NAMASTE Namche
"Namaste," said one resident warmly welcomes tourists entering Namche Bazaar (3440 meters above sea
level). One of the most populous village in the foothills of the Himalayas, Nepal is a gate before
climbing Mount
Everest.
Everest towering as high as 8848 meters
above sea level and become
the highest point on earth,
visible from above Namche. Hilly village
is often a haven for
climbers who want
to tread the Everest and other high
peaks in the Himalayas.
Rows of
terraced buildings with windows dominates neatly arranged when we arrived in Namche Bazaar, mid May 2012 then. Dozens of inns and shops lining every
corner besieged tribal
village inhabited Sherpa, Rai, and Tamang
this.
But do not
expect to find vehicles in Namche.
The only roar is heard coming from the generator owned by residents who used to
turn electricity. As a result, this area is still not free from exhaust fumes.
Motorized vehicles in the villages at the foot of the Himalayas deliberately not authorized by the government of Nepal.
The reason for the presence of motorized vehicles may threaten the income of
local residents.
Full of inn
Even without vehicles, tourism is changing the
face of Namche.
Lading-potato fields turned into an inn and
rocky road that
had been deserted by now crowded climbing equipment shops, souvenirs, to the
cafe. The economy grew residents.
Nawang spare (31),
a resident of Namche,
revealed dozens of the inn was built
in Namche most used form of kebuh
potatoes. Now, people
who want to plant potatoes had to go to
another village or finding land
in a higher location.
Anu Sherpa (53),
owner of Himalayan Lodge and one of the community
leaders in Namche, storytelling, Namche began to develop in 1981 marked the establishment
of the inn and shop. "Lodge was the
first stood my wife's called Khumbu Lodge," says Anu.
In 1984, there were five inns in Namche and the
number continues to grow as the
growing number of climbers who come
to the Himalayas. Currently, more
than 60 hotels in
Namche Bazaar. "Our
economy is dependent of the Himalayas," added Anu.
Each year, Namche Bazaar packed with tourists
in April-June and
Everest climbing season
in October-November when the trekking season.
In that period also shops in Namche
open, whereas in
others most of
them closed. "When the quiet months, I usually
use to harvest the potatoes,"
said Pura Sherpa Ang
(33) souvenir shop
owner in Namche.
Most
residents Namche do collect income
when tourists arrive.
Dawa Sherpa (30),
owner of the café, for example, can earn up
to 30,000-40,000 rupees (equivalent to 300.3 US.
dollars) per day
as the arrival of tourists. As usual
in turnover around
100 usd per day.
Namche is located in Solukhumbu district
does have enormous appeal. With beauty of the Himalayas, the
hospitality of the local people's
attitudes, and the unique Tibetan Buddhist culture,
Namche always crowded with tourists and mountaineers from
around the world.
No need to
bother about food. Menu food is not far from restaurants in Indonesia
in general, such as fried rice, boiled noodles, or steak. It's just that most
of the menu using yak meat.
During summer, the weather in Namche
range 5-15 degrees Celsius. There is also the winter can penetrate minus 5
degrees Celsius. However, not to worry because the majority of hotels provide
blankets and hot shower facilities.
Community Namche mostly migrated from
Tibet
boned similar to the Chinese people, the slant-eyed, pale-skinned, and the
average height 160 centimeters. They are also friendly, smiling, and well known
as a strong powerful ethnic Sherpa who used to help the success of the
expedition to Everest.
Hillary trail
Namche Bazaar and villages at the foot of Himalya
becoming known outside world after New
Zealand climber, Edmund Hillary,
along with Sherpa, Tenzing Norgay,
became the first man to successfully summit Everest tread on May 29, 1953. The expedition is named Britain is recorded as
an achievement that is remembered the world.
After its success, Hillary does not directly return to his country. Dai raise
funds for the construction of schools, hospitals, markets, and several places
of worship facilities. No wonder, when Edmund Hillary was worshiped like a king
by the locals for his contribution. "Before Hillary came here there was no
hospital and school in Solukhumbu
district at the foot of the Himalayas," said Anu.
Hence also traces Hillary easily found in this region as the visible monument
statue in a village khumjung senior
high school and known by the name of Hillary School. Name Hillary and Tezing
also immortalized as the name of the airport in Lukla.
To reach Namche Bazaar, you can climb the twin
otter aircraft or Pilate have capacity about 18 people from Kathmandu domestic
airport to airport tensing-Hillary in the village of Lukla with elevations of 2850 meters above sea level.
From Lukla, Namche journey within walking distance of about 7-8 hours. While
walking at altitude should not be too fast because of being part of the
acclimatization process. That way, the body is able to adjust to the low air
pressure and the absence of oxygen.
If the
trip is not in a hurry, hikers or backpackers
generally shelter in Phakding (2,610
masl) before finally proceeding to Namche
can be taken approximately 4-6 hours.
All the way from Lukla towards Namche
full view of the houses that lined up neatly on the banks of the Dudh
Kosi, yak and porter turns crossing the trail while carrying cargo, and
the iron bridge connecting between their separated by hills and rivers.
The scenery is refreshing
eye.
In general, tourists and hikers trekking through the Himalaya using local guides. Travel agents provide a guide to the
price of the package, which includes a climbing permit, porter services, the
cost of lodging, and meals.
To reach the base camp of Everest from
Namche it takes at least 3-4 days walk. Climber or backpacker
can stop at some villages to spend the night as Tyangboche (3,960 masl), Periche
(4,250 masl), and Gorak Shep (5,140
masl), before arriving at Everest base
camp (5,363 masl).
Upon arriving at the base camp Everest,
trekking tourists usually just straight back down to the village after take any
photos. As for the climbers to make a stop at the Everest base camp to aklimitasi while waiting for good weather
before making the climb to the summit.
"Lots of fun and the scenery here. Mountains, fresh air and an amazing
culture, "said Adrian (47), wandering the Romanians who came to Nepal with
his son.
As one climber. "If you've been to the Himalayas,
you always want to come back again."
