#Nepal

Right now l am on the Salkantay trek and get to see Machu Pichuu tomorrow. Despite this amazing prospect I feel desperately sad - sad for the people of Nepal. At the best of times life is hard for them and no one helps them much. For many life is brutal but despite this they are warm and friendly and wonderfully stoic and modest. What they are facing now is just tragically unfair. They deserve this less than perhaps any nation on earth. Heartfelt love and respect for the people of Nepal. May their Gods bless them and help them for once.

Post script. I have thought about my feelings regarding this tragedy some more. I feel some guilt. The trekking world should too. Why? We have abused the Nepalese - we have not REALLY helped them. Certainly the massive and growing trekking business brings in a lot of $ to this very poor country. There are hundreds of trekking companies competing for business ( many not actually Nepalese ). Ok. The average trekker treats the Nepalese porters kindly and maybe offers a well received tip. OK. But deep down we trekkers know what the Nepalese porters are being asked to do for us is unfair. They carry huge weights in rugged high altitude territory. They are generally barely adequately equipped. They are first up - last to eat - last to bed while we sit around and recover and relax. We actually exploit them although we convince ourselves we don't. The guilt is made worse by the fact they are so obliging and willing and nice. Thinking about the porters now. What desperate situation might they be in. We need to do much better by them and for them.