We Already Are Where We Are

As we were leaving the Muktinath temple on our way back to the village of Kagbeni, my daughter reached the entrance gate and said, “We already are where we are.” Certainly, she meant that we had returned back to where we started but I was so charmed by this statement. It has become a mantra in a way. Each time we reached a place we had been before, I found myself saying it. We are where we are and we keep coming back. A metaphor of sorts.

As I mentioned in a previous post, my husband and I went on the Annapurna trek exactly 20 years ago. We did it in reverse this time, flying into Jomsom and walking back to Ghasa. It was my goal to make it up to Muktinath since we were unable to reach there the last time due to the all too common traveler’s sickness. It was wonderful to be back here with our children despite some of the challenges with the road. Development in the area has certainly had a negative impact for trekkers, but we were able to find alternative trails that avoided the dusty and often times dangerous road.

Rather than bore you dear readers, with a full trip report, I offer these visuals. I did spend some extra time to caption the images if you are so inclined.

 

S.T.A.L (short take off and landing) flight from Pokhara to Jomsom

18 seater

Flying through the mountains you feel as if you could reach out and touch them.

Thumbs up from the pilot is what you want to see

Runway in sight

Queue for the next flight.

The village of Jomsom

 

Starting out from Jomsom

Village of Thini

View from Thini

Shepherd on the Kaligundagi River Basin

Bus wash

Carrying water to make Chaang

 

On the road to Muktinath

Walking past abandoned barrels of tar used for paving the road.

Dusty roads leading to Kagbeni

Roadside Gompa

Donkey transport

Mother and child along the roadside between Kagbeni and Jharkot.

 

Carrying prod.uce in baskets

Respite from the road

Trail found after leaving Jharkot

Gompas

 

Young monk studying at the monastery in Marpha

Break between classes

Chering taking a break

 

Dog in Kagbeni

Curious bull in Thini village

Rooftop sheep

Good morning from the rooftop of the world!

Namaste Dog

Don’t follow the herd