70.20 Nepal: A few illusions we have discovered. Does that make us rather brilliant?...Perhaps, just a little less stupid than usual.

  While there are a number of ways of illustrating the different aspects of Nepal, today we continue with our way of looking at life through a pair of odd brains. Well, we suppose that's one way of expressing it. On second thoughts, this might be a good time to take a break from your screen. 

 Sarangkot Tower appears to be higher than Annapurna 1 (to left). We thought this to be true until we discovered the altitude of the Annapurna 1 is 26,700 feet whereas Sarangkot is about 5,500 feet...a mere 21,000 odd feet lower. Maybe it's idiotic rather than illusionary.
The illusion in this case is that these two do not know each other. We happen to be aware of their recent marriage. However, they had a disagreement, hence, the separation. However, the bond is tightly maintained as they remain committed to alignment or symmetry, even when asleep. Some consider this 'playing hard to get'.
The illusion in this instance is that the building on the right, Pokhara Eye, appears to be below that of Le Glamour on the left. In fact, it's about 800 feet higher. How do we know this? We walk frequently from the latter to the former on a steep incline the whole way.
The illusion is that this is a full moon. While some might see a perfect circle, what we are actually observing is something completely different...It's the sun.

Baby tiger attacks local man but is flattened by his pregnant belly. The tiger was fortunate that the man, Purna, is only 4-5 months gone.
Jenni rushes to aid of tiger and pacifies it. What's the illusion? 'Tiger' is spray-painted dog. First-class paint job though. Heck, this is Nepal.
Jen reckons she's climbed more than a million steps over the last 9 weeks. Might be illusionary, but I can relate to the feeling.
We were offered a wonderful apartment on this curve. While the upper-level units go for thousands, we would be charged rent of $50 per month only. What a bargain. The proviso is that lower level apartments are subject to risk of periodic flooding. Then again, they are dust-free.
After the incident (last blog of 'suck my hind teat'), Jen has made friends with this cheeky bunch. Had you been with us, you might have heard her greeting to this group: "Hiya, Peter, Paul and to you, too, Mary." Her show of hand was definitely a wave rather than defensive preparation for an attack...so she tells me.
In all humility, Jeffrey has been invited to join 'Blood, Sweat and Tears', the musical group of the late 60's (for our younger viewers), in a rendition in Pokhara of their song: 'Spinning Wheel'. As a very large crowd is expected, an additional ferris wheel has been installed in the lake. (Raincoats are advised.)
Jen spends more time in the jungle than in her apartment. Not true but close.
This is where the bull-dozer was invented.
Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

70.19 Nepal: Eclectic events from various hikes.

We have so many hikes which have not even touched the surface of the blog. In the meantime, we have published a few pictures which provide, we think, alternate perspectives of Nepal and its hiking/life opportunities. Should you not like what you read/view, please have it out with Jen.

There comes a time when a person should be frank or at least, e(a)rnest, take your pick. Nevertheless, one should always question 'For whom the bell tolls'?
Machapuchare, at nearly 23,000 feet, is elusive. Finally, we may have caught it 'in the frame'. Hopefully, this will lock the 'hill' into a more stable existence.
Here is my fair lady...had to get her to the church...correction...temple on time. Turns out we were the only people at temple...so much for the religiosity of the locals. We 'benched' on our own.
You color our world, you lift our spirits.
Look, son, but try not to stare. The bloke with the funny thing pointed at us is known as 'homo sapiens'. Just so you know, he is neither a homo nor wise. Please don't ask how they gave him the title, I just chew the cud. By the way, I'm not tied to any fixed opinion either way, but for a pole.
Don't you just hate it when one of those greenhorns tries to be funny. I mean, green auto...heck!
Jen warned me about being 'smart-mouthed'. When I told her how magnificent I thought this scene was, she roped me to one of the trees when I had my back to her. 

"You love it so much," she announced, "Perhaps you should spend some time absorbing it all." 

I really found this mystical, perhaps haunting, but beautiful. 

"Please release me, let me go, for I'm getting a 'humperdink' back."
We pass through Devi Falls and see this model. Jen thinks it's a more viable alternative to the Himalayas across the way.
"I can't see what's wrong with this place as a permanent home. Look at all the parking available. Not to mention the hot and cold water flowing from the roof. I believe the sellers have thrown in the scooter as an incentive. It's a helluva deal."
And you wanted to get away from an upside-down Western world.
I like to be believe I don't shock easily any longer. But when Jen tried to pat this calf, we both almost swear its reply sounded like "You can suck my hind teat". Phew! Typical modern day youth.
Not that this pose impresses one of us. I mean who doesn't like a narrow, curvy waist?
Jenni catches a nice shot of her husband at his temporary job. His culinary skills have proved to be superb. He remembers to sandwich the burger between the two buns...most times.
We still prefer a human server...perhaps waiter is a better description.
Finally, on vacation, I found my vocation.
This is a very misunderstood signboard. "Do not throw your garbage here" does not mean that a person may throw garbage where no sign exists. Nevertheless, that's the norm.
It's termed alternatives. First 'in-store service', followed by 'home deliveries' and now 'Jungle Service'. One can only wonder what will follow.
You continue to paint our surroundings, we thank you again.
Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

70.18 Nepal: An admissions conundrum.

Admissions conundrum: 2083: Can't we keep it simple?
  I spent much of the day pondering an issue. Fortunately, the day was very enjoyable, so I did not let the dilemma get to me...too badly. When we passed this information/advertising poster, it struck me as almost impossible to understand. Let me start at the beginning and try to get across the various issues. 

  Admissions to pre-school for 2083 mean that enrollment is now open, some 57 years into the future. I have heard of popular schools, but I believe this one really flatters itself. It means that for a person to register say a 3-4 year old kid, the planning of the birth of the child, (average age of 20 years for first-time parents), should take place in 41 years' time. (Conception and pregnancy say 1 plus 3 years for entry age.) As the parents-to-be, are not born as yet, and the grandparents to be might not be born either or are very young, it appears that the future great-grandparents need to enroll their future great-grandchildren. As to how many, their genders, names are anyone's guess when completing an enrollment application. After a while, I became further confused, even more frustrated and gave up thinking of it. I have to admit the Nepalese are far smarter than me. In fact, they live in a different dimension. 

  For this system to function, the existing applications should have been made for previous generations of unborn kids, in this case, the grandparents and parents of the children due in 57 years' time, many years earlier. If ever one could see the need for AI (artificial intelligence), this must be the occasion . Perhaps a reader might sympathize with my confusion and realize as strenuous as the hike was in places, it was nothing compared with the mental struggle and anguish suffered while pondering the ramifications of the process. 

  After the hike, I decided to raise the issue with Jen. She considered the issues I raised, tried to empathize with me and then came up with a rather simple and succinct answer. She expressed herself quite nicely by sharing my anguish but also, pointing out a small but easily missed point. 

  "Jeffrey, you probably forgot that while most of the world is currently in the year 2026 (Gregorian), the Nepalese are far ahead--their year is currently 2082 with the new year just 'around the corner'. Now big boy, do you have any other issues you require further elucidation? By the way, I know when I see you walking about on these mountains you feel like 129 (73 plus 56) years old, you're still relatively young.

Cheers,

Jenni and Jeffrey

I think I need a good sunrise and sunset to provide some comfort following a tough day in the Himalayas. 

Sunrise...
Sunset............I feel back in equilibrium, but still feeling my age.

70.17 Nepal: The numerous facets, represented by a scene each, of a hike from Lakeside, Pokhara to Kalabang Buddha Temple and Park.

We began at our apartment, quite a brilliant commencement point, headed through parts of the city as we made our way toward the jungle. We arrived forty minutes later and spent nearly an hour climbing through this, calm and beautiful, area.
After close on 2 hours, we reach Shanti Stupa and walk through the beautiful gardens. At the time, we continue to gaze at the fabulous Annapurna range while taking in the lovely flora...sort of 'two for the effort of one'.
The night is spent at Anil's Mountain View Cafe (guesthouse) above Fewa Lake and below the mountains. It sits adjacent to Shanti Stupa, both at night-and-day.
Below is Fewa Lake and part of Pokhara, not too bad a sight. (Temple sits on the island below).
The following morning, we head to Shiva Temple. That night, we note that the lord never sleeps. He continues to sit and lord over the surroundings.
We are woken by this sight. Sometimes we would like the sun to rise later so we can sleep longer...huh? (It was in the last blog when we mentioned the wise quote from XX: "When you've seen one mountain, you've seen them all." Subsitute 'sunrise' for mountain).
We are on the way to Shiva Temple, enroute to Kalabang, when a strange woman waves to me. I act cool as if this is the norm (although it's never occurred before) and decide to wait to find out what she wants. In the distance (hazy) is Shanti Temple (right).
We arrive at Shiva, enter through the front and take a look at his back. We notice the elephant human (Ganesh) circling the lord. There's an awful lot going on which reflects upon cultural beliefs. We take this all in but are focused on what lies ahead as we seek a new Buddha icon somehere in the distance.
Heading toward Kalabang and the Buddha icon/temple/park. We are not able to make out what the area in front of the icon is yet. Currently going through construction works and the we'll reach the ridge upon the mountain and hike along it.
Jen on the ridge with Annapurna to the side. The ridge is a delightful hike.
Getting much closer...making more sense of the features.
The last 'mile' or should that read 'yard'?
Welcome, Jen...enjoy the breakfast rest.
Love the mountain setting.
An invasion hits the sky outside of Pokhara turning it into a massive aviary.
I think we could live up here.
Returning, perhaps a little (lot) tired but content, excited and realizing the 'grass is always greener on the other side'.
Big, beautiful and stunning mountains; golden flora to salute them.
  We close another beautiful two days being grateful and uplifted after enjoying many varied experiences. Perhaps the most amusing aspect occurred when we left the Buddha Temple and asked an elderly guy whether a particular route would take us to Shiva Temple. He took a look at Jenni and in a very decent and tactful manner indicated 'no'. I replied that she was a very strong and capable woman. He withdrew his opinion and gave us brief directions. It turns out that we had used part of the route the previous year when we visited the Pokhara Heights Resort. 

  I held back, in the interests of saving grace (and face), in not saying that he should have been more aware that I (Jeffrey) am the weaker hiker. Well, got away with it that time. 

Pokhara Heights Resort. We see this building from many different places throughout Pokhara...quite amazing the length of visibility. It sits on one of the high peaks.
Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

One tough (tired) girl...one very special woman.

  While I have a pen in my hand, I'll complete the blog with a story which made me smile during the early stages of this trip. We hike to Methlang frequently. The path takes us through a jungle, followed by walking in the villages, a few climbs here-and-there, in addition to the steep incline of the whole route. We stop at the restaurant at the peak for a light breakfast each time—it's a tradition as well as an opportunity to connect with the employees. By the way, it's always a good experience...actually wonderful. 

  The procedure upon arrival is to pay 100 Rupees per person for access, which is then deducted from the invoice. It's obviously to limit the free-riders from this wonderful position that's quite high. It also offers swings and various narrow bridges to cross. After our frequent visits, the gate-guard announced that as we were' family' we would no longer be charged the entry deposit. 

  The other day, I entered ahead of Jen, said 'hello' to the guard and then proceeded upwards. Immediately behind me, an Indian family followed, the young woman dressed for ballroom dancing. I could not help notice that when the guard stopped her and asked for the entry deposit, she blatantly pointed toward me and intimated "How come that white-faced-snot-nosed foreigner did not have to pay? Do you know who I am?" What I did hear from the guard, music to my ears, was: "He's family." 

Her face was not placated...in fact, a lot worse.