The Nepali drums play in the background as camp breaks down. After the ten hour bus ride to Arughat Bazar and a night of camping by the river, we are ready to hike to Baseri - Tika and Gopal's village. A 4 mile hike with over a 1000 foot climb at the end is simply a prelude of things to come.
During our stay we have befriended the nicest of people. Lead by our guides Tika and Gopal, Devraj (Tika's brother) and about 2 dozen Nepali porters and chefs, I can not imagine any people being nicer. We meet a handful of the local kids - Ghita and Roo - who are more than jubliant. They are amazed by Rick, Vinay, and Lisa's digital camera. How can someone take a picture of one of them only to have it displayed in a six inch square screen.
Jose with some of the local children in Arughat Bazar
Last night, after the chicken soup and egg chop suey combination - the whole town decides to come and dance for the Dawali festival. Each song, only accompanied by the Mahdi- the Nepali drum - is sung by someone who truly cares. While I can not understand a single word they say, they explain their stories in song. Whether it is taking the rice from field to field, or playing the Nepali Nut dice game, there probably is a song written about it . And you know for sure that the song will be accompanied by a Mahdi, and will keep you up to well past 1 o'clock in the morning.
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