GO for LOWA.....

These day youth are raising their voice from different area for the demand to change name from GURUNG to LOWA. One of my friend invite me in the Mustang group in facebook, I go through the page and I was stuck as so many people are talking about this particular topic. I was impressed by the idea and I keep joining other Mustangi group too to know better about the issue. So, I hold my pen and start writing it down what’s in my mind.

As being the citizen of Nepal, we have right to demand, what we deserve for and welfare of the society and its culture and traditional.

think lo...heehe

Gurung isn’t our real identity and never will be, through so many ways we are different. Our religion might be quite similar but the way we survive and habitat are totally different as well as our traditional, cultural, language. How we could be Gurung? I ask some people about Mustang being Gurung; they told me that we are Lama Gurung. What does it exactly mean? I couldn’t understand it and do you?

How about Karma Gyatso Lowa instead of Karma Gyatso Gurung? I know it sound bizarre but it is who we are. Beside we don’t have to put it by the end as we even can put in the front just like the ancient scholar did. Lowa Rinchen Sangpo is one of the well known scholars of Mustang, just like it, how about Lowa Karma Gyatso?

 Well, if we are Gurung then what about Sherpa? Why they have Sherpa instead of Gurung? Our culture, traditional, languages are far more similar to Sherpa rather than Gurung. Just like Sherpa, so do we live in Himalayan region then why does Nepal government put us in Sherpa instead of Gurung? Because they knew neither does we belong to Sherpa nor does in Gurung but through certain political reason they put us in Gurung categories.

Why not us Lowa? Lowa is not just name of a person who lives in Mustang but it’s the place where our for-father shed their blood for us. Before Nepal take over Mustang, Mustang was once an independent kingdom ruled by a loyal king, although closely tied by language and culture to Tibet. At the end of the 18th century the kingdom was annexed by Nepal. Even if we go through history, Gurung was nowhere to be heard or seen in the history. Then how we can be Gurung?

Well, this is just opinion that popped up in my mind, so I share because I am one of them and I really wanna change Gurung into Lowa. If you guys agree with my opinion and support my view then share it with your each and every Mustangi friends, so that WE CAN MAKE A CHANGE. Beside we really need organization which looks after the welfare of Mustang rather than particular villages. It doesn’t mean, I am against those club or organizations, which are established for the welfare of each particular village. Truly they does great job for the welfare of village like giving environment awareness, health awareness and so on. Thumps up for them and keep up such good work.

GO FOR LOWA.

Proud of being a Mustangi..

13^th oct 2013

Its really romantic and pleasant weather today as neither rain pour like cat and dog nor the wind blow like mad elephant. Because of late night sleep yesterday, I was unable to wake up early to feel it but right now I am feeling it and honestly I love it.

I miss my beautiful village when the cold wind touches my body and seeing the different formation of clouds. Even thou I didn’t spent much time there tasting the lifestyle of them but I know coz I am one of them and their blood circulate in my body. And no matter what I might be and where I might be, my heart will always be there in MUSTANG. And I am proud of being the son of such a rich traditional and cultural people or society.

I was born in the capital of Nepal but I spent my 7 years of childhood in Mustang, rambling and cuddling in the field with horses, donkey, cows and so on. I do remember I used to steal green pea from fields, apple from orchard, red radish from government nursery and so on. Mostly I success as I can run faster and hide everywhere but sometime unluckily I get my ass kicked so hard.

I do remember one thing clearly about my childhood. I used to wait colorful festivals desperately as I get new clothes to wear and lots of candy to taste and more importantly get some pocket money (given by relatives and so on). It was the merry time for me and other children as Christmas for the western children. Although we do not have those fancy toys but we do have fun and happy environment where people live in harmony side by side with respect.

  

I was just like this....

Sometimes I feel lucky being able to spend my childhood in such a beautiful environment, where people live with smile in their oily face rather then doubtful and arrogant. It doesn’t matter whether they are rich or poor whatever their status, their arms are always open for each other. Buddhism is the religion they follow and love, compassion and kindness are the logo of them, oh not exactly logo but more of their quality. Right?

Today’s beautiful weather remained me of my childhood and those innocent acted that we played so innocently. I wish I could go back to that time again, where my life was perfect and happy. If I write down all the beautiful moments then I think it won’t finish even after thousand pages. As the society tough me so many lesson about love, compassion, kindness, living in harmony and so many other good qualities that we human being are lacking now in this century of technology. Beside if I write down the feeling then I might be famous in this freaking world with a title MR FEELING and I don’t want that coz I am happy being who I am and where I am now. Thank you Mustang and obviously same goes to the happy people of Mustang…..

In next life, she will be mine...

I remember clearly, it was sunny day in 2001; the leaves were dancing with the rhythm of lake cool breeze and the melodies of birds modulation chirping. The view of Machhapuchhre and other mountains reflect clearly in the lake as there were very few boats at the time. I was happily reading a novel as there was no customers in the café even brother and mom were absenet as they went to market to fetch something. “Can I have a coffee please?” a voice disturbs me, when I held my head unwillingly. I was fascinated and couldn’t stop staring. I didn’t believe what I was seeing right at that time. “Wow!!! You look beautiful” I said myself while staring to her. “Can I have a coffee please?” she said again.

“Well, can you make it yourself as no one is inside beside I don’t know who to make it perfectly?”I tease her. She didn’t responded but keep smiling shyly and I broke the silence “Don’t worry I was just kidding”. This is how I met her. I don’t remember how our relation blossom but I do remember those beautiful moments; we cuddled each other with so much love and care. As each single dropped of water filled the container just like that with each meeting, we become one soul dwelling in two different bodies. The more I spend time with her the more I want her and I keep falling in love with her extraordinary personality and beauty. Truly I had even thought about my future being with her, having a house and cute children.

After graduation from college, I settled down with my family and I feel great to have a most charming girl as my girlfriend. But unfortunately thing were not the way it was and were. Deep inside she was carrying a huge bundle and she was not willing to share with me. Our relation becomes complicated with each passing day. I don’t understand what the reason behind all this dust. As the same pole of magnet repel how hard you tried to stick it back, our relation was in such condition. She never picked even a single word from me.

 “What the fuck? Don’t be stubborn?” I argue with her for the fast time in these three years of relation. “I am getting married by following year” she said quietly while tears dropping continuously. I don’t believed what I just heard and couldn’t imagine she is being marry to someone else. My heart shatters into pieces, I am alive but I am dying inside with each passing day. I don’t know what to do and where to go; mostly I stay quietly alone by the lake puffing cigarette. She never takes seriously with our relation, for these past three years; she was just pretending to be my girlfriend? Oh shit!!! Why this is happening to me. Why me? If you the god is there and listening to my pray let me show some path or lead me from this darkness.

She was from Mustang and their traditional too is complicated as well as bizarre. To get married one has to be from same village if not then has to be same cast. In any case, if two lover run off from village then it will be upside down for them, if they return back to village again. Beside they have their own meaning for Tibetan as our fathers has played villain role in 1960’s in Mustang when they flee from Tibet. They brutalize the people by robbing their belonging, rapping the women remorselessly as they were bestial. The insanity which was done earlier had its impact on the later generation as a result; the new generation had a naïve approach towards those barbarians (Tibetan). Beside they think Tibetan youth as lack of responsibility and so forth.

One of her friend told me this mysterious story (what our father did) and their complicated traditional. Her family scolded her badly being in relation with me that why she ends up with me. Shall I accuse my father (as he flees from Mustang) or her fake love? No matter whatever but I still remember those beautiful moments that I spend with her. Let say the most amazing moments of my life.

i click it from his photo...the girl he love....

Now I am running 41 and I have two sons (5 and 10) and a beautiful daughter (15) but I still have her picture in my wallet. Neither have I showed it to my children nor to my own wife. She is in my heart, in this life she can’t be mine but we will reunite in next life. Ha ha ha ha….
 

TRIP TO MUKTINATH, ZHONG AND KAGBENI

                                                    

I was tired of walking on such a high altitude that makes my bones cracking and the cold wind chill my bones. That makes me weak and unable to walk ahead but somehow we are able to reach our final destination while dragging my heavy foots.  “Thanks god finally we reached Muktinath.” I said with exhausted. Just right after dinner I felt sleep like I never had slept for decade. I had a pleasant dream too.

The next day, I wake up with chillness and freezing, both Karma and Tsewang were in sound sleep in their respective cozy bed peacefully. Karma was snoring but it was not too loud, his knees and arms were curl up in the foetus position clenching extra pillow, he sleep just like a baby.

 I put two more logs in the fireplace to keep the room warm, opened the small wooden window for the fresh air which was beautifully craft. When I gazed outside the room, everything was covered up with snow just like a white sheet. The morning sun was shining brightly from the clear blue sky. The beam as if the golden threats were falling down from the heaven. Snow was twinkling, sparkling and glittering which was magnificent.

A large, ferocious and aggressive Tibetan Mastiff was waiting patiently for the owner, when the old women opened the wooden door; he started wagging his thick tail while showing happy expression to the old women. She gave something to eat and then move toward the cage of chickens which were clucking in a high pitch as a demonstration of being getting free. The old women put maize into the big bowl and water in the other yellow bowl which was made from plastic oil container. 

I poured a hot water from Chinese flask and wear sweeter then my thick black coat, getting out of trouble with the frigid climate. With a hot water and old Sony camera hanging on my neck, I climbed up the narrow single ladder log to capture some beautiful scenery of the spot. For the first time in my life, I had experience to climb on such unique ladder and the feel the twinkling snow. I can’t believe that I was standing on the thick snow am I imagining or am I hallucinating? I pinched my cheek to make sure that I wasn’t dreaming. I simply smile silently while bending down, feel the snow and slept there for a minutes.   

Kagbeni....

I went back to room as I was shivering, poured down another cup of water then put another log. Both of them were still dreaming, I felt chill when I opened the small wooden window again. I give a shit about the coolness and walk toward the old women. She was around at her 60’s, with black and white hair, facial wrinkle were clearly seen on her oily brown skin. She was wearing an old black chupa and songba (Tibetan traditional shoes) shinny rosary was hanging on her chest and keeps reciting OM MANI PAD ME HUM mantra. 

After lunch, we trekked toward small village called Zhong, were my friend Karma was born and grow up. It was situated on the hill with around fifteen to twenty families, the structure of the house were similar to each other mainly painted in white except the red monastery. Which was constructed on the top, can be recognize easily from far away. Karma’s house was quite big, ground floor were used to keep dry animals dunk and small logs and left were used as store room. They lived at the first floor, there was one big living room with kitchen attach, three rooms and a shrine room. At the corner of the roof, a small square is constructed to hold a wooden pole to hang a prayer flags. 

Karma’s mom has already prepared special dinner for us, a big Mustangi momo with special local chilli. My stomach was rumbling at the moment but I was unable to bite my fifth one, as it was not only the matter of size but full of meat and juicy. Not like one you get from the restaurant, full of onion but I drink two bowl of pure soup. I asked Karma if I can get telephone but unfortunately because of the thick snow the telephone line was dead. 

After exploring some days there we climbed down toward Kagbeni as Tsewang was from there. Unlike Zhong, Kagbeni was quite advance in its modern technology and infrastructure compare to any villages around. There are sufficient of nice hotel, restaurant and café so on. Tsewang family own a hotel call Mount Everest and one of my class-mate is running Big Apple cafe at the edge of village and was constructed on the cliff beautifully but it was close at the time.  

As Tsewang was busy with her family, Karma sneak out of house and I followed him quietly. It was quiet and peaceful only a handful of people were seen mostly older. While rolling and puffing a cigarettes we met our long lost friend Sonam Wangdu, we greet each other.

Whatever it was fun in snow and windy weather. I love it

500 Miles For One Kiss....8

Just right after last puff, I return back to room and took a shower and rode toward N café. The weather was beautiful, neither shining brightly nor raining like a cat and dog. The breeze plus little wind make the day perfect. I drive slowly let the cool wind touch my face and make my dancing hair dance happily. I changed my mind when I reached lakeside; I choose to drive rather than to spend the time like pig. I drive in the first gear, moving slowly by the edge of lake which leads to the famous town for fish curry and other fish dishes.

I wish to incessant my turtle movement until the smooth road ends but unfortunately the smell of cigarette order me to stop. As commanded I brought a packet of cigarette and a match; again I carry ahead with morosely. When the road changed into pavement, I pulled the brake and gave rest to the bike engine. As far as I can guess, approximately I was three kilometers away from N café, grabbed some flat pebbles and walk listlessly toward the water.

Just like the way it was appear from the other side, it’s gorgeous, splendid and constant with the natural gift. The numerous of trees and plants decorate the hills, the melody of the happy birds and the sound of the squirrel climbing up and down. Right below the hills, there is a meadow which extend till it touch the lake as if it’s thirsty. The cool lake breeze plus the fragrance of the wild flowers and the various plants make the perfect perfume. Leaves were dancing with the rhythm of breeze and the sweet song of birds. 

I had planned to visit this side with my intimate friends one day with freshwater bait to lure the fish, obviously not fishing and with some drinks. But I was all alone standing with mind full of disturbance, convulsion and annoyance. I lit the cigarette and with each puff I throw pebbles without any enthusiasm. I tried to take a nap wishing to forget everything when I wake up but my mind keep recalling which keep me awake. I hollered as loud as I could not only once but thrice, I rolled my chinky eyes as if anyone was watching my back. I put another cigarette in my mouth and drive back and pull brake near the restaurant and ordered the half quarter vodka, mountain dew and a fry fish. The furniture of the restaurant was old as well as the structure.

There were some tables at the back, there was vegetable farm quite big enough to build two houses, and tables were arranged line by line at the other side of the wall. I took my seat as no choice, lit another smoke. In front of me, there were four girls around at their 22’s with long and straight hair as well as curly with light brown hair too drinking beer and smiling to each other. I guess, they are drunk but not completely, they laugh with each line and their eyes were quite small and not more than 4 beer bottles were already empty. There was a couples at my back talking in low sound, not talkative as the four girls, seems like new couples.

I finished my first drink while ordering my second; the couple leaves the table and walk briskly toward the counter. I request for a cigarette and continue my drink; I can clearly hear the girls were talking about me. I feel nothing about them as I have no intension to impress them or to manipulate instead I keep dreaming about Yangzom. I brewed my last cup of drink, when I glimpse toward the girls, one of them was watching toward me, when I catch her eyes and she dropped with demurred. 

I pull out my mobile from pocket and make a call to Norbu asking a favor if he could able to join me. He accepted willing and told me will be there in fifteen minutes. It was around 6 in the evening, crickets began their chorus, play Bob Dylan and Adam Levine song from phone in medium volume able to hear to the next table.  I ordered another bottle while holding my smoke, I felt it always half an hour and he still not coming. I make another call and clarify if he is coming or not he told me in which restaurant I was in. I went toward the road hoping to see him but he wasn’t there again I make another call informing that I was standing at the door. By the half of my cigarette, he appeared like a ghost from somewhere. 

I heard my stomach growl and see thing not the way they are but continue drinking and smoking until Norbu told me to terminated with the last drink. I was that much drunk that I even can’t hold my own body, to drive a bike totally impossible and stupid idea. I don’t know how I acted or what we talked at that rough night. Even I don’t know who paid the bill. When I wake up, I found myself in a cozy bed, it was already mid-day and found several call from Yangzom. There was a note stick on the freeze, as instruct I grabbed my key, brewed a pot of coffee. With a cup of coffee, I climbed to the roof as the weather was perfect but my head was still in pain. I lit a cigarette.

500 Miles For One Kiss....7

I was unable to catch Mr. Rabbit (Alice in the wonderland) until or unless it was 2 in the morning but the best part was, I wake up early without any yawn or dizzy as I used to. After breakfast I did was just forward her a good morning message. After couples of minutes, my phone gave me message signal. Ting… Tong…

 “Good morning!!! Did you have a sound sleep?”

“Nope…aren’t you tire and exhausted?”

“No. why?”

“Coz last night, you keep running in my mind”

“Joke min du lo”

“So, are you free?”

“I don’t know now. Call you lo.” 

The best part of the girl message is to read the last word “LO” although it carries a strong message of love, affection and care. Use by Tibetan and one more country; Nepal (Never end peace and love). Ha ha ha!!! Kidding Nepal is no more a place of peace and love as you know, it’s totally corrupted. Fuck it.

Well, truly speaking, that night I expected a lot from her and through big expectation, I planned a lot and spend the whole night dreaming and dreaming about coming day. This is what I had planned that long and boring but interesting night, eyes full of hope.

“While watching a movie, gonna embrace her soft hand and rub gently. While at interval, will buy two coffees but big popcorn so, I can feel her small hand. I also figure out that Norbu’s café was the best in town, which give us the best scenery with cool lake breeze. From other point I wanna prove Norbu that he was wrong about me earlier and also wanna show him how capable I am. While at café I wanna express how I felt toward her since the first day; I saw her at café. While at the evening, I wish to walk slowly by the edge of lake holding her hand while nudging under the romantic weather without caring who the hell will see. Although I didn’t plan to kiss but I do think about it if thing goes as I expected.”

This is what I calculated in my untamed mind. You won’t believe that although I hardly pray and asked favor for god but at that darkness I did it. But please don’t think that I am atheism, I do have my own philosophy; that be good and do nothing to harm other, no stealing, robbery, harsh word. Beside all religion seeks the one thing that is “Happiness”.  I am also seeking happiness without any harm to other being. That’s my mantra…

lakeside

Let me tell you, spectacle evening of lakeside, beside the cool lake breeze, the music will burn your dullness, tiredness, boredom, aridity, drabness and dreariness. The enchanting and colorful weather makes your evening more perfect, dreamy and meaningful. Even if you are with your soul mate then there are plenty of ways to express your love. You can nourish yourself as well as can able to give joy to your beloved one.

I was happy, feel like finally my days are coming with full smile. It was already 11 and still no ring and I been waiting and waiting. I don’t know why a clock seems like running slowly, each minute passed like hour. I do some laundry but keep checking my phone even I have loud ringtone. If I keep waiting then I am sure I will die waiting for someone else. I was unable to wait for any more minute as I really wanna spend more time with her, her hand on my hips. I make a call but no response but I keep redial her number for 6 times but still negative. I was furious and my temper and blood pressure became high, angrily I switch off my phone and off to nearby shop and light a cigarette. 

will continue...

500 Miles For One Kiss...6

Dekyi...Karma N Tsewang

I admitted Jampaling school from grade one as a new pinch but Karma was already there laughing with his classmates. After couples of weeks our social madam told us to memories some paragraph from social text book. I still remember the chapter called Parent. Honestly, I learned English when I reached Jampaling, I was 9 at the time. I still remember a sentence from that chapter “Father and Mother are called parents” but at that time, this sentence beat me so badly and I was banished from class and make me stand on the sunny day for whole period. But Karma had easily memorized the paragraph without any difficulty. I though “how can he do that?” I question myself “why I am not like him”

I met Tsewang when I was in grade two, he was brilliant and charming having a friendly smile but he was thin and lean. At the moment, we were just classmate nothing more than that…we played marble together but he prefer to play football more than marble. When we were in grade three, we got fight… I don’t remember the reason behind the mess up and unluckily our headmaster saw us fighting. As a punishment, we both stand upside down by leaning to the wall, just below our head there were dustbin. If we lose our balance or any problem with our hand then our head will go straight into the dustbin. The punishment didn’t last for a whole period luckily. He changed his mind after ten or fifteen minutes and told not to fight. We shake our hand and apologize to each other.

I don’t know when our friendship is exactly formed, as a single continuous drop filled the vessels just like that  with each passing days make us closer and now we are family….harder to leave and impossible to forget and they are my estate. The most I can do for my friend is simple to be their friends forever. If they know that I am happy in loving them, they will want no other reward then my friendship indeed.

I don’t wanna wait longer for the right time to ask for a coffee because I was running out of my holiday plus both Tsewang and Karma had planned a week trip to Mustang and Manang for me. And I don’t wanna lose their esteem toward me. Beside they organize the trip for my felicity and happiness because they knew I love travelling.

That very evening, we were discussing about the trip. I opened my fb account through Tsewang’s phone, luckily she was online.

“Hello…would you like to have a cup of coffee with me…as a friend?”Without any hesitation or faltering, I asked her with heart beating softly on my flat chest.

“Ya, sure…..where are you now?”

“I am at home…give me your location”

“Right now I am in lakeside at N’café just near the Big Bazar”

“O.k…I be there…just give me 10 minutes”

Without any late, I wash my face and grabbed a black jean, white t-shirt and black coat and head toward her. I try to make a good impression as I totally believe in first impression is the last impression. In my mind, I keep arranging sentence with choosing the polite and best words to impress her. So, she might think I am not an ordinary guy. Both Tsewang and Karma granted me a permission to go there as we were in the middle of discussion. Before I reached there, I make a call to Norbu not to bring a cigarette.

As usual she looked fascinating and charismatic and she was accompany by small but cute white dog. I went straight toward her with big smile “You must be expecting someone” “I am kidding….I am Tsering.”  She gave me an appealing smile and I was bewitched seems like she put a hex on me…………………..

“What you like to have?” I subdue my anxiety and asked her politely but I was murmuring. I feel completely at ease and willing to discuss anything when we meet online but when we actually meet face to face, I was unable to talk her easily. I was nervous; my temperature rises up. I took a deep breath silently. Earlier I had taken some trips about meeting face to face from internet to subdue my excitement and anxiety but I was fail to gain confident and relax.

 “Milk coffee” I went toward Norbu give high-five and order the coffee. He gave me victory smile.

“I think…I saw you here” she asked me after a short silence. I was happy that somehow she was able to remember me.

“Ya, I was here when you were….” I didn’t complete my sentence.

 “Would you like to have anything else?” 

“No...no …thanks.”

WILL BE CONTINUE....

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