Mera Peak Expedition — Spending a day in paradise

The following is a continuation of Mera Peak Expedition — Why Basa matters so much

If arriving in Basa was remarkable, spending a day there was incredible. We slept incredibly well after our prior evening of rahksi and dancing…and rahksi. Even though we were in their home village and they slept in their own homes, the trekking staff continued to show the same hospitality they would later show in the jungle or at 5000 meters. The morning started at sunrise with washing water as always.

Computer training

Computer training for the school children started shortly after breakfast. The day prior we asked Asan, Nanda and Dena to choose five bright children who weren’t close to graduation to come for training. We also asked that they choose students who would be likely to help others learn as well…to become masters instead of experts (experts are smart, but master make others smart).

Despite it being a national holiday, five smartly dressed and groomed children were ready for us at the appointed time.  They were patient and listened carefully as we walked them through the basics of operating a computer. We were very glad to see that the children were both Rai and lower-caste Hindu and both male and female.

They learned extremely quickly and also knew to should out “Masters!” when asked, “Do you want to become experts or masters?” It was an amazing experience to be part of an entirely new experience for these children. Their appetite for learning was remarkable.

While we took care of the training, our teammates toured the power generating station, inspected the cabling from the plant to the homes, and talked with villagers about how the electrification program was going.

Family visits

Once the children had absorbed as much as they could, we moved on to visit the homes of our Basa friends. By the second home, it was clear that we would be expected to drink rahksi in each house, and that our cups would never be empty unless we made an effort to turn down refills. The effort required to navigate the steep terraces increased with each home, likely related to our gradually increasing intake of alcohol.

The visits and the rahksi eventually came to a close and we made our way back to the schoolyard for the last time. We packed our bags and watched as the staff broke down our camp and prepared to leave the village. Though we were ready, we were still a ways from our actual departure. The Village of Basa didn’t intend to let us leave without an appropriate ceremony, complete with visiting school dignitaries and speaches by the elders.

Closing ceremony

We were once again presented with beautiful silk scarves and asked to sit in the shade while different people publicly spoke about our visit and the programs that have resulted in so much managed change in Basa. Sitting among Westerners like Jeff and Mike who had created so much good will among the Basa people was a privilege for Jeanne and I. The entire village was present despite the afternoon heat as the each local dignitary spoke.

Leaving Basa

Once it was time to begin trekking, we once again passed an enormous line of children who presented us with garlands of marigolds, leaves and beautiful purple flowers. We were headed to Adheri, the next village up the Dudh Kosi from Basa, but not before one more home visit with our cook’s family. Purna Rai wouldn’t let us pass Basa 8 without another stop to meet his family and to have more rahksi.

Up next: Mera Peak Expedition — Adheri to Namdolingomba