All in the name of world peace

I arrived in Pokhara, Nepal’s second city, set on a lake, much calmer than chaotic Kathmandu. I decided to take a boat ride with a guide,Guarij. I’m not sure if that is how you spell his name, because he did not go to any school. He learned to speak English working with tourists. He says he earns enough to feed his family, but not save any money. Many young men his age are working in other countries and send money home. His dream is that his daughters will get an education and be able to work in another country.

We went to a little island in the lake with a little temple. No big deal. It was getting late, but I asked if we could cross the lake, so I could climb the mountain to the more impressive Peace Pagoda. He said I would have to climb fast to make it back before dark, No problem. I started up the stairs and more stairs. I stopped counting after 1,000 stairs, huffing and puffing. Anyway, I finally made it to the Buddhist stupa that is known as the Peace Pagoda, which was a gift from Japanese monks. I hurried up, all for world peace! But on the way down I took a wrong turn (I didn’t remember crossing a creek!), and came back late, but fortunately Guarij waited for me and we went across the lake in the dark.Read more