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.