Hi all,
Just got back from a 4 day trek in the Annapurna range in Pokhara, Nepal. The Range itself is a wonderful sight and is rivals the everest region which lies to the east. However, before you think of snowcapped treks in the snow, and North Face gear in tow, think again to the lower regions of the range- I suppose the scummy ring that surrounds a bath tub, or the Radford/St. Ann’s/ sneidnton, Area of Nottingham- close, but no cigar. Still, it was nice and the sometimes views beyond the clouds were incredible. The unconquered Fish Tail Mountain is breathtaking as it goaded us from above the clouds at nearly 23,000 ft, some 4/5 times our highest point. And believe me, we climbed pretty high up. It was more than the hump-on-the dump, Harrow-on-the-Hill, if you would only believe it. I also found out that Trekking is not for me. I just don’t get it- it brings out the practical side to me where I wanted to get from A to B ASAP. Regardless, I don’t regret it and I had a good time, especially in the remote teahouses at night with fellow GVI volunteers, Alex and Jane ( the latter a slow walker, the former a grateful partner in whinge about the heat and ridiculous gradient). Dilwyn, if you’re reading this, you of all people would LOVE this side of Nepal. It’s one of few things taller than you, plus you get to walk until you throw up with joy.
My volunteering placement is going well. As stated before I am working in the Trisuli Centre, with teenagers, and not in Pokhara with orphans. It’s cool apart from being in the middle of nowhere, with a lack of Internet access, and from time to time electricity. The lads are great and I am teaching them and local villagers English, as well as other activities. They love football and we try and organize a community game every so often. Of particular interest, I have successfully bought with me the gift of Rock N’ Roll, thereby making Trisuli the unofficial center of Rock N’ Roll in Nepal. We fostered the team spirit that the Young Leaders Club wants, when on the way back from a team building rafting trip, I had some 20 teenage lads on the back of a 4mph tractor shouting “Rock and Roll, Maaan” to every passing vehicle- full on devil horn finger salute and everything. I won’t that moment anytime soon, as I was laughing pretty hard. Tomorrow, I will give them another level of rock excess, I will give them something they have never seen before- I bring with me, [the unofficial and pirated] Queens Greatest hits I, II, III, and probably, IV and V. I will have them clapping the ‘Clap Clap’ to Radio Ga Ga before my time here ceases, that I promise you. That is if the luddite buggers have a CD player.
I hope you are all well in the UK. Did anyone get Glasto Tickets, or alternatives? Also, I saw that Liverpool beat the Chelsea scum into the Champs league final on the 23rdof May. I will be in Kathmandu on my birthday for a date with destiny. A Dirk Kuyt overhead kick off the post and then the keepers back would be a sweet start to my 24th year, but a Peter Crouch Headed winner would be all my Christmas’s.
Rock ‘n Roll, LOL
MC
