“Parents are like a god…there is no difference.” - I’ll never forget this sentiment. It’s not often we hear anyone utter such a profound statement while maintaining a countenance which furthers the sanctity of its context. These words were spoken by my trekking guide, Ratna this past autumn as we made our way through the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal. After two weeks experiencing the best and worst of each season, nearly 100 miles hiked and 17,000 feet gained then lost, endless new friends, and thee most majestic views… we reached our final day.
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As our journey culminated with our final descent we found ourselves within the tender embrace of the Muktinath Temple, a sacred home for both Hindu and Buddhists practitioners. Ratna mentioned his parent’s lifelong wish of visiting this mystic place before it’s too late. The way in which he described their longing for this sojourn reminded me of a Muslim’s pilgrimage to Mecca, Hajj. We proceeded to bathe under the 108 cleansing fountains then made our way through the temple grounds as we reflected on our journey. Well I was probably the only one reflecting on the trek as it’s pretty run of the mill for Ratna. We ended the day in my favorite fashion, taking in a sunset from the base of the towering Buddha statue overlooking the expansive horizon.
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From the comfort of our cozy bus seats, Ratna escorts me to our final destination. His elbow nudges my ribs, his smile extends, and his index finger points to a lone trekker wrestling a mini tornado of dirt. As my chuckle subsides, I feel a deep sense of honor bubble up in having begun this trip as guide and client but finishing as dear friends. He is a strong soul who continues to suffer through great trial. His family’s lifestyle was utterly ravaged by earthquakes, which destroyed his home and forced his parents, wife, and three children to live under tents. I had been reflecting on a way to show him my deep sense of gratitude, something other than the customary monetary tip. So as an extra gratuity, I decided to help make his parent’s lifelong wish a reality by gifting them plane tickets to visit Muktinath.
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