The New Nepal! B^]
(This dispatch is available with plugins at: http://blog.secretspoteverest.com/2011/05/07/the-new-nepal-b.aspx)
Shiva(the patron Saint of Sherparatri) and Parwati appear to like the New Nepal.
The 20th Century brought about change for a rather provinical Nepal. In the early 1950's(the late part of the first decade of their 21st century i.e. 1951 in the 'Western World' was 2008 in Nepal...give or take a month or so)...King Tribuvhan's admistration exhibited revolutionary behaviour...as did the people of Nepal. To bring about the easing of the caste system was courageous and avant-garde. Revolutions had just happened all over Asia(eg India, Pakistan and China). This paradigm shift of 60 years ago directly contributes to the freedom the Nepalese enjoy today.
"My Cas' is Kick Ass!"
The other day...while I was getting a straight razor shave...a new friend, Mahadub, asked me what MY caste was...which clearly stated that he wasn't aware that things didn't work any other way than they they do right here. Or do they?!
Since I am in Nepal...and it's good to try to embrace the culture of where you are...I said, "My caste?! My Cas' is Kick Ass!". His head bobbled in the affirmative...and a shrill and lengthy laugh busted out of his soul.
Chhiring Sherpa and Madhavsilwal (Mahadub) Biky stand under an ancient Pipal tree that has lived in Kathmandu for centuries!
The Sherpa people of Nepal were really the first to break 'out' of their caste. In the early 1950's...when Nepal started to open it's borders to the rest of the World...their 'no non-sense' and capable nature made them the ideal canidates to lead Himalayan climbing expeditions...like Everest! Their bold behaviour was a catalyst for change. No expedition can be successful in the Himalayas without the Sherpa. The first person to stand on the highest point in the World was Tenzing Norgay Sherpa! Anyone who thinks otherwise is just not giving credit where credit is due.
The beginning of the 21st century(2000...the year George W. took power in the US of A) saw the Nepalese attempt to herald a 'New Nepal'. Any meaningful changes take time...in ANY environment ...and time ignores the ambtions of man...whether he likes it or not. Try and swim against a rising tide...and you will see that energies are often better spent 'going with the flow'. I recommend catching a sweet, tasty wave...rather than one that will close out on you quickly. =^]
Nepal sports a culture where tens of ethnicities live together in realtive harmony. It's worth praising! There is no 'us' and 'them' in a functional society...only 'US'! The sooner everybody realizes that...the better for all.
Mr. Ram Chandra Pokhrel and Shuva Sharma consider the route of the Bhanu Peace Path
I'm playing a small role in the development of the Bhanu Peace Path. It's the brain child of Mr. Ram Chandra Pokhrel...with a little help from seasoned and effective Rotarians like Ralph Hammond. The path will, literally and figuratively, join cultures and ethnicities...and all roads will lead to the Lumbini...the birth place of Lord Buddha! The SherpaSchool.ORG(Hmmmm...we really need to give it a proper name) will be the first community centre/school on the path...and there will be similar institutions along said path...fed by the power that the wheel of the Rotary generates. It's going to be good. Subscirbe to this blog...and you can watch it all happen in real time. I invite you.
Mr. Ram Chandra Pokhrel and Phill Michael with Tanahun, Nepal in the background
My my...it's seems so simple to have clarity from the New Nepal...I guess that's because it's the Centre of the Universe...and you can't get any 'higher' than in Nepal! I'll say it again...and again. To live in an enviroment that feeds the spiritual side of one's being...while living in close proximity to the Natural(and thousands of temples)...is mind numbingly beautific...I assure you. To exist in a place where Love and Honour aren't just theories...but actually rule paramount...brings us closer to be human.
Purna Lama tells me his story at his ancestral home
As I watched the first blossoms of a multitude of fruit trees emerge from their winter dormancy, I pondered this New Nepal. My Good friend, Purna Lama' spoke to me of an ancient Nepal...where his Tamang grandfather was nothing more than a slave. His family history touched my heart...as did his simple philosophies. People with less (materially) always give more. What am I talking about?! Give it some thought...if you dare...=^>
The New Nepal isn't just a concept...it's a reality that will blossom into sweet fruit. I can taste it.
My greatest Muse recently informed me that my last dispatch brought her 'Here'. That was my plan. That's always the plan...to bring YOU...the Reader...right here. She says she 'loves' Nepal...though she hasn't been here(other than virtually...through this blog) for waaay too long. The Winds of Change...they are always blowing.
'Ramro' and 'Yakpudu'...all at once!
Until Soon
Phill =^)
PHILL MICHAEL
Expedition Leader and Summit Climber
Everest Freestyle Expedition
Secret Spot Seven Summits
SecretSpot.NET
PhillMichael.COM
SherpaSchool.ORG
SecretSpotStore.COM
Shiva(the patron Saint of Sherparatri) and Parwati appear to like the New Nepal.
The 20th Century brought about change for a rather provinical Nepal. In the early 1950's(the late part of the first decade of their 21st century i.e. 1951 in the 'Western World' was 2008 in Nepal...give or take a month or so)...King Tribuvhan's admistration exhibited revolutionary behaviour...as did the people of Nepal. To bring about the easing of the caste system was courageous and avant-garde. Revolutions had just happened all over Asia(eg India, Pakistan and China). This paradigm shift of 60 years ago directly contributes to the freedom the Nepalese enjoy today.
"My Cas' is Kick Ass!"
The other day...while I was getting a straight razor shave...a new friend, Mahadub, asked me what MY caste was...which clearly stated that he wasn't aware that things didn't work any other way than they they do right here. Or do they?!
Since I am in Nepal...and it's good to try to embrace the culture of where you are...I said, "My caste?! My Cas' is Kick Ass!". His head bobbled in the affirmative...and a shrill and lengthy laugh busted out of his soul.
Chhiring Sherpa and Madhavsilwal (Mahadub) Biky stand under an ancient Pipal tree that has lived in Kathmandu for centuries!
The Sherpa people of Nepal were really the first to break 'out' of their caste. In the early 1950's...when Nepal started to open it's borders to the rest of the World...their 'no non-sense' and capable nature made them the ideal canidates to lead Himalayan climbing expeditions...like Everest! Their bold behaviour was a catalyst for change. No expedition can be successful in the Himalayas without the Sherpa. The first person to stand on the highest point in the World was Tenzing Norgay Sherpa! Anyone who thinks otherwise is just not giving credit where credit is due.
The beginning of the 21st century(2000...the year George W. took power in the US of A) saw the Nepalese attempt to herald a 'New Nepal'. Any meaningful changes take time...in ANY environment ...and time ignores the ambtions of man...whether he likes it or not. Try and swim against a rising tide...and you will see that energies are often better spent 'going with the flow'. I recommend catching a sweet, tasty wave...rather than one that will close out on you quickly. =^]
Nepal sports a culture where tens of ethnicities live together in realtive harmony. It's worth praising! There is no 'us' and 'them' in a functional society...only 'US'! The sooner everybody realizes that...the better for all.
Mr. Ram Chandra Pokhrel and Shuva Sharma consider the route of the Bhanu Peace Path
I'm playing a small role in the development of the Bhanu Peace Path. It's the brain child of Mr. Ram Chandra Pokhrel...with a little help from seasoned and effective Rotarians like Ralph Hammond. The path will, literally and figuratively, join cultures and ethnicities...and all roads will lead to the Lumbini...the birth place of Lord Buddha! The SherpaSchool.ORG(Hmmmm...we really need to give it a proper name) will be the first community centre/school on the path...and there will be similar institutions along said path...fed by the power that the wheel of the Rotary generates. It's going to be good. Subscirbe to this blog...and you can watch it all happen in real time. I invite you.
Mr. Ram Chandra Pokhrel and Phill Michael with Tanahun, Nepal in the background
My my...it's seems so simple to have clarity from the New Nepal...I guess that's because it's the Centre of the Universe...and you can't get any 'higher' than in Nepal! I'll say it again...and again. To live in an enviroment that feeds the spiritual side of one's being...while living in close proximity to the Natural(and thousands of temples)...is mind numbingly beautific...I assure you. To exist in a place where Love and Honour aren't just theories...but actually rule paramount...brings us closer to be human.
Purna Lama tells me his story at his ancestral home
As I watched the first blossoms of a multitude of fruit trees emerge from their winter dormancy, I pondered this New Nepal. My Good friend, Purna Lama' spoke to me of an ancient Nepal...where his Tamang grandfather was nothing more than a slave. His family history touched my heart...as did his simple philosophies. People with less (materially) always give more. What am I talking about?! Give it some thought...if you dare...=^>
The New Nepal isn't just a concept...it's a reality that will blossom into sweet fruit. I can taste it.
My greatest Muse recently informed me that my last dispatch brought her 'Here'. That was my plan. That's always the plan...to bring YOU...the Reader...right here. She says she 'loves' Nepal...though she hasn't been here(other than virtually...through this blog) for waaay too long. The Winds of Change...they are always blowing.
'Ramro' and 'Yakpudu'...all at once!
Phill =^)
PHILL MICHAEL
Expedition Leader and Summit Climber
Everest Freestyle Expedition
Secret Spot Seven Summits
SecretSpot.NET
PhillMichael.COM
SherpaSchool.ORG
SecretSpotStore.COM
Posted by Phill Michael at 5/6/2011 4:20 AM 
Categories: Ram Chandra Pokhrel, Kathmandu, Phill Michael, SecretSpotEverest.com, Sherpa, Lumbini, secretspot7summits.com, Nepal, Everest, SherpaSchool.ORG, Secret Spot Adventures, Bhanu Peace Path, SecretSpot.NET, phillmichael.com, Nepal Peace Path
Tags: Bhanu Peace Path Everest Everest Freestyle Expedition Kathmandu Nepal Nepal Peace Path Phill Michael Ram Chandra Pokhrel Secret Spot Adventures Secret Spot Seven Summits
Categories: Ram Chandra Pokhrel, Kathmandu, Phill Michael, SecretSpotEverest.com, Sherpa, Lumbini, secretspot7summits.com, Nepal, Everest, SherpaSchool.ORG, Secret Spot Adventures, Bhanu Peace Path, SecretSpot.NET, phillmichael.com, Nepal Peace Path
Tags: Bhanu Peace Path Everest Everest Freestyle Expedition Kathmandu Nepal Nepal Peace Path Phill Michael Ram Chandra Pokhrel Secret Spot Adventures Secret Spot Seven Summits
As I look out my window at the lilac tree about to hit full bloom, I'm thinking back on the rhododendrons that were blossoming at the lower altitudes in the Nepali hills 10 weeks ago. Why is it that the plants blossom first at the lower altitudes, but the PEOPLE at the higher altitudes seem more ready to open up before those in the valleys?
;-)
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