Feet Forth Maturity lies a stance ahead

Though was a paradise, it was haunted by dusty winds. Staying stagnant in Katmandu tolerating the change of three seasons for the first time away from the tropical home sun and bored with its routine enchantment amidst the sufferings from filthy waste and scarcities such as rain, water and electricity, we, the bunch of Sri Lankan students of the Tribhuvan University needed some queering, refreshing expedition to ‘untamed’ localities. It was the mid August, 2010. Our bus moved ahead through the light intermittent rains in Katmandu with heavy baggage, expecting an unexpected coldness in the mountains. Blackness of the starting unhygienic stream of the Bhagmathi River flowing along with ashes of the cremations at Pashupatinat was slowly diluting while following us beside the road seemed to be little broaden being aroused by the cheering up of us. We entered the Lamjung district and stopped to enjoy the hospitality of the last town of the journey, Besishahar. Cameras flickered endlessly capturing the fragrant sceneries of that green suburb at the expense of our study stress.

Next, we were directed to get onto a small, old carry wagon to make the rest of the journey wading in the muddy road. Sometimes all had to get down giving a hand to pull the entrenched tyres on the verge of Himalayan ravines enmeshed with brutal waterfalls playing up bungee jumping.

Since we got down, a narrow footpath through the uncontaminated forest of Annapurna Nature Reserve paved way up to the destination. Farmers coming far from the corn fields of the buffer zone were carrying unusual types of umbrellas made of reef. The women wearing bright colorful clothes had timidly smiling eyes; they were carrying heavy piles of firewood and foodstuff on back made us astonished. At first we saw it as a 2070m summit of dark clouds. Finally it was a breathtaking moment when the Ghalegaun hamlet became apparent kaleidoscopically surrounded by other gigantic mountain tops, after a short heavy rain!