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Hiking near the Himalayas: Meeting Sirimaya

About this recording

Creator
Kristin Post
Date created
October 19, 2000
Duration
3:03
Location
Ghorapani Loop, Nepal
File
MP3
License
This recording copyright ©2000. Terms of use

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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. It is a social experience and offers an insight into the village culture that has been preserved in the Himalayan mountains for many years.

In this recording, my hiking friend Sabine and I meet Sirimaya. She was a very beautiful woman who lived in a village with a stunning view of “Fishtail Mountain,” or Machapuchare. Her village also happens to be on the way to some hot springs. Though she most likely has never had very much official schooling, she has obviously learned English from the many tourists who come through. You can hear at the beginning of the tape that we are having a hard time understanding her, but then we begin to understand one another.

From my journal:

It’s good that it’s a rest day — just go down to the hot springs and back. No packs to carry. But it’s straight downhill, which is tough. We tell stories. Springs are crowded. We talk to some older folks who are on a camping tour and then meet Harper, an American chic on her own. […] As we leave, we’re faced with another blood sugar problem. Stop for gorp. Watch out for leeches. Not too far from last stop, we stop again to get “Chang,” or “Tibetan beer” — which tastes like yeasty wine. A few sips later, and after we record the woman/proprietress, we are doubled over in laughter. Her laugh is completely hysterical, and she is so thrilled to hear her own voice.

Transcript

Hello? (inaudible)

Is good hot spring?

Good husband! Is that what you..[laughs]

Good hot spring?

No…Good hard..?

Hot Spring?

Hot spring!

Yeah [laughs.]

Oh yeah, we had good hot spring. Good beer.

Good view.

Good view. Very good view.

Nice village.

Very nice village. Yes. Very nice people. Nice rooster.

Mountain.

Mountain. Waterfall.

Yes…

Nice jewelry.

Yes.…

We see it all…

Yes [laughs].

Tapai ko nam ke ho?

Sirimaya.