My Beautiful Struggle on the Annapurna

[npnews]

My Beautiful Struggle on the Annapurna

By Jonathan Liebling

While the majority of Nepalese spent the Dashain festivals by exchanging gifts and enjoying the company of family and friends, this American intern made the decision to venture the grueling Annapurna region.

http://www.nepalnews.com.np/archive/2008/others/feature/oct/news_feature02.php

[Sudesh]

As I was reading through your op-ed in nepalnews.com, I began to realize people like you and be can be referred as “the globalize-ed bunch”. I am not sure of the right definition of globalization, as it is most often inline with the economic structures, but what I mean here is the exchange of individuals from one country to another. We each have discovered beauty in different places of the world. The visually stunning beauty of Nepal only made me understand the domestic beauty of Nepal; I never understood the beauty that existed outside of Nepal. 

I was born and raised in Nepal and came to America when I was 13. I will not say that I fell in love with America as soon as I stepped in America, but slowly as the years went by and I started grasping the concept of the American constitution, the declaration of independence and the American ideals; I fell in love with America. Just how the natural beauty of Nepal made you appreciate the beauty that exists around the world, understanding the American ideals from the United States Constitution and the declaration of independence has made me more open towards opinion of other people. Also, in the documents I found the simplicity in American life. What I mean by the “simplicity in American life” is that a President here is just given the title President. The most powerful man is not considered a living god or superior to any man on the street; inversely he can be called dumb and made fun of publicly. Also George Washington, who was a popular and powerful figure at the time, only ran for office twice where as he could have done that many times and remain on power.   

Americans have their faults but their belief in fairness is very strong.  And the Blacks and Native Americans who have nurtured America since her birth can only teach you the lesson of patience and compromise. Man like Martin Luther King who understood that oppressed ones who lived in America derived love for their country from the ideals that was printed in the documents. Therefore, the love for democracy, belief and faith in individual men and trying to understand the diversity of the world is in my opinion a culture that is uniquely American, and it can be found on the documents that gave birth to this country.

As you found the beauty in Nepal through its mountains and Himalayas, my experience in America that has made me understand the opinion of the world, which in turn gives you, unsurpassed ability to appreciate art, culture, diversions, and the beauty of the world.
   
Sudesh
Mayport, Florida.

[Arjun_archer]

"I was born and raised in Nepal and came to America when I was 13"

This is quote from Sudesh's comment. what I found is love of each other's culture and values. This is true brotherhood and love that develops when you understand the countries and cultures and tradition of the people there. From Sudesh's comment I could smell kind of frustration and hatred towards Nepalese politician and the tradition that some humans( Kumari?) are worshipped as goddess. I may be wrong, though; please correct me if I am. Sudesh I think you may be very highly educated and wise. That's what made Nepal Nepal. This is the only religion where women are worshipped as deity. The people,out of their simplicity and faith, believe that the person is above all once he/she reaches the top most position and he/she can't make mistakes.

Anyway I was delighted to read both your's and Jonathan's appreciation of freedom and natural beauty. Afterall we love and long for what we miss.
Arjun
Sydny

[shresthasameer]

Jonathan, it's good to read your experience in Nepal. Yes, Nepal is a heaven in Earth. There are many other places you need to visit to explore the real Nepal. It must be difficult for you to understand the Nepalese culture, but believe me we are equally kind and friendly to foreigners as we are to our brothers and sisters. I have also found the same here in America. I've been here in Columbus, Ohio since August 2008 and have found very wonderful American friends.

You can also read my experience in US at http://shresthasameer.blogspot.com/ under the title 50 Days Away from Home.