Nepali Time

There is a difference. To say, “I have arrived,” is not the same as, “I am present.” To be present is to submit, to let go of the past and not question the future.

The mountains, wreathed in clouds, revealed their grandeur at dawn. The high peaks were not visible at all the night before, but one could feel their presence. Last night, she saw only the foothills, and this morning, the mystic, majestic mountains, some of the highest in the world. Then, nothing. The ceilings dropped, heavy with rain. There was no way to know you were on a mountain, yet you knew.

Hotel Mountain View had 42 beds, but the last night, tourists filled just three. The spring’s earthquake and the fuel challenges with India seemed to deter most tourists. As she listened to the rain on the tin roof, she gave thanks the media had not discouraged her from such a sanctuary. Even in her current state, the rain sounded much worse inside, with the wetness visible on the bamboo weave of the ceiling’s interior. She needed only to step outside from the blue tin roof, to realize how gentle the rain fell and to be reminded it is only water. 

-Excerpt from the first draft of Never Always, a novel by Christine.     

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​It was like Christmas morning, awaking at sunrise at ABC to a dusting of snow and the gift of clear skies at 4130m after sleeping in the dining room with two friends who were strangers just two days ago.

A moment's rest, enjoying the colors of the Annapurna Sanctuary

​Kumar came to see the blonde taking their traditional dish, then taught her how to eat it - mix everything together!

​Time is relative. Once on the main trail to Annapurna Base Camp, each village has a map noting distances in hours. But in each village, the times between A and B are often not the same. This is Nepali time. One village may say it take 1 hour 30 minutes to get between A and B while another says 2 hours between the same two points. It is all relative, so just relax. Sleep when you are tired, eat when you are hungry, and wake up when the roosters crow. Or don't. That's okay too. 

​The rice terraces appeared like lines of music, feeding the chorus to her solo journey. 

​This young girl watches trekkers depart from the Himalayas. What does she see? 

​Walking home from the temple, she saw a goat standing in the rear of a hatchback, perhaps ready for slaughter. That image was redeemed by a young girl flying a kite on the rooftop with her father. Then all the children were flying kites, dancing in the sunset. She stood still to watch the boys play and helped free one kite from a prickly bush. She pricked her own finger. The kite was delicate and she was afraid to rip it. The children showed when to be gentle and when it was okay to hurt a little. She learned some of what they did not need, as simple play brought great laughter.

She found the kite maker!

In October 2015, Christine traveled to Nepal. She flew into Kathmandu and spent a night there before continuing to Pokhara and then to Annapurna Base Camp. She spent six days on a round-trip trek to ABC before returning to Pokhara, then Kathmandu, and finally back to the U.S, 

Angel and Christine intend to travel to Nepal, together, in the spring of 2018, to conquer Everest Base Camp.

Let us help you plan your travels to Nepal! Contact us for more information. ​

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