Devendra on the Marsyandi Khola

NEPAL AT GLANCE

By Devendra

You are heartily welcome to roof of the world and land of Shangri-La. Nepal, the legendary mountain kingdom of the Himalayas lie wedge between two Asian giants - India & China. Very small in size but can proudly boast of variety of things found nowhere else in the world.
Nepal is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of bio-diversity due to its unique geographical position and altitude variation. The elevation of the country ranges from 60 meters above sea level to the highest point on earth, Mt. Everest at 8,848 meters, all within a distance of 150 kilometers resulting in climatic conditions from Sub-tropical to Arctic.

Nepal has not only bio-diversity but it has also the cultural diversities. One can’t understand and follow the dialect, culture and tradition of others. So you have the greatest chances of having different experiences in a short distance and short period.

To trek in the remote areas of Nepal provides you the chances of viewing the high snow capped mountains as well as you have also the chances of meeting and interacting with those people who look your ancestors of many years ago who were really free of modern obstacles.

Location:

Latitude: 26°22' north to 30°27' north

Longitude: 80°04' east to 88°12' east.

It lies between China to the north and India to the east, west and south.

Area: 147,181 square kilometers.

Time: Five hours forty five minutes ahead than the GMT

Population: 25 millions

Religion: Hinduism, Buddhism, Muslim, Christian and Shamanism

Language: Nepali

People: Around 70 ethnic groups & more than 100 spoken dialects

Political: Multiparty Democracy System

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50 Hz

Best seasons for trekking:

Autumn: For those who are interested for viewing good views of high mountains

Spring: For those who are interested about flora and fauna.

But remember, trekking is can be done in Nepal throughout the whole year.

Nepal occupying only 0.1% of the earth is home to:
-2% of all the flowering plants in the world
-8% of the world's population of birds (more than 848 species)
-4% of mammals on earth
-11 of the world's 15 families of butterflies (more than 500 species)
-600 indigenous plant families
- 8 of the 14 high mountains (above 8000m) of the world
-319 species of exotic orchids

A Short Description of my village, by Devendra

Short description:

By Devendra Rai

I am from the eastern part of Nepal from the hilly region – lower part of Mt. Everest – VDC Sotang and Solukhumbu District – very remote and untouched by the tourists. Electricity and any means of transportation are just out of the imagination of the people from this part of the corner of the world. But my village and surrounded areas are inhabited by several tribal people who have their own language, culture and idiosyncrasies. These friendly and smiling people living closely with nature provide a source of joy far away from maddening crowd of the modern busy cities. So it is absolutely interested place if somebody who would like to visit in a very peace and crowd-less and would like to intermingle with the different community. You have the chances of visiting Rai people who are still practicing Shamanism in the 21^st century.

The first occupation of those is farming by their birth. For concerning my family, farming is done by my family for several generations, which is very hard living. I would like to change the lifestyle and occupation. So I chose tourism business for my living.

A Village Girl Moves to Kathmandu to Better Herself and Her Family

By Suga Rai, wife of Devendra Rai

I going to tell you something about me, I am from Bung VDC, just lowland of Mt. Everest. It is just nearby Sotang from where Devendra is. Yes, I have my mother who lives in the village. My father was passed away when I was six months. I have three older brothers and no sisters. My mother is 53 years old now. My biggest brother is 31 year and, middle brother is 29 and youngest brother is 26 year old. They all are older than me. I am 21 year old. The names of my brothers are Megh Nath, Gyanendra and Dinesh Rai they all are married. The second brother and third brothers are living in the village and big brother is in KTM. My middle brother has three sons and youngest brother has two daughters and one son and big brother doesn’t have any children.

Yes, I miss my village. I miss my mother mostly because she lives alone and getting older. So she is helpless. I wish I could do something for my mother but I can’t do anything now because I am student and I am living and studying with the help of my husband. Secondly, I miss my friends, cattles, foods, fresh spring water, religious feast and festivals.

The reason I want to live in KTM is there are more chances of education, job, and transportation

An interview:

Joe: How did you decided to move to Kathmandu

Suga: we decided to move in Kathmandu and settle in Kathmandu is; there are less chances of job, education, electricity, communication, transportation in the village even tough it has fresh invironment and fresh food. As I have already told you there is only one chance of work that is; FARMING. And it is done by my several generations. So I want to change my profession as well as Devendra. That is the key reason that make us to be married.

Joe: What problems you have encountered in Kathmandu?

Suga: I am from the middle class family in the standard of village life, which is very low in the standard of Kathmandu life. So I have encountered several problems and still I am having as Devendra is not getting good treks. He is trying to have good treks he has not have good after the trek you did together. So for carrying on my studies, I still have problem financially. But I hope and wish the coming season could be good for Devendra so that things could be easier.

Joe: What does your family thinks about your moving?

Suga: My families think positively and they will be very happy if Devendra and I can settle in Kathmandu. But it is very hard. Let's see, if we can find good chances - then we definitely can do this too. Devendra always encourages me that he does something good in nearly ten years. He says - if he can't do any thing in Nepal in 1-2 years - then he goes somewhere abroad. I wish he could do something in Nepal first - if not he could go somewhere abroad where he wish to go so that he can make good organized for our living in Kathmandu. Let's see how it goes.

Joe: What is it like for a village girl to live in the big city?

Suga: Now, it is common to stay a village girl in the big city. But village girls or any girls need support to uplift their career. Let's say - I am having the support from Devendra.

Joe: What classes are you studying to be a city guide?

Suga: I am in 11th grade now. But for being a city guide, I need to have degree. I mean 15th grade - so fully 4 years left. I hope and wish Devendra could set up better so that I could carry on my studies.

Devendra at the last Tea Shop before the sumit of Thorang La.

Trekking in the Marsyandi Khola - Kathy, Devendra and Gotham

Our first day on the trek starting from Besisar - On the left Gautam in blue shirt. On the right Devendra in the yellow shirt and Birka in the gray shirt.

Our party reaches the top of Thorong La