10 Days in the Himalayas

What an amazing time dispite the political situation there. Our first conference just over the border was in a rented hall. We had to travel some kilometers to get there and back each day. Here strikes happen at any time that shut down the entire countryside, no shops are open and any vechicle found driving on the road during the strike is burnt. The week before we were there in the next district 24 busses and trucks were burnt out as they tried to break the strike. The Maoists have a strong hold over the country areas. Their slogans are painted everywhere.

The next conference was nearly cancelled due to the strike as where we were to stay was 10km from the church and we would not have been able to travel. There were no local hotels suitable and being late in the evening we went to the church where we were welcomed and given clean rooms to stay for the conference. This worked well as no one could travel during the strike and God saw that the conference was able to continue. The night before the conference we went bvack into the town for a meal where we had to drive through a demonstrating mob of young people, torches alight and very angry. We were told if we were out tomorrow our truck would be burnt. Fortunatly the conference was on the same time as the strike so we stayed put and had a wonderful time. There was one pastor who has not been able to get back to Kathmandu for 2 weeks due to the rolling strikes around the different regions.

Here we saw on our arrival was a huge mound of CHILLI, ginger and garlic outside our rooms. IS THIS JUST FOR 3 DAYS!!! Yes it was.

Due to the strike and our late arrival mattress' and blankets were hard to find. I let the ladies have the blankets as I had a silk liner to sleep in. It wasn't too cccccoooollllllddddd. The last night was luxury as I had a blanket but it was a short night as we had to leave at 4am to get to the next place before the next strike became effective. God's blessing wasd on us as we had a weeks grace and were able to travel unhindered. Rumours of strikes keep the people in constant fear and yet once again we were on alert to move at a moments notice, but we had a days grace so some shopping was done and back to the boarder and home to India.

This trip back to the boarder saw several bus loads of people crowded onto the roof must be getting warmer now. How do I get to ride up top instead of in this tin cage?


Back at the hotel in Siliguri I tried to phone the Mrs as our schedual had been so busy for the last couple of weeks and once again got the answerphone. But the next day I got through YAHOO was it great to hear her voice again. Half an hour was 380 rupees but money well worth handing over. Not long to go now and good ol NZ will be welcoming me home.

I am sure that I will be back, I LOVE the mountains and their people.