What do you expect from the rest?

Comment on Himalayan expedition "To the heart of Annapurna" in November 2011.
What do you expect from the rest? From a long-awaited vacation? Personally I'm waiting for impressions, and as much as possible! Before the trip I will never learn the country where the fly, preferring to learn everything already in place. And then, finally, flew to Nepal ...! We could not imagine how there would be, and where we fall. And indeed, this we did not expect was a lot of impressions, as we were in another world .... The first thing that has put us in shock - it is the capital of Nepal, Kathmandu. About 10 million people, the lack of subways, no skyscrapers, dirt, dilapidation, no traffic, monkeys, sacred cows, the crowd of children and the many temples
Many residents have no electricity, many holes in the walls, and yet the Nepalese themselves are not too worried. At home hang colorful flags, bright and beautiful girl dressed to grow colorful flowers, and smoke marijuana, and no nothing is going through.
Very spicy and spicy food, colorful buses bright, rich smell of incense - a lot of little things stand out against the backdrop of a "total devastation", sometimes even too much.
Local people's lives is completely subordinated to religious laws. Most of the Nepalese preach Hinduism, the others - Buddhism. Nepal - the only country in Asia, where the pagoda - a Hindu temple, not Buddhism.
So far, so interesting. From the city we find ourselves in the jungle. These are green, bright, vibrant jungle. They are found deer, monkeys, land leeches, and God knows who else. Mouthwatering smell of wet Nepalese forests will remain forever in our hearts.
In the jungle there are settlements. For residents of the tourists are favorable, as we bring them a good income. Almost every village you can find a roof over their heads and food. Not stay hungry, even in spite of the fact that 90% of Nepalese vegetarians. A variety of vegetable dishes, rice, potatoes, eggs will not leave you indifferent. But everything has its price. The higher the mountain, the more expensive. This is especially true of clean water.
Through the jungle trails, except for the people and mules there will be no one, so delivery of food and things going on with the help of specially trained people - porters. With the bandages are tied load (20-40 kg) on ​​his head and dragged him from village to village. Along the roads are decorated with Buddhist flags with prayers. Buddhists believe that fluttering in the wind, prayer flags to read and gain strength. Also, it eliminates many of the prayers by rote learning, with the same purpose, the Buddhists worship there, and drums. Turned the drum - prayed.
The closer to the goal, the colder. The air becomes drier, the fog dissipates, the jungle remain in the valleys, and level with each new rise steeper. Especially for the rest, all the way built of stone ledges, where porters can leave their luggage, and tourists - backpacks. Yet with every meter legs hurt all the more, and the amount of air is slowly declining. But we confidently approach the goal. And our efforts bring results soon, we see a piece of where we go. We see - mountains.
However, at the foot of first conquered eightthousanders (g.Annapurna 8091 m), even a single day's journey. We climb higher and higher. Of wet weather becomes hot and uncomfortable. Everyone is starting to besmear oneself sunscreen and wear sunglasses. Day temperature is 25 at night - 10 C.
The higher you climb, the worse living conditions and nutrition: only cold water, expensive food, lack of heating and other amenities. But you firmly believe that it is worth it. And finally, there comes a day when you do the last jump, and climb to base camp. What you see around, suggests that you are ready to have a million times to rise above, if only to see it all.
Looking at the mountains, you know, that man will never be the "king" of nature. The mountains grand, magnificent, and ascended. The highest point on which we traveled was 4400 m and above us were giants, almost covering the entire sky. g.Annapurna - 8091 m, the Annapurna South - 7219 m, g.Machapuchare (the sacred mountain, forbidden to conquer, also known as the «Fish Tail») - 6997 meters, etc.
Did not want to come back, but time was running out, it was time to leave. Descending into the valley, we found another small miracle Himalayas - the hot springs. We splashed like children, rejoicing in the presence of warm water, and next to us were basking on the rocks cute monkey.
Nepal's natural beauty is astounding. There is so much that your eyes run, and do not know where to look, so do not miss it. And not only nature but also animals. Remarkably, pets (chickens, goats, sheep, cats, mules, etc.) did not fear the people, they can be ironed, they can be played.
At the end of our trip, we went to the Buddhist and Hindu temples. The biggest impression, of course, left the temple of Pashupatinath (Hindu Temple). Nepalis believe that human life is fleeting, that it is only a step toward a better life, which comes after death. Therefore, the material side of life does not matter. The main thing - spiritual enlightenment. And then in the next life you can be reborn in one of the five sacred animal (dog, cow, snake, monkey or deer). To do this, you should not pay attention to the lack of amenities of life, and at least should be burnt on the banks of the river that runs through the territory of the church.
Since this is a great honor, here before going to the people and take part in the cremation. Since most of the time people there give themselves to prayer, the whole territory of the church filled with incense smoke and fires.
Within the temple Satkha live (saints), who all his life devoted to Hinduism. They pray for everyone, smoke grass, and is considered one of the most important people in the church. After visiting the holy places were bad experiences, maybe if there was no smell, everything is a lot easier, but .... The following temples are Buddhist, and there breathed a sigh easier. There were no fires, mud, and emaciated old people. Buddhists greeted us with freshness and stunning singing. Leaving Nepal, you realize you never will accept their lifestyle, their way of thinking. At the same time, eager to get back here, at least to eat extremely spicy rice, and look once more at the top of the unconquered dvuhkonechnuyu Machapuchare sacred mountain. Anna Padutova, Belarus.