the most of any situation.
I love Nepal! B^]
Phill =^)
PHILL MICHAEL
Expedition Leader and Summit Climber
Everest Freestyle Expedition
Secret Spot Seven Summits
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Posted by Phill Michael at 4/30/2011 2:45 AM 
Categories: Bhanu Peace Path, Ram Chandra Pokhrel
Tags: Bhanu Peace Path Ram Chandra Pokhrel Awards Everest Freestyle Expedition Gelu Sherpa KTM Kathmandu Ncell Nepal Peace Path Phill Michael Secret Spot Seven Summits
Categories: Bhanu Peace Path, Ram Chandra Pokhrel
Tags: Bhanu Peace Path Ram Chandra Pokhrel Awards Everest Freestyle Expedition Gelu Sherpa KTM Kathmandu Ncell Nepal Peace Path Phill Michael Secret Spot Seven Summits
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