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Preparing for the mountains...
Entry 24 of 27 | show all | print this entry |
Hi guys,
Just a short blog entry this time as there is not a great deal of news! I forgot to mention in my last update an excursion that Lok and I went on last Tuesday (a national holiday) with Devas, Sondar, Sujan and Nermal - four of the older students- to Sangarkot. This is a half-ruined kot, or armoury, built in the days of the Shah. It is situated in the foothills above the town, and gives wonderful views onto the lake, and on any other day, the remarkable Annapurna massif. However, the weather last week was fairly overcast and we had a few showers. It was a good climb, and very nice to see a bit of Nepal outside of the city. We took snacks with us and sat at the top drinking hot, sweet chiya (tea). It was a really great day, and needless to say very impressive to watch four blind or low-vision guys casually marching up and down this steep and rocky terrain - another example of the kind of attitude these chaps have!
The weather has cleared up now and each morning on my jog to the monsatery I am treated to an incredible view of the snow-dusted mountains glistening and picked out in the pink early-morning rays of the sun. It should be good for my trek, which I start the day after tomorrow.
On Monday evening, I was invited by Colonel Cross to a talk he was giving to some new British Gurkha officers at the camp, followed by as superb curry dinner. I won't discuss the talk too much, but I must say it was riveting. I would recommend anyone to read some of J.P. Cross' books - he has had an completely unique life. Whatabouts and Whereabouts in Asia, Jungle Warfare and The Call of Nepal are three titles. After the talk, I reflected for a long time on the undoubted veracity of the famous epitaph to the Gurkhas - "Bravest of the brave, most generous of the generous, never had a country friends more faithful than you'.
Buddhiman also attended the dinner, and i tried to practice what little Nepali I have so far picked up, by telling him about my planed trek. Unfortunately, I confused the verb chudnu (to climb) with chaadnu (to vomit), so what I actually said was 'Nest week I will vomit up to Annapurna basecamp'. However, we all make mistakes!
Lessons are going well at the school, and I hope I have been of some help. Next week the students will be sitting their exams, so it is the ideal time for my trek. It will take 7 days - I wish I could do a longer one, for example the three week Annapurna circuit, but time is whizzing past. In fact I am halfway through my time in Nepal already.
Today we had a visit by some Japanese students, two of whom were deaf and one was blind. They wanted to see how blind students in Nepal are taught and exchange some ideas. Lok told me that one thing the school could do with is an embosser - a Braille typing machine, and I plan to see if I can do some fundraising for it when I get back - let me know if you'd like to make a donation! It would allow the school to produce its own study materials, rather than applying for them centrally, which can take ages.
I will be sure to write about the trek when I'm back in Pokhara. Until then, best wishes for a happy Mothering sunday weekend (especially to my own Mum!).
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| 24. | Preparing for the mountains... - Pokhara, Nepal Feb 27, 2008 |
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