Getting Lost for Several Hours-the Silver Lining
Yesterday I shifted to my new Airbnb. It is a small apartment in a family's home and so far it has been very nice and quiet. Plus the family is very hospitable, helpful and friendly.
The hosts' 13 year old son, showed me a trekking path and then he told me that he would accompany me in a couple of days for a longer trek. Well since I thought I could do it myself, I set off yesterday morning around 9 AM with my backpack and a liter of water.
I was having a great time discovering great views and oohing and aahing!! But it was intensely hot and steeply uphill. I was sweating profusely and I went through my liter of water quickly. Well no problem I thought, I can get back to the apartment in about an hour. Ha ha somehow I managed to get lost.
If you look closely you can see how I had sweat dripping everywhere. I had climbed from the city below.
I guessed I lost my way somewhere about halfway back to the apartment. I turned for help to my phone GPS and it could not locate me exactly. But it was suggesting I get back to the main road and then it would be another 1.5 hour to get back. Without water, I was doubtful I could get back comfortably. I knocked on a couple of village house doors for water but nobody was home and there were no other houses in sight.
So I just started walking. I made a mental note to always bring my water purification bottle when I next went out. Then I could drink from a stream or pond-no problem. In about 30 minutes I sighted a house up on a hill. A smiling man waved at me and asked what country I was from. I chatted with him a minute, then I told him I was lost and could I please have some water.
He and his wife invited me up to their home, filled my water bottle and sat me down to rest. They could see I was sunburned and drenched with sweat. I tried to protest, but his wife even brought me food. I was very thankful because I had left home without much breakfast.
We talked about world politics and gun violence in USA (yes even the remote country of Nepal knows about our problem!). They told me their experience in the big earthquake of Nepal in 2015 and how their home was destroyed. The Nepal government gave them $3000 toward building a new home. Their home cost $12,000 so now they have a loan for the remainder at 15% interest. Loans to individuals in Nepal are not easy to get. They showed me inside their simple home and around their small family farm. I tried to give them some money for their help but they strongly refused.
I had a wonderful time with them and due to their help I had enough strength to finish the hour walk back to the apartment. As soon as I can, I will walk back there to bring them a gift. I marked their home on my GPS. And this time I will keep my eye on the path!
The hosts' 13 year old son, showed me a trekking path and then he told me that he would accompany me in a couple of days for a longer trek. Well since I thought I could do it myself, I set off yesterday morning around 9 AM with my backpack and a liter of water.
I was having a great time discovering great views and oohing and aahing!! But it was intensely hot and steeply uphill. I was sweating profusely and I went through my liter of water quickly. Well no problem I thought, I can get back to the apartment in about an hour. Ha ha somehow I managed to get lost.
I blame the scenery for distracting me. Here are a few views from the hike yesterday AM.
If you look closely you can see how I had sweat dripping everywhere. I had climbed from the city below.
So I just started walking. I made a mental note to always bring my water purification bottle when I next went out. Then I could drink from a stream or pond-no problem. In about 30 minutes I sighted a house up on a hill. A smiling man waved at me and asked what country I was from. I chatted with him a minute, then I told him I was lost and could I please have some water.
Kamal and Lakshmi Devtola in front of their home
He and his wife invited me up to their home, filled my water bottle and sat me down to rest. They could see I was sunburned and drenched with sweat. I tried to protest, but his wife even brought me food. I was very thankful because I had left home without much breakfast.
We talked about world politics and gun violence in USA (yes even the remote country of Nepal knows about our problem!). They told me their experience in the big earthquake of Nepal in 2015 and how their home was destroyed. The Nepal government gave them $3000 toward building a new home. Their home cost $12,000 so now they have a loan for the remainder at 15% interest. Loans to individuals in Nepal are not easy to get. They showed me inside their simple home and around their small family farm. I tried to give them some money for their help but they strongly refused.
I had a wonderful time with them and due to their help I had enough strength to finish the hour walk back to the apartment. As soon as I can, I will walk back there to bring them a gift. I marked their home on my GPS. And this time I will keep my eye on the path!
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