S for Sanskrit, Sarki, Sikkim, Forest, Trails, Shisha Pangma, Snow and Sherpa
The Sherpas are probably Nepal’s most famous peoples. They live in the Everest and Langtang / Helambu area and count approx. 120,000 people. The Sherpas are of Tibetan origin who have probably immigrated to Nepal within the last 500 years. For the past 50 years, they have become synonymous with mountaineers and mountaineers. And they are also among the best in the world. Some of the largest and most reputable trekking agencies are owned by Sherpas and the Sherpas have become an economic powerhouse in Nepal. They are Buddhists and have a wealth of holidays, including Losar, Dumji, Mani Rimdu and Fangye.
T for Tengpoche, Tamang, Tantra, Thamel, Tibet and not least Trekking
The concept of trek originates from the Boers in South Africa. It means something like “an unpleasant trip over sticks and stones”. Caravans of ox carts that colonized the large areas within Cape Town were called treks. It has then become what we in good Danish call hiking – but often synonymous with the Himalayas.
There are several ways to be a “puller”. You can be a “tea house puller” or a “tent puller” – there are advantages and disadvantages to both.
U for U-Tsang, Ulande, Urdu, the Upanishads and the days of the week
The days of the week in Nepal are as follows: Somabar (Monday), Mangalbar (Tuesday), Budhabar (Wednesday), Bihibar (Thursday), Sukrabar (Friday), Sanibar (Saturday) and Aityabar (Sunday). By the way, Nepal’s calendar is called Bikra Sambat and is shifted by 56 years and 8½ months. Ie. The Nepalese are in the year 2065!
V for Hiking, Roads, VDC, Weather, Vishnu, Varna and Varja
A varja or in Tibetan Dorje (Rdo Rje) is the thunderbolt symbol. It is the closest one comes to a tantric scepter. Varja is a symbol of the unbreakable diamond – the unbreakable of Buddhism. It is often made of brass and is used as a weapon against negative energies.
W of West Bengal and Walung
Walung is a glorious little town in the Arund Valley (Makalu) and part of the Dzimidar area. It is located at the mouth of the Iswa River and consists of upper Walung (or Walungovre) with Sherpas and bhotias as well as Walungbensi (Walungnedre), inhabited almost exclusively by Raier. Tourists only rarely come to this magical part of Nepal.
X for Xinjang (Sinkiang) and Xigatse (Shigatse), here we are inside China’s piyin language in Tibet
Here we move far north. The Gurkhas also tried it in the last century, which did not go well. One can still see the remains of the defenses in southern Tibet, near Mount Everest for the invading soldiers.
Y for Yumbhulakhang, Yangtse, Yarlung Tsangpo, Yakokse, Yersa, Younghusband and Yeti
Who has not heard of the abominable snowman? The word probably comes from the Tibetan words Yeh (snow valley) and Teh (man), ie “snowman”. There are three types of “snowmen”. The approx. 1 meter high Tjuti, the good 1½ meter high Miti and finally the almost 2½ meter high Yeti. The Yeti is reportedly very shy (I have not seen one myself either), but can find a yak ox every now and then. We will not reveal more here!
Z for Zamindar, Zizang and Zi
According to sportsqna, Zi or the Dzi is one of the Himalayas’ most remarkable gems. It dates from 2500 BC. to approx. year 500 and was produced from Persia to India (Pakistan). It is an agate pearl that has been given an alkaline solution on it and burned. It can no longer be produced. The real ones are rare and are considered sacred and auspicious. Prices start from approx. DKK 2,000 and goes up to almost DKK 100,000. There are countless fake specimens throughout the Himalayas, and Kathmandu almost flows with them.
Æ for Eggs, Peas and Apples (Saura)
Apples are a wonderful eat on trekking trips in Nepal. They have come from northern India (Kumaon-Garhwal and Kashmir), with the caravans. The largest apple areas in Nepal are Jumla in the west, Marpha near Annapurna and Helambu north of Kathmandu. These are also inhabited by traditional traders. In Marpha, a glorious apple brandy is roasted that has made many trekkers quite a penny in the head…!
Ø for Øl
A must on any trekking trip in the Himalayas. Among other things. Star, Tuborg, San Miguel, Singha, Kingfisher, Carlsberg and Heineken are available. But perhaps even better the local version of millet or rice beer, called chang. Or the hot version (and more tasty) from East Nepal, called Tongba.
River for Spirits and Streams, called rivers in the Himalayas
Nepal is natural, more or less, divided into nine wide north / south valleys, formed by the great rivers Chamila, Seti, Karnali, Bheri, Kali Gandaki, Trisuli, Sun Kosi, Arun and Tamur. The rivers mentioned are pretty much the only natural “road” between Terai and the Inner Himalayas. Today, almost all rivers are possible destinations for rafting trips, the most famous of which are Trisuli, Seti, Kali Gandaki, Karnali and Sun Kosi.
