Alive and Doing Fine
Trip Start
Apr 28, 2010
1
4
7
Trip End
Jun 19, 2010
Where I stayed
Kalopani Guest House
Kalopani, Dhawalāgiri, Nepal
Thursday, May 27, 2010
It's been about a week and ...wow! What a week. Internet is way too expensive here for detail so I'll give you the highlights!
Crossing the Pass
Despite my reaction to Diamox, I trudged on after a pleasant rest in Manang. Met up with a great Canadian couple and their porter and guide and we all headed for the pass playing nightly animated rounds of Gin Rummy ...Fun! Climbing to the Pass itself was daunting ...my legs felt like stone and my lungs wanted to explode from lack of oxygen. Reaching the summit of the pass was quite emotional for me. Feeling so utterly blessed to be not once but twice! Fond memories swirled back from the last time I was here.
In the Company of Canadians
Out of all the travellers I meet, I must say that for some reason I most enjoy the company of Canadians. Not sure if it's because we have the same cultural background or if it's because Canadians are great. Perhaps a bit of both. I noticed this on my last trip as well. The Nepalis seem to like us a little more than the other nationalities as well!
On My Own ...YES!
Brett and Kori were on a bit of a fast track so I parted company with them at Jomsom. I contemplated flying back to Pokhara since from Jomsom down it was all road (back in 2000, this part was all trail ...no vehicles whatsoever) I'm glad I decided not to do this. Heading on down the trail on my own has been the highlight of the trip!
Lost and Found
In my efforts to avoid the road, I have gone off the beaten track and 'discovered' some little visited Monasteries and villages. Had a great talk with a Nyngma monk who at 21 is teaching younger monks about buddhism in a 15th century monastery with the most amazing Fresco art depicting Buddhist deities I have seen. Walked on the opposite side of the river from the road where there was no trail. Got horribly lost ...and somehow found my groove. The Annapurna Circuit is remote but it is well defined and the villages on the circuit are set up for trekkers. I found a village that had no facilities for trekkers and really didn't know what to do with me! I ended up finding an unmarked restaurant without a menu and pantomimed my request for a mint tea and two boiled eggs. I got milk tea instead though they got the eggs right!
Darren's Trekking Playlist
My iPod has become my best friend. I mean, movies use music to create a mood no? Walking along in the middle of nowhere, (sometimes lost!) Flipping on a tune evokes in me a feeling of well being that enhances the already amazing experience. Some tunes have really hit home. In Your Image by 54-40 stopped me dead in my tracks with it's relevance to my life and I experienced a valuable insight. Other songs are just fun and I find myself walk-dancing along, and sometimes singing out of tune at the top of my lungs ...and no, no one is around when I do this! Just hanging out in my own little world! My trekking pole works great as an air guitar!
Walk Eat Sleep
Something very therapeutic about having nothing else to do but walk, eat and sleep. yesterday I put on 19 kms just walking and enjoying the phenomenal scenery and village life.
Chilling at Kalopani
I deserve a break! I've been sleeping on hard mattresses in cold guest houses full of bugs and outdoor squat toilets where the left hand rule applies and cold showers. I pulled into Kalopani after a marathon 8.5 hour day (only got lost once though!) and decided to go big. I booked into the luxury room which had the softess mattress and pillow of the whole trip, a sit down toilet and a shower that not only had pressure but HOT water. Luxury!!!!!! I kind of stepped out of my budget on this one. It's costing me $9.00 a night. Oh and did I mention I had roasted chicken? First meat of the trek!
My Favorite Trekking Partner
So far I've trekked with a group, I've trekked with a couple and I've trekked on my own. It occured to me when I was trekking alone, that I really wasn't alone. This came home to me when I read the comments that people left on my travel blog. You have no idea how much this means to me. It makes me feel as though you are here with me. It really bouys my mood. As I'm trekking, and especially on my own, I have been recording my thoughts and feelings via the video function of my little Sony Cybershot. So I'm going along and I'll point the camera at myself or something that interests me and make an observation or insight. I am not thinking of anyone in particular when I do this ...I guess just whoever it is that will watch it when I'm done! It totally gives me the sense of not being alone, like I have an invisible trekking partner! Oh god, I think I'm losing it!
Stanley Cup?
Funny, when I left Calgary, I was engrossed in the Stanley Cup playoffs. I ran into a Canadian - from Caglary who brought me up to date and told me Montreal beat Pittsburgh. WOOHOO!!!! Since then I've lost track and may check after I send this update. It's cool to get little snippets of home while doing something so far out of the ordinary.
What's Next?
It May 27th. My flight from Kathmandu leaves for home on June 19th. A 10 day course on Buddhism starts on June 2nd. I took this same course 10 years ago and it was very influential. I am still in touch with the group I started out with and there will be a big Steak dinner celebration in Pokhara ...soon. Not quite sure what the hell I'm going to do! And I hate that I have all these choices! I may just keep walking until my time here is up! I'll play it by ear. At my current pace and if I don't balk and take a jeep or bus ...it will take me at least 5 days to reach Pokhara. Nope not a clue what I will do. I'm going to stop thinking about it, stop writing and go have some breakfast.
Thanks for reading!!
Love Darren
P.S.
The photos are not in any particular order and not labelled according to where they were taken. Just some of the shots I liked! I'm technically challenged it seems when it comes to loading and organizing pictures online! I'll work on it!
Comments
It is so good and rich to read your stories Darren. I can hear you talking as I read. Thanks for sharing. love you.
Hey Darren,
Way to get lost in the enjoyment of your life!
Thx for the updates. It's like I'm right there with you. Now I don't have to do it! Ha, ha!
I'm there with you in Spirit.
Thank you for blessing me with the love of the mountains.
Big hug & lots of love.
P.S. Thx for the pics of the chicks. ;0)
hi Darren,
wow, how wonderful for you to be doing this trip. sometimes the best insight comes when we are alone. It is funny how music can change our mood, and perspective, and sometimes the right song comes up exactly when we need it.
happy trecking, I am enjoying your blogs.
Hey bro
thanks so much for another excellent blog I love all your sharing and the way you express yourself. Like others I feel so connected to your journey and feel that a part of me is on the journey with you
We will think of you and send love from the Anger workshop. Hugs. Sohail
Hey Darren... Thank you so much for sharing. Makes me want to try such an adventure. Stay well!
Love, Deanna
Darren,
You represent all of us Canucks out there, keep doing what you do!
Thanks for the blog note, great pictures.
WoW!!!!!
Darren, reading your blogs make me smile, smile, smile!!! This one was especially great. I am so thrilled for you and also thankful for the vicarious experience of such a beautiful journey. Lots of Love, Christine
Great blog Darren. I am so jealous. One day when the kids are grown up and I am old and grey maybe I too can trek. : ) I spend my days off going where the wind blows me probably in preparation for a big trek like yours. We are gearing up for the anger workshop. I have little irritations cropping up like Maya forgot her gym clothes with no less than 3 reminders this morning.
Glad to see you are picking up lots of chicks! Ing
It's great to live vicariously through you on your trek. As I'm sure I've mentioned to you, I have a most intense home-sickness-like yearning to go to Nepal. I will some day... it's not an option.
Like I commented on one of your photo's, your stories have my heart and eyes welling up with this strong yearning I spoke of. When Jessica just told me about you being there, my eyes started to water as I yearned. So, good on ya!! Wish I was there to cross paths with you.
I have only one concern though... more than for your nearly exploding lungs... Isn't your trip-blogging, for you, given your computer tech occupation, kind of like a bus driver going on holidays on a bus?(!) :oD Well, for selfish reasons, I'm glad you're doing it. :)
Hey! Do your stretches!! (as a massage therapist, I'm obligated to nag you about that.) :)
Take care.
Very glad to share a little piece of this adventure with you. Looking forward to hearing/seeing the video recordings of insights gained along the pathway. Planning my own little adventure - motorized with a dual purpose bike designed for rugged adventures to Panama. You inspire me friend.
Great stuff, Darren? Hiking down the wrong side of the river was brilliant. I'm putting that trip on my bucket list.
Darren thanks for including me in the list of people you have invited to be part of your journey. It is inspiring to read and helps me along my own journey.
Hi Darren!! Great to hear from you!! Your journey sounds beautiful and rich . Just saw Kelly and friends in Calgary last night. It was stellar!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bye love Threza
Hey Dazza!
Sounds like you are having an absolute ball, and reading your blog makes those 10 year memories come right back! Wish I could be there with you, enjoying it all again... but I suppose you're doing a good job of allowing us to enjoy the experience via your writing. Thank you.
Look forward to following your travels and experience. Make sure you eat some yak cheese for me....
Jo. xxxx
Glad that you are doing fine. Keep cheering.
Big Hugz! Thanks for taking us along on your adventure. Eat, Sleep, Walk...nothing else quite like it eh!?
Thanks for all the pictures Darren. Especially the chicks! Glad to hear you're enjoying it so much.
Flash!
You are a gifted writer! Who knew? :) We're enjoying your tales and pictures! Enjoy all the chics! and the upcoming retreat. Keep on dancin' to the tunes, dance one for Harv and Nick!
You are loved.
Deanola, Harvoli, Nick and Alex
Dear Darren,
My god, you need to write a book of your experiences when you get back. I feel like I am right there with how you are describing everything! What a wonderful adventure you are on. ;)
By now you'll be at the Buddhist retreat, so not sure when you'll have access to e-mail again, but just know that I am sending out the positive vibes your way.
Oh yah, you probably heard this already.....just the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup.
Take good care, plenty of hugs, and drop a line when you can. Sus
Gin Rummy!! You mean you didn't take Euchre into the heart of the wilderness??? The altitude sickness is really getting to you lad. Hee hee
Cool to hear about your discoveries when you went "off road". Metaphor for life as it seems that living "off road" is where most of the unknown juice of life is hanging out!!!
Wow, what cool markings on the spotted dog!! Thanks for adding that shot.
I see that the chics keep following you wherever you are Darren. :-)