My Journey To Nepal

Namaste!

 My journey to Nepal began in 1974, when the Bhairab Dance Ensemble from Kathmandu visited my hometown on their European tour. One of the dancers lived in my parents' house during that time. With wide eyes I admired her clothes, her beautiful hair and her special way of moving through our house. A little magic emanated from her, and I wished very much to be able to travel to her home country someday. It then took 48 years until I realized this dream.

 At the end of September 2022, the plane took off from Frankfurt to take me to Kathamndu via Delhi and I was excited and nervous at the same time. At the airport in Kathmandu, Tej Panta, my guide who accompanied me throughout the five weeks of my time in Nepal, was waiting for me. He would take me to Kathmandu, on the Annapurna Circuit, where we unfortunately had to stop just before Manang due to very bad weather, to Pokhara, Bhaktapur, and at the end of my trip to a wonderful trek in the Kathmandu Valley with Khadga, Tej's father.

At the beginning of my journey, my trekking on the Annapurna Circuit took me through different vegetation zones and incomparable landscapes: from lush valleys with terraced fields where rice is cultivated, to alpine mountain meadows, to high alpine mountain regions dominated by stone. The roads in remote mountain regions are hardly paved and developed. Landslides can occur from time to time. Due to the bad weather conditions, our route was so badly muddy and blocked by landslides that the way back was very difficult. However, I always felt safe in Tej's company. He exudes a trustworthiness that is difficult to put into words.

We visited Buddhist stupas, temples, and other Hindu holy sites in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Pokhara and the Kathmandu Valley. Tej tried to answer every question I had about the culture and the way of life. There is a seemingly wild and chaotic confusion in the cities, where people and animals move freely among bicycles, tuk-tuks, rickshaws and cars, ignoring the rules of the road. Even when traffic comes to a standstill, everyone remains calm.

I learned in the weeks to abandon myself to the natural flow on the one hand, and on the other hand to remain focused and agile while doing so. Special magic emanates from Nepal. I had never met more patient, humble, and warm people. My mind and body adapted to the rhythm of the country - I became calmer, more relaxed and had confidence in the people and their way of coping with life.

It was an incredibly moving and good time and this was largely due to Tej Panta, my very experienced mountain guide, who accompanied me safely and conscientiously during these special weeks. He always took care of everything that was necessary and feasible. I will fly to Nepal again next year. Of this I am certain.

Sabine Rößer

Germany