Lazarow World-Hike-About: 58.12 Nepal: Trekking, Mardi Himal versus hiking in Pokhara, both wonderful but they do differ.

A scene on Mardi Himal, one evening.

From the top, we come across an icon that prefers being close to the city. Better to watch over the masses.

A favorite as we try a view through the trees...we think it worked.

Protecting her youngster from the camera in the wilds.

Typical city slickers, careless, selfish, invulnerable and living dangerously. At least they chose an authorized crossing.

Incredible views: Fishtail again, a world favorite.

Getting up high with an eye on Pokhara. It's not often we get excited overlooking a city but the views proved to be spectacular.

Another view of the sprawling city.

It's a struggle in the wilderness.

Himalayan Vulture visits the city and takes it easy.

A person can take a cup of coffee in the wilderness in peace...what wilderness? This is New Deurali Lodge on the Mardi Himal trek. A wonderful beginning to the final day.

Jen arrives at the 'supermarket' in the wilds.

Back in the city, the supermarkets from the USA are encroaching.

In the city, conflict, politics and destruction...now encroaching on the sports fields. Unfortunately, mystery abounds as to why the grass on the field does not grow.

After returning partly from a stiff and rugged climb we came across a group of soccer players. It was the closing stages of the game and we could feel an abundance of tension. There was an awful amount of bleating, jumping about and a general disregard for the rules. Frankly, it seemed a riot was imminent. One of the locals informed us that the 'Burmese Browns' were facing up to the local team, the 'Nepalese Whites'. With minutes to go, the score was tied at 2 apiece.

Jen remarked that she did not understand the game that well, but it did appear the players were fixated on each other rather than the ball. The referee looked frustrated but until one of the spectators saw our confusion, we were at a loss to comprehend the situation After all, it was only game for kids.

He explained, “Lately, games between the ‘Browns’ and the ‘Whites’ have become racked with tension. The match cannot get going because the Browns scream ‘racist’ every time the ‘Whites’ make a tackle. This annoys the ‘Whites’ and it seems their tackles become a little rougher thereafter. Once the 'Nepalese Whites' score, the 'Browns' invariably scream ‘offside’ at the referee. Should the ref. be a White guy, they add in ‘See: there’s that white privilege surfacing again’. I mean, they're only kids. It really gets my goat. It’s ruining the game. I’m thinking of giving up on them, but I do love watching soccer. As a kid, every day after school should it not have snowed, all our buddies would meet and we would play until dark. My mom had to herd us back home thereafter—we used to refer to her as our caring shepherd. 'Those were the days, my friend, we thought they'd never end,'” he concluded.

After a pause, he resumed his tirade, "I fear for these kids. They are mere pawns in the bigger scheme of things, I kid you not," he added sheepishly.

"Hey, that reminds me of a book I just read by a guy, name of Lazarow, not a bad read."

"Political?"

"Nah, crime...kidnapping." (click) KID ME NOT

"At least that makes a change."

Another elderly fellow sitting two seats away from him shaking his head interjected. “I know not where this is heading but I do know it’s not a good place. Remember the Roman Empire?”

His buddy replied, “Man, that collapsed and disappeared a long time ago. What of it?”

“My point exactly!”

The referee leads the young players off the field. Game abandoned after a few kids make colorful comments learned from their elders.

A place of serenity but also, reality. Absorbing the atmosphere with its multi-faceted attributes while rejecting the issues that make no sense.

Another place of serenity and tranquility, many thousands of feet above the water.

Jenni sits, but does not sing in the rain, after a city hike.

The ultimate system of recycling. Said recycler visits the trash can, consumes contents, converts to liquid and then washes down patio and/or sprinkles the grass and plants.

Jen loves boats of many colors. On the morrow, we'll row across the lake, climb to the Shanti Stupa (temple) and then head higher for the Shiva Temple...should be quite a religious ordeal.

We recently mentioned briefly how quickly one can settle into a foreign environment, a place with a very different culture compared with typical places we have lived permanently or mostly, from birth. We have learned much as we have aged and even more as we have undergone experiences along the way. Practical examples are real, theoretical situations are only a beginning but meaningless until put into effect. We do have some thoughts on the matter which follow. While they may be controversial, although we think they amount to common sense, some understanding and yes, the concept of ‘Love thy Neighbor’ plays an important role.

Before continuing along this path, we make the point that we have found ourselves feeling comfortable in many environments which cover some nearly 40 countries and local states over the recent past. We would never have believed this had we not had our own proof. Effectively, it seems almost without exception, wherever we have positioned ourselves, we have enjoyed comfort and excitement. We use examples of stays ranging in periods of a few weeks to a couple of months. We acknowledge our stays are not permanent and long-term, but neverthless, have proved that living amongst the locals in their neighborhoods has given us both a sense of belonging and joy. (We avoid hotels and cities.) We promise you this: Their ways, mannerism and language are always different from ours. Thus, they may differ but it's immaterial—it adds to the experience.

Recently in Nepal, after being with a person for a reasonable period, off and on, he began introducing us to his friends as another mother and father. He insisted we return with him to spend time with his family. Regarding another issue, after staying in an apartment, we renewed our short lease on two occasions. Circumstances dictated that we required a third renewal. The landlord asked us what we wanted to pay. We argued it was his call. He told us he could not negotiate with people who are like his parents. We should have stayed at 'no charge'. It ended up with both being 'dissatisfied'. We thought we paid too little and he believed we paid too much. To top that, the nicest moment occurred when we hugged each other at the conclusion of negotiations.

The 'worst' occurred the other day. I was ahead of Jenni as we passed through a village at the peak of a city mountain. Sitting on the side of the path was a man who appeared to be cutting grass. I greeted him. Later when Jen reached my position, she asked me whether I had spoken to the guy. Apparently, she had. He had asked her if the man ahead ‘was her father’. I now realize I might feel youngish, at times, but my body and face are revealing a very different narrative.

Back to the issues. Briefly, it strikes us that we grew up in a type of vacuum. Further, when you bring in nationalistic views and propaganda, local customs, religious laws and customs, traditions, and government influenced education, to list a few concepts, a person becomes conditioned to believe ‘our way’ is the correct ideal for living, or the best way or in the extreme, the only way to live. With rigid attitudes, it’s no wonder we are inclined to be suspicious of other nations, cultures and people who appear different from ourselves.

We make one extremely important and vital proviso which is not negotiable. Solid values which derive from the Bible, as opposed to rituals, are cast in stone. They are essential both for the individual to follow and the states to support. Basically, without these commandments which derive, we believe, from outside the human mind are the foundation of the world. (Don’t murder, nor steal, lie, covet, or be adulterous, but honor, respect, love, be humble, etc.) They are at least a good start to keep humans in check and we don’t believe one has to be religious or have affiliation to subscribe to them.

Man has a thirst for power and control. It seems that by splitting people into smaller groups, it allows those who rise as leaders, an opportunity to control rather than lead. Of course, the way to form groups is to create differences, whether artificial or real. The more differences, actual or imaginary, the easier it is to enable people to identify with others who are similar. We seem to have a tendency to seek familiarity which provides comfort, lessens risk and makes us feel part of a community. The more the other groups appear different, the better we may feel having chosen a community that is comfortable, supportive and an apparent natural place to root ourselves and family.

I remember asking a religious leader about the concept of ‘Love Thy Neighbor’. Based upon my understanding of the commandment, it seemed clear that one’s neighbor’s religious affiliation was immaterial to the commandment. More importantly, a neighbor’s respect for the commandments, his/her basic values, moral character and decency should be far more important criteria upon which to base one’s love or at least respect. He could not agree. Rather, he relied upon the neighbor’s religion as the primary criterion.

It’s far easier for people seeking leadership positions to splinter groups and to form smaller communities over which they have power than to oust an existing leader, particularly in religious groups, clubs, sects, etc. By promoting differences, actual or perceived, a leader is able to offer new opportunities to those people and begin a leadership role which otherwise might not be possible.

So, when we walk down the street in Pokhara, Nepal, or Devon, Bulgaria and wave to the storeowner and staff, we feel comfortable. When they invite us in and offer a drink, it’s our pleasure to make our purchases therein, drink or not. When a Greek woman, who operates a restaurant in the town of Gymno or Yimno (Island of Evia) finds out we are lost, what can you say about her differences after she orders a patron sitting at a table eating to get off his chair, fetch his vehicle and lead these two (dumb) strangers to their destination? Talk about ‘Loving thy stranger’.

We acknowledge the many strangers who have acted toward us in a loving manner. We are ever so humbled but always deeply appreciative. You make the world a better place, another reason for it to exist.

This young woman operates a dairy. She gave us a present of prized national vegetable roots.