70.06 Nepal: Mattikan (partial): Our journey of a third hike using differing routes each time, and an introduction to some local culture.

A section of Pokhara after reaching somewhat less than 2,000 feet of elevation gain.
The entrepreneurs don't appear to have an edge in product or location.
  In a typical local hike, many we keep on discovering, and others we enjoy so much that we repeat often, we will walk from our apartment and head in the direction of the trailhead. This shows clear thinking because after all, should we go elsewhere, we would not arrive at the correct starting point. Having clarified our thinking, we should also make it clear that even when on the long treks, much of the time is spent hiking between towns, villages, farms and many shacks, always tiny stores and probably undiscovered residences. (Obviously, when walking in the high mountains at the higher altitudes, it becomes formal hiking/climbing.)    

  One of the beauties of being in this country is that one is always on a hike when you are just outside the cities and towns and even when you cut across open spaces and jungles within a town. It is the nature of the country that people without much money have to walk to reach places they seek. It's extremely refreshing, conceptually thinking, should one wish to capture the essence of the earlier days of humanity. It is also awfully tiring, sweaty and somewhat dirty arriving at a wedding ceremony after a ten-mile hike. Fortunately, we have never been invited to a ceremony, but our purpose is to walk and hike to all destinations. (Actually, we have been invited to stay at peoples' homes...but we are too shy for that sort of familiarity.)  We do use taxis and buses for the long-distance trailheads and at times, of course, an airplane to reach country destinations. 

 We cut through a tiny village as we return on an unfinished road/path or abandoned project.
Engage with kids on break.
Jen does what she undertakes each day: Climbs steps, paths and other obstacles. Position reached after crossing bridge below.
What's new?
Jen will tell you that what she finds so attractive during a typical hike is that she considers an outing becomes an added experience when one concludes the outgoing leg by arriving at a wonderful destination view (obviously), but in addition, there will be a restaurant (mostly very basic at times), a small temple, some homes or an activity taking place. Basically, a place to have tea/coffee and at times, a meal instead of what we normally carry in our backpacks, people with which to converse, or gain an experience of seeing life in a very different place. We have met many people in those circumstances and have developed relationships at different levels. Funnily enough, some of them have become deeper than we could ever envisage.    

  Suffice to say, when we leave the apartment, whatever our moods, within minutes a feeling overcomes us as if entering another realm. Make no mistake, the city is bustling, the noise level is high, the garbage control could be a lot better, the traffic can be chaotic and yet we meld into it and deal with crossing roads and walking the pavements amongst the chaos with ease and from our point-of-view, naturally. While we obviously stand-out as foreigners, from our perspective, we feel we're locals. Go Figure! We observe while moving quickly the children catching busses to school, parents waving goodbye, the frenetic action on the scooters and cars as people make their way to destinations. There are beggars collecting, old people watching the world pass, shopkeepers seeking customers, to mention just few observations.  

  However, the real action, the unexplained feelings we experience and enjoy immensely occur once we enter the forests, jungles and the outlying villages. The noise level drops and often ceases as we find ourselves on our own, the surroundings are natural, beautiful, serene and unique. The land is not all pristine. Where people undertake construction activities, it's often a negative until it is completed properly. The latter description (properly/neatly) is not a common occurence, unfortunately. Continuing on a hike once again, we seem to enter a different space, an enhanced calmness which is only broken when the very occasional hiker crosses paths or when the locals are performing some tasks in the forests such as collecting timber, leaves or whatever else they require. Strangely, the hiker's dream, Nepal, is very quiet. The action seems to be on the main hikes, the Everest Base camp, The Annapurna, etc. We love remaining on our own.  

A different view of the always stunning Machapuchare Mountain.
This naughty kid is about to be placed in the basket to 'cool off'.
Jen really faces a tough set of steps.
Well worth it as she reaches an interim destination where we partake of tea-and-coffee before heading further up.
As we return from the top, Jen gives a relief salute.
Continues after the bridge to climb again.

  We are confronted with beautiful sights, amazing forests/jungles, chirping birds, domesticated animals in many forms of behavior, views of low and high mountains, sometimes lakes below, and above all, overcome by a feeling of 'we are all alone in a beautiful place'. While we struggle and sweat to reach our destinations (and return), our minds, our souls don't struggle but rather, seek the tranquility, the sights, the calmness, effectively, making it an experience of regeneration. It's as if the physival labor, as taxing as it may be, gives the mind time off to enjoy some peace. Upon breaking through the forest boundary, we enter a new environment which may comprise civilized influence at which time a cup of tea/coffee becomes a reward while we rest and absorb the sites/sights at/from the summit. Along the route, greetings with the villagers take place regularly, including standard questioning as to home country, feelings toward Nepal and occasionally, 'give us some money'.  

  Frankly, it's all difficult to explain because how does one impart such feelings. Many a time, we will lose temporarily a sense of time and place. We occasionally need to pinch ourselves to bring us back to Earth. However, as we often say, the next day is a new beginning and one has to commence over to recapture the upliftment again...exactly as it should be. While we mentioned these feelings a couple of weeks ago, it should always be borne in mind that life is one challenge after another. While these magnificent moments are only earned through effort (and never guaranteed), there are continuous challenges throughout life, no matter where a person finds oneself. 

  Anyway, enough with the text; let's conclude with some local flavor pictorially.

We've seen this fella previously; notice it gives us the eye while mom looks on.
Earlier, we came across this couple; not Jen's idea of fun facing a buffalo.
Some perspective with Annapurna rear, Shanti Stupa fore (left) and on extreme right, next mountain range, the Sarangkot Mountain and Tower, a recent hike undertaken. 

Pokhara from height. Dense, crowded, noisy and without skyscrapers. For height, they resort to the mountains and build upon them, gaining an immediate advantage. Fortunately, we stay near the lake where it is very pleasant. On a daring day, Jen likes to walk the high-wire provided there is little or no wind, of course.
 

 Cheers, 

 'Yo Danda' and Jeffrey