My trip to the Himalayas

A long time ago, back in a past life - back in 2010, I decided that my existence was empty and monotonous and that this could not continue. I never did anything truly worthwhile or interesting, but simply went with the flow, dreaming of alien goals and values ​​imposed by the box and society. As a result, I hit a wall and decided that this was the best moment to change my life once and for all))). I decided to change everything - from my appearance, nutrition, weight and character, to my lifestyle, social circle and hobbies.

So about hobbies - I always wanted to travel, but for some reason I constantly put it off until later, finding more and more new reasons. And now was the time to do it...

I was looking for something where I could go alone, without friends, and decided to start with a simple hiking trip around Crimea. I spent days smoking the Internet - absorbing gigabytes of information, while simultaneously purchasing the appropriate equipment. In short, I never went on a hiking trip, but I did go to Crimea))) - here is the report.

As a result, my endless searches led to the fact that I chose the most, in my opinion, interesting and inexpensive route and in October 2011 I went to the Himalayas))))))))))

Let's go)))

I got to Kyiv alone... Well, in general it’s not interesting)) At the Boryspil airport, a strange-looking man approached me and offered me a taxi to Kathmandu)) - I naturally sent him, but it turned out that it was Denis from our group who was trying to figure out the others by the external signs)))

We flew to Sharjah successfully, and there an extreme overnight stay on the floor under air conditioning awaited us)))

And then there was another 4.5 hour flight to the capital of alternative extreme sports - Kathmandu)))) In general, the Himalayas surprised me on the plane. For more than 9 hours of flight, I got used to the fact that everything in the world is UNDER us. Seas, cities, clouds, the Caucasus - everything is below. So the Himalayas were on the side - They were stupidly flying along the fence!!!!!!)))))))

But from such views, even when approaching Kathmandu, something changed in me, with sound, and it seems that forever)))))

We landed safely, got a visa, climbed into our bus and went to look for a place to stay for the night))) I don’t really remember what happened next, because I was in incredible euphoria from the vinaigrette of a specific smell, endless signals from drivers, heaps of overhanging wires, advertising, cars, houses.... In general, you had to see it)))

We spent the whole day arguing about whether they drive on the left or on the right. In reality, everyone drives there the way they need to and at the same time EVERYONE honks all the time, as if warning that they are coming))))))))))) The one who was first scared gives way))))))) I especially liked riding in a local taxi, in the front seat, which is only two or two and a half meters long, including the hood))) - that was extreme))))) In general, I fell in love with Kathmandu and their traffic rules!!!!!

While we were checking in, Nina caught a local Budulai passing by)))

The next day we went to Pokhara. The road mostly went along a steep mountain slope, there were a lot of bends in the road and the driver constantly honked his horn to attract attention - this is their way of preventing accidents))). We were lucky that we fit entirely into the bus, otherwise we would have had to ride on the roof)))

sometimes we stopped to have a bite to eat and at the same time admire the local vegetation.

Each bus has a regular parking sensor boy. He helps the driver park on the narrow streets of Nepalese cities by simply tapping the body of the bus while parking. The closer to the obstacle, the more often it knocks)))

View from the balcony of our hotel))) These are harsh Nepalese roofing screws)))))))))))))) In fact, to prevent the roof from flying away - well, they haven’t invented nails yet)))))))))))) In all cities, the roof is attached stupidly by placing small boulders on roofing sheets))) And in mountain villages, roofs are made directly from layers of rock - I personally saw how Nepalese, using a wedge and a sledgehammer, prepared building materials directly from the neighboring hill))))

On this day we managed to swim to an island on Lake Fewa

And to warm up we climbed a hill with a Buddhist stupa on top

And the next morning I joked that “my neighbor Katya is blonde, and in vain she ran away from me to spend the night in another room, maybe after a week of living together, I would propose to her)))” At that moment I still considered this joke a joke)))))))) In the photo Katya is torturing the Kittens)))))))))))

Then we were taken on a dilapidated bus closer to the mountains and finally the trekking began)))

A country of waterfalls, mountain rivers, a million steps and bridges))) Wow, we’ll climb that hill today)))

And the people there are really kind and joyful - Everyone is smiling, everyone is happy to see you))) We told everyone we met - “Namaste” - this means - “I greet God in your face.” They talked 1000 times a day, even shouted from the bus window))))) and everyone always answered and smiled))))) - Incredible country!!!!

The next day we walked through the jungle)))

And we spent the night with a view of the Himalayas!!! This photo was taken in the morning right through the window from my bed))))

We are moving forward on another forced march to the next point)))) In the photo - Tanya from Moscow.

This berry, for the first 40 seconds, has a simply heavenly taste - I couldn’t even imagine anything more tender, juicy, sweet and pleasant)))))) And then it turns into Red pepper - incredible tininess - it seems that now the skin will peel off all over your mouth. Locals said that 3 berries could be a lethal dose - but we seem to have survived))))

The Nepalese are so close to nature that they keep hives with wild bees right under the roof of their own house))))

And this is one of the local candy extortionists. I mean, I’m walking along a mountain path near some village - this miracle is sitting)))))) The girl, without blinking with the usual movement of her hand, takes candy from me and to my question in pure Russian - “Can I take a picture of you” - without hesitation she nods and says - “Yes”. It’s unlikely that she understood me, but they are ready to do anything for candy))))

There are a lot of small villages in the mountains of Nepal and they are full of children.

Children are always happy, happy and smiling - no one has ever seen a kinder cry)))

Our lodge - here we slept and ate))))

Together with the Ukrainian Dima, we climbed an extremely extreme radial route to that gorge. Yes, we also thought from the beginning - what’s wrong with it, but in the end it’s strange that we came back intact)))))))

In short, we walk through the Himalayas. Mainly along mountain trails. There is a wall on the left, a cliff on the right. So, over time, not only did the fear of heights disappear, but in general the consciousness switched to more pressing things, for example, how to use energy most economically to get to the next overnight stop, how not to lose consciousness from dehydration, how to breathe more often in the rarefied air, how to be amazed by the next view, do not forget to photograph it from all angles))), etc.

Nasalnik))). Together we climbed to the edge of the gorge made by a descending glacier.

But this view was probably the most cosmic of all that was on the track. The photo does not reflect the global nature of THIS AT ALL! Naturally, not everyone saw this miracle, but only the most crazy ones - me and Kirill)))

Her Majesty - Annapurna)))

Yes, yes - I had to sleep in the base camp in conditions close to combat conditions - it’s good that at least everyone had warm sleeping bags))) In the evening, from the lack of pressure, I got a terrible headache - the mining started, but a cocktail of spasmolgon with citramone saved me))))

It's getting light)))

And this is my Nepalese friend - Durga. He helped me climb onto a piece of rock sticking out of the hill - it was quite scary, but I still decided)))))) And all this at an altitude of about 4450 meters))))

Sunrise over Machapuchare)))))

Despite the fatigue and lack of oxygen, we simply flew with delight)))

It's time to go back - goodbye Annapurna Sanctuary))))))

And this is me, hugging a Nepalese girl))) For this, by the way, she received tryndyuli from her mother (((

Small monitor lizards scatter from under your feet)))

And in the distance you can still see the beautiful Machapuchare))))))))))))))))))))

At night, in the last lodge, the local tribe gave us a dance and gave us each a flower necklace (all this for money, of course))))))). I really don’t want to part with the Himalayas, but we still have a tour of Kathmanda ahead of us)))))))

Waking up out of habit at half past four in the morning, my roommate and I decided to go for a walk around the morning city. There are such energy junctions at almost every intersection)))) If you look closely, there are coils of simply twisted wires hanging on poles. I was told that if something breaks somewhere, it is impossible to find the cause, so they immediately pull a new wire))))))))))))))))))))

I had to borrow shower slippers from the hotel))))

First we were taken on an excursion to Pashupatinath. A gloomy Hindu place where they burn their dead directly at the stake and then throw what is left into the river. Heavy, negative atmosphere... Even the monkeys there are angry and rush at people.

And sadhus are greedy and take pictures only for money)))))

And in contrast to it is the Buddhist Stupa of Peace. There is an atmosphere of joy, warmth and constant celebration))))))) Incredible positivity. I want to stay there as long as possible!!!

In short, if I ever have to fulfill my childhood dream and go to Asia for permanent residence, I will choose the path of Buddhism over Hinduism.

Local stars - I don’t even remember where I took a photo of them - I just found the photo on a card at home)))))))

In the monkey temple)))))

Always Coca-Cola))) The poor macaques were hooked on this chemical, like a drug, they even lick up what they spilled from the ground...

And to make sure we finish this day, we went to see the living goddess Kumari)))))))) She should appear in one of these windows. They forced me to hide my cameras under the threat of a fine of 1000 bucks. It would be something to watch there!!! A little oppressed girl who lives by the minute, cannot communicate with her peers and get out of her imprisonment. She is watched around the clock and forced to study and observe all sorts of ancient rituals. She didn't even look at the people who paid money to enter. It was clear how unpleasant it all was for her - In general, this cruel treatment of a child, under the guise of tradition, was turned into a stable source of income)))))

The next day we realized that we had really annoyed our guide, Kirill, with his independence and therefore decided to give him a rest and scattered around Kathmandu in all directions. Me and a small group of Crazy Ukrainians took a taxi to Patan))))

Temple, bell, plane. Everything is intertwined in this fabulous country))))

Not everything is described here - there were too many photos and events, but in order not to bore readers with my chatter, I decided to make the report so short))) Don’t judge strictly))))

The main impression is this: Nepal blows your mind and tears your soul apart. You just need to visit there!!!!! No words or pictures can even come close to conveying THIS!!!

Just go there and walk on foot with a backpack without porters along the paved paths at least up to the height of the base camps - there you will understand where extreme sports stand out))))))))))))))) Yes, you don’t even need this - just fly to Kathmandu and walk around the city))) Believe me, it’s fun!!!!

And how do you like this - Walking through a foreign country, in the middle of nowhere, without knowing the language, at night, with a huge backpack, in the jungle, along a path along the edge of an abyss, in the company of 4 tired, hungry and completely strangers to you))))))))))))

Or, for example, hold a real alien in your hands)))

Life there really hits you hard, often over the head. And especially in Nepal - it’s just an incredible, fabulous country. What happens in it cannot be explained by our stereotypical thinking. You just need to take it as it is)))))

If, for example, a person likes to lie on a sun lounger and drink something alcoholic in an all-inclusive hotel, then he may not like such conditions))))) In mountain trekking In general, everything is different - Going to the top in the heat, dripping with sweat, with a heavy backpack on your shoulders and swallowing rare air like a fish - it’s still a pleasure)))) but it’s true, it’s more than rewarded with stunning views, unplanned adventures and meeting and communicating with amazing and extraordinary people)))

I also met an incredible girl - but that’s a completely different story))))))

That's all, Bye))) We'll definitely see you again!!!)))

Epilogue

In terms of money, for example, for me, it turned out something like this: 725 plane tickets, + 435 given to the conductor (this money includes payment for the bus, hotels, the conductor’s profit and a bunch of other things) + 25 visa + 340 food for the entire tour, taxi, clothes, souvenirs, paid attractions and other nonsense. Total - 1525. I must say that I didn’t waste much money - I only drank Fanta at the track for 3 bucks per jar a couple of times)))))) - others may have spent a little more. This does not include my travel Minsk-Kyiv-Boryspil and back. And also the costs of equipment - I stretched them out over a whole year, which is why I don’t remember anymore))))

Many thanks to the site www.OutdoorUkraine.com and personally to its owner and our guide - Kirill Yasko for the incredible adventure that we managed to experience, for a bunch of emotions, life experience, new friends and everything that simply cannot be put into words, because you can only feel it yourself!

The report used 55 photos of them: 2 - Denis Merenkov, 3 - Katya Sukhovey, 2 - Roman Sosnovsky, 2 - Marina Sklyarova, 2 - Sergei Smetanyuk, for which many thanks to them))) The rest of the photos are mine, that is, Alexey Chukardin)))

Alexey Chukardin, Belarus