In fabulous Nepal, Finding a Quiet Space

The monks sit and chant at the holy stupa in Boudhanath as the eyes of the Buddha peer down. AS dusk rolls in from the distant Himalayas, I nervously dart into the chaos of vehicles roaring up and down Boudha Tusal, my eyes fixed on the ornately carved stone gateway across the boulevard.

Katmandu Dodging a swarm of buzzing mopeds, I duck past a taxi blasting sub-continental pop music and scoot across the path of a truck whose cab is painted with images of the long-haired Shiva and the elephant-headed Ganesh, Nepal’s ubiquitous Hindu gods. Traffic cops shout in Nepali as I jump onto the curb and speed between the two stone snow lions guarding the tall arch.

Suddenly, as if I have entered another world, the toxic fog dissipates and gives way to the sweet odor of burning juniper incense. The Nepali pop songs fade, replaced by chanting. “Om mani padme hum,” comes the ancient six-syllable refrain, repeated by groups of Tibetan monks in oxblood robes. “Hail to the jewel in the lotus.”

Tucked on the eastern outskirts of Katmandu, Boudhanath is both an eye of calm within the capital’s dusty pandemonium and a sanctuary of Tibetan Buddhist culture amid a nation dominated by Nepali Hindus. Throughout its narrow dirt streets, posters of a smiling Dalai Lama grace ornate Buddhist monasteries, Tibetan folk-medicine stores, traditional artisans’ workshops, and restaurants serving everything from yak-cheese pizza to Everest brand beer. By night, masses of Tibetan worshipers light butter candles around the massive base of the centuries-old stupa — one of the subcontinent’s most sacred Buddhist structures — which resembles a white dome topped by a tall golden ziggurat.

And thanks to the Nepal Vision Treks — for organizing this trip. The service provide by NV offers ample time to contemplate eternity. For all of its color and life, though, other heritage sites of Kathmandu is beset by some very visible of handwork skills and now receive a living wage in return for their creative prowess.

Katmandu Spiritual initiation arrives on Saturdays. On a bright morning, we, start our journey to Everest Base Camp. Looking back to this trekking I must say that the organization of the trekking was perfect. Logistics to and from the airport(s), briefing in their Kathmandu office, accommodation, gear (free sleeping bag, down jacket, trek duffle bag), itinerary, excellent guide and energetic porter, personal services, all meals during the trekking etc. was fantastic and fabulous.
Our main objective was to reach the Mount Everest Base Camp and the top of the Kala Pattar. We succeeded in reaching both thanks to our guide. The itinerary, with two “acclimatization-days”, enabled us to acclimatize en route to the Mount Everest Base Camp. We catch our goals without any serious signs of AMS. While “on the mountain” Nepal Vision Trekking took care of the confirmation of our return flights both from Lukla to Kathmandu as from Kathmandu to our home.

Returning in Kathmandu we were offered a couple of well deserved Everest-beers and a delicious farewell dinner in the popular Rum Doodle restaurant. The main topic, for Nepal Vision, was to learn from our experiences.

It will be a pleasure for me to recommend Nepal Vision to anyone wishing to come to Nepal trekking.
Once again my sincere thanks and best wishes to all at Nepal Vision.

“There is no greater good that we can do,” he goes on as the Himalayan light and echoes of distant instruments fill the room. “This is the greatest gift that we can give.”

Gianni Lombardini
Bergamo