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Hiking near the Himalayas: Guides sing
About this recording
- Creator
- Kristin Post
- Date created
- October 19, 2000
- Duration
- 3:28
- Location
- Ghorapani Loop, Nepal
- File
- MP3
- License
- This recording copyright ©2000. Terms of use
Related media
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- Search LEARN NC for Annapurna, army, folk, guides, language, military, mountains, Nepal, Nepali, singing, songs, trails, and trekking.
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Trekking in the Himalayas in Nepal is not like trekking on the Appalachian Trail. Nor is it the same as climbing Mount Everest. Most tourists take certain routes, either to Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Base Camp, or a shorter route along the same trail. The trails are made of paved stone stairs, they are dotted with villages, and trekkers stay in guesthouses along the way. The views of the tallest mountains in the world are always present, but distant.
Even though the trails are paved, many tourists make these treks with hired guides. Many young Nepali men aspire to be a guide because it is a relatively well paid job.
In the guesthouses at night, trekkers and their guides gather together to eat and hang out. On this night, the guides were willing to allow me to record a popular folk song. At the end, you will hear the description of the song’s meaning. It is a song about a man who must leave his home to fight in the army.
Transcript
My name is Dolda Suvedi. I am trekking guide. Now I been ABC [Annapurna Base Camp] and come back in Chomrong [a town along the trail]. And I am sorry I am not singer man, but our sister requested me, and little bit I record here. Thanks, my sister. I hope so en…very good enjoy your trek. And everything is OK.
My name is Vishnu Suvedi. Thank you.
My name is Tika.
My name is [inaudible]. I am six year experience guide. [laughs]
[singing starts]
What is the song about?
About uh…it is army song. When some person in training army, then he left his home and he’s uh going to fighting at that time. Some [inaudible] tell this song. And uh to write his home later.
