'High on a Hill'. On a hike a few days later on the way past Shanti Stupa, we spot the target temple (off center-right) of the current hike. We enjoy gaining perspective and spotting the various sights from different sites.
Jen arrives at the temple under repair. Does that mean the locals have a 'break' in their prayers or from prayers?
Whenever I spot Jenni, she's either going up or down. A life filled with 'ups-and-downs'.
'Isn't that what I was saying (writing)?'
We
left the
apartment, heading for an experimental hike, which landed us at a small temple
under repair. The beauty about being religious in this country is that one can
combine spiritual or religious well-being with good physical care and
activities. Why do we mention this? Most of the temples we come across outside
the center of cities are on mountain peaks or ridges. Effectively, it’s a way
of combining these two activities to form an all-round complete person, taking
care of body and mind. However, we would suggest it might be a good idea to
travel with a change of clothing and commence the day with a solid sprinkling
of deodorant placed strategically. Far be it for me to suggest your potential
offensive positions. While
writing this text, it got me thinking of something one notices from
time-to-time. There are, strangely enough, people who have a tendency for
social self-promotion. Yes, it’s possible. You may have heard or seen someone
telling others how successful they are, how much material wealth they possess,
which country club they belong to, which president they travel with to
exclusive islands, etc. You know, that kind of thing. Of course, we’re not
envious as we have 'homes' in many countries, we modestly and humbly admit, although
we own none, not even a postal box. Okay, forget the last part. I’m thinking that for the real energetic
show-off, how about this: ‘I belong to the Great Synagogue, or the St Paul’s
Cathedral or the Church next to the Capitol’…you get the drift. A new breed of
more physical specimens might say my temple is situate at 3,500 feet elevation
gain. Other might counter ‘that’s nothing, I have to paddle a kayak to cross a
lake and then jog a couple of thousand feet to reach MY temple, and that’s just
for the morning service. The more religious might do that more than once per
day.
It
was not my intention to follow that route, (the kayak and run), but I
did get bogged down in the high on the hill places of worship. This idea of
height, I think, arose in earlier ages when it was thought that ‘if the
mountain won’t come to Mohammed, then Mohammed would have to go to the
mountain’. And thus, the idea of building temples on mountains arose, perhaps
being closer to heaven as well as far more peaceful environs. I could be wrong
but that’s my understanding or interpretation. Of course, I have been known to
err although I forget when.
Talking of mountains, the Himalayan Range passes
through Nepal. Now even for those not easily impressed, these mountains are
really high. In fact, the range is the highest in the world comprising all the
‘big ones’. Contrary to modern wisdom about mountains, funnily enough, they do
have some human characteristics. Would you believe that? Perhaps the laziest
mountain in the world, which I’m told is also the world’s highest, is right
here in Nepal. Originally named Peak XV, it’s now known as Mount Everest.
(Imagine not being able to provide a name). As for it’s a human trait: Its name
gives you an indication of its lazy nature. ‘Ever rest’…need I say more.
In
today’s world, there is a dominant concept of sensitivity.
Effectively, one should not say or do anything that might offend anyone, no
matter how poor their behavior. However, there is a proviso: The rule of not
offending does not apply to people with whom you disagree. Then of course, it’s
perfectly natural, even encouraged, to be offensive. So, we mentioned Mohammed
earlier but perhaps, being in Nepal, we should have substituted Buddha. Maybe
next time. What about Moses? He also did some mountaineering in his day. In fact,
he took it quite seriously. He went up high into the clouds on his own for a
meeting with G-d. However, he stayed away from the people, his flock, for a
period much longer than expected. They became agitated and began looking
elsewhere for guidance.
Eventually, Moses
returned but this time weighted down by heavy slabs of stone inscribed with the
‘Ten Commandments’, a much heavier burden in and of itself. It is said that
when he saw the behavior of the people, something akin to an Olympic
Games Opening Ceremony, he became agitated and threw the stones at the
idols. Another school of thought suggests that Moses was not as fit as he
thought. After many days on the mountains, he no longer had the energy and
dropped the tablets. The people of selective sensitivity, who make their own
rules, took umbrage with these commandments. To this day, they have never
forgiven Moses for imposing a set of universal values derived from outside the
planet on the inhabitants of the world. ‘What a chutzpah’, they exclaimed. Who
gave you the right to tell us how to behave? We’ll do whatever we decide. After
all, we live here, and know it all.
As
I was writing, before being distracted by myself, we headed for the
hiking commencement point by walking about a mile and then jumping on a bus.
We’re usually quite excited about taking a local bus for short distances.
Besides loving the hiking, we get a kick out of testing our skills on the bus,
failing at times in reaching the destination, but having a good time. We’ve
mentioned the entertainment value of the conductors’ behavior before. Actually,
during the last two rides, the bus personnel contradicted everything we have
mentioned about the relaxed manner of drivers. These two guys were dangerously
aggressive as they appeared to be doing battle on the roads. We suppose there
are exceptions. As we had related, people do whatever they wish while driving
which could mean anything but following the unpublished rules. However, it
seems nobody takes offence until people reacted to these drivers. Then it
became a tooting, cutting across traffic haphazardly happening. As an aside,
please remember on your first visit to the country, when you approach a ‘zebra
crossing’ on foot, see it rather as a target a driver will aim for to get past
you before you reach the other side of the road. Should you heed our warning,
you have a chance of returning home safely.
Recently, for
reasons unknown, a couple of conductors have approached us and offered us tips
of places to visit, things do as well as soliciting our opinions on various
subjects. It's perhaps indicative how boring the function must be. The other
day, we alighted from the bus with the gift of a chili pepper. Should we be
suspicious characters, we might suspect there's a conspiracy to get rid of us.
I suppose that's understandable.
The
other aspect that was also most enjoyable on our way from the bus to
the hike is watching the young school kids walking along the roads to bus stops
or directly to class. We omit those older than say, eleven...for reasons of
lacking cuteness. The little ones are so cute and adorable, faces expressive,
with strides bouncing them along while mom, dad or older sibling guide them.
Many have backpacks wider than their bodies and look heavier, too. It truly is
an uplifting time.
And
then the climb begins and a whole new experience occurs.
Two families on the way to school. The mothers were a little wary of us. (Maybe Jen is really intimidating).
Focus young lady!
Contrary to popular belief, "How Green was my Valley" was written in Nepal, not Wales, by Richard Llewellyn in collaboration with Sir Edmund Hillary. We are now convinced that the idiom 'The grass is always greener on the other side' is, in fact, true.
Jenni and Jeffrey
In the vicinity, Devi Falls.
And always, the BIG Mountains.
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