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My Beautiful Struggle on the Annapurna
Posted by: Jonathan Liebling | Date: October 21, 2008
While the majority of Nepalese spent the Dashain
festivals by exchanging gifts and enjoying the company of family and
friends, this American intern made the decision to venture the grueling
Annapurna region.
I
arrived in Nepal over a month ago on a spiritual and mental journey, on
a search to understand the beauty that exists within different cultures
and that are shared within the human race. Not knowing if such a task
was possible I arrived in Nepal, unfortunately, with a deep
homesickness and a longing for the comforts of my own country.
On my first evening in Kathmandu as part of the Internship Nepal
program, a fellow intern working in the Human Rights division proposed
the idea of trekking the Annapurna circuit. I guess the adventurous
spirit got the better of me and I quickly agreed to go without truly
understanding the difficult task that lay ahead of me.
As my first few weeks in Kathmandu flew by, the reality of the trek
began to set in, and quickly I went from being an idealistic foreigner
in Nepal to a terrified American.
Representing my home country I attempt to dispel many of the American
stereotypes that exist. Unfortunately I, couldn't alter the image of a
lazy, slightly overweight American. As weeks became days a true fear
set in as I was to trek about 80 km carrying about 10 kg on my back for
10 days.
As I boarded the crowded bus early in the morning on the October 4th it
occurred to me that there was no turning back, and that I was about to
embark on an unforgettable adventure.
Majestic Annapurna towers over the Buddhist prayer flag
Trekking began at 5:30 the next morning and before any thoughts could
set in upon the issues of humanity I was quickly humbled by the
majestic mountains that towered over me. I realized that my life was
going to come and go, but the mountains were to stand forever. The
description is not meant to sound as bleak as it does, but rather
allowed me to foster an appreciation for the beauty of the landscape.
As I slowly trudged the ascent it became evident the paradox that I had
entered. I was staring at the most beautiful landscape I have ever
seen, but to reach the next viewpoint required a deep struggle of both
the mental and physical.
As
my journey crossed path with interesting trekkers, weary porters, tired
donkeys and the struggling locals of the region it occurred to me how
blessed and privileged I was to experience the magnificence of the
countryside and those that ventured through it.
Here I was 16,000 km from my country and the luxuries of my home and
university, being able to see and understand the beautiful struggle
that exists in life on a daily basis.
As I experienced a culture far different from my own it dawned on me
that what I was truly learning from this experience was a deep
appreciation of beauty. These mountains that towered over me like
giants were accelerating my understanding and appreciation of the
definition of beauty.
Mules crossing Jhulunge Pul As the evenings would set in, and guides,
trekkers, porters and lodge owners would rest, trade stories and
experiences, contemplate their days accomplishments and the next days
struggles; I was finally beginning to see what set apart Nepalese
culture from my own. I saw from experiences both in Kathmandu and in
the beautiful country a true sincerity and desire from the Nepalese to
learn from the foreigners that ventured through their homes.
I began to imagine how wonderful this world would be if the people of
every nation were so dedicated to learning and understanding the
differences that we as people have?
As I entered my descent from Manang, (unfortunately I did not have time
for the whole trek, an incentive to return of course), I thought deeply
about what message I could offer my readers?
And I conclude with this: whether Hindu or Buddhist, Christian, Muslim
or Jewish, we are all capable of seeing and understanding beauty. It
exists in the greeting from an elder, a laugh of a child, a smile from
a mother and the rolling mountains of a countryside. We are so
fortunate to be able to share the appreciation of beauty and instead of
searching for differences we should relish the things we can savor
together.
Source:www.nepalnews.com
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- My Beautiful Struggle on the Annapurna | October 21, 2008
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Nepal Himalayas Trekking Pvt Ltd
Nepal Himalayas Trekking (P) Ltd.
Bhagwan Bahal Thamel ( Near of Chhayadevi Complace ) Kathmandu, Nepal
Comments
RD: UEA | 2010-01-31 19:10:40
Your story might be one that most foreigners might experience, but what makes it special is the way you've managed to pen down your emotions & expressions - simple, clear with a good message.
nepalguideinfo: thamel kathamndu | 2011-07-06 09:03:58
Recently we returned from a eight-days trek with a friend in the Annapurna Himalayan range. Boasting spectacular scenery, rugged terrain and extremely welcoming locals, I've never visited another place on earth like Annapurna. Helping us get the most out of our trek was our friendly and knowledgeable guide Sanjib Adhikari, a specialist trekking guide and expedition organizer based in Thamel, the