NAMASTE Namche
By Harry Susilo, executive summary by darmansjah
"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.
Everesttoweringas high as8848meters above sea levelandbecomethe highest pointon earth, visible from aboveNamche. Hillyvillageis oftena havenforclimberswhowant totread theEverestandother high peaksin the Himalayas.
Rows of terraced buildings with windows dominates neatly arranged when we arrived in Namche Bazaar, mid May 2012 then. Dozens ofinnsand shopsliningeverycornerbesiegedtribalvillageinhabitedSherpa, Rai, andTamangthis.
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 ofinn
Even withoutvehicles, tourismischanging the face ofNamche. Lading-potato fields turnedinto an innandrockyroadthat had beendesertedbynow crowdedclimbing equipmentshops, souvenirs, to the cafe. The economygrewresidents.
Nawangspare(31), a resident of Namche, revealed dozens ofthe inn was builtinNamchemostusedform ofkebuhpotatoes. Now,peoplewhowant to plantpotatoeshad to goto another villageorfinding land ina higher location.
AnuSherpa(53), owner ofHimalayanLodgeand one of thecommunity leadersinNamche, storytelling, Namchebegan to developin 1981markedtheestablishment ofthe inn andshop. "Lodge wasthe firststoodmywife'scalledKhumbuLodge," says Anu.
In 1984, there werefiveinns inNamcheand the number continuesto grow asthe growing number ofclimberswho come tothe Himalayas. Currently, morethan 60hotelsinNamcheBazaar. "Our economyisdependentof the Himalayas," added Anu.
Each year, NamcheBazaarpacked withtouristsinApril-JuneandEverestclimbingseasoninOctober-Novemberwhenthe trekkingseason. In that periodalsoshops inNamcheopen, whereasinothersmostof themclosed. "When the quietmonths, I usually use toharvest thepotatoes," said PuraSherpaAng(33)souvenirshop ownerinNamche.
Most residentsNamchedo collectincomewhentouristsarrive.DawaSherpa(30), owner ofthe café, for example, can earnup to30,000-40,000rupees(equivalent to 300.3US.dollars) perday asthearrival oftourists. Asusualinturnoveraround 100usdperday.
Namcheis locatedinSolukhumbudistrictdoes haveenormousappeal. With beauty of theHimalayas, the hospitality of the localpeople's attitudes, and theuniqueTibetanBuddhistculture, Namchealways crowded withtouristsandmountaineersfrom around the world.
No need to bother about food. Menu food is not far from restaurants in Indonesiain 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 Namcherange 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 Tibetboned 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 Himalyabecoming 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 expeditionis namedBritainis recordedas an achievementthat is rememberedthe 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 backpackersgenerally shelter in Phakding (2,610 masl) before finally proceeding to Namchecan be taken approximately 4-6 hours.
All the way from Lukla towards Namchefull 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 backpackercan 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."
