20th april, 2016
9 am. I am off for a hike,(yes, alone) to chisapani sundarijal towards nagarkot, a two days hike along the northern edge that surrounds the kathmandu valley.Carried along some of essentials in a backpack and set off. Here's what happened to me all the way...
I am feeling terrible because i have never been on alone hike in places I dont know. This is my first time. Hope i will make it good. And i hope its all well out there. I went to newroad to get a charger for my camera and I got a bus to Sundarijal.
At nearly 1 pm, I ascended towards Mulkharka. It was a steepy hike and the village was huge. I walked uphill for about 10 km in the startling sun.
Paddy terrace of Mulkharka and the forest of Sundarijal
Mulkharka is a tamang village and I could see people in their homes, fields and Chauparis. When they worked in the field, they put their slippers off the field. The terraces were so maintained and organised. Women were beating husks out of their paddy in that heat.They were really working hard.
village of Mulkharka
I ascended into a dense bushy jungle after Mulkharka. The jungle was terrifying. I was alone and I knew that I had the fear of the jungle that i had to walk through. I didn't know what to do to deviate my fearsome thoughts. Then I videoed myself and talked about what i was feeling. I talked about trees, spirits and wild animals that would roam in those shrubs. That felt good. Every once in a while, I would make a video of myself when I was terrified. Deep in that hill, I met three people resting. I was really happy and assured that nothing bad would happen to me. Two of them were Austrians. The third one was a Nepalese guide. When I approached them, I greeted the foreigners. But they were confused to greet me back. I talked to the guide for a while and they left. I stayed for some minutes and started off. I wondered about what we think about people with white faces. I came to know today that every white guy is not adventurous. Again when I was deep into shrubs, I thought of making a video of myself. Paradox was that my phone memory was full. I put the phone back and mumbled with myself all the way. I felt fortunate when I met with people, and was terrified walking between those wild bushes.
I reached chisapani after a long and tiresome hike. I saw many demolished houses during the great earthquake and managed to take a few snaps.
I happen to be resting in my room now which I paid 500 NPR for. Three people are by my room and they are noisy as hell. I am having an idea of approaching them and getting to know them. That would be nicer. I drank wine to let go the tiring yet adventurers day.And i was served a nice plate of sukuti. It was tasty as heaven.
Day 2: I started off at 9. The bushes were similar like yesterday. After a few minutes, I was terrified of walking alone. I was worried as hell. I thought about things to do when i encountered a leopard or a bear. I would wear my glasses and move my hands like a kung fu master. Somewhere in the woods, I smelled a he goat. It is said that tigers or wild predators smell like he goats. My heart pounded. I couldn't think. I started making sounds of different people thinking that it would not attack me if it heard many people talking. I made a sound of a man. I made a sound of a woman and i let them talk. When the smell stopped, I picked a stick and walked hitting the bushes nearby. The stick was dry and it was broken after some hits. I was like wild ready to have an encounter. I also imagined if I had a steel shell around my neck, the leopard wouldn't attack me. When there were some pheasants making noises in the fallen leaves in the bush, I became paranoid.
Luckily, after some time, I got a ride on a jeep and it dropped a few miles further. I walked for some time and found the three guys from yesterday. I repeated my old story of walking alone.We walked for 10 kms along the bushy terrains and finally reached Jhule for lunch. This place is in kathmandu district itself. It is very remote but the people out here are talking and participating. Its good. I came to know that the two Austrians are on a trip to many countries in the world. They said they were on a 10 days stay in Nepal. I was nervous talking to them about their travel. I had never talked to people who travel the world. Its kindda strange greed. I wish I could travel the world. I should travel the world. I am curious about how they might be planning and doing to travel. I was wrong about them for being not adventurous. I should not be judging people too quickly. I suggested them to trek in other countries too so that they could understand the differences in trekking around the world. They appreciated that.
We walked past the villages of Lapsebhanjyang , Kattike.
I was really tired. I then bid them farewell on the uphill to Nagarkot. I thanked them for having me and suggested them to visit the great Himalayas during their next trip. I rested for some time and ascended towards Nagarkot. Within an hour, I was in Nagarkot buspark. The bus would leave at 6 pm and I thought I would decide on staying or leaving over a cup of tea. I decided to stay since I could still be staying by myself even if I went to Kathmandu. I was searching for a lodge, a peaceful lodge. This guy invited me in his lodge called Himalaya Guest House. It is good but he made me an easy prey. He charged me 800 NPR for the room plus ten percent service charge. They don't even have call bells here. Service charge for what? I took a shower, pluped a bottle of beer and did my time. Peace.