roshnikakadThe choice that counts
Long ago on a drive with a friend, I was holding onto a plastic wrapper from a snack I had while we were in the car. I’d asked him to pull over if any dumpster came along the way.
“Just throw it outside the window!”, he said. “This city’s anyway polluted with crap around us everywhere!” I then debated, “how would that make me any different from the rest of the people who made it this way? I’d rather not contribute to their damages.” A breath later, it made sense to him.
3000 meters above convenience
I stayed at an ashram nested 3000 meters atop of a mountain in the Gulmi district of Nepal. Being remotely located, this hidden gem has limited access to daily necessities. Certain supplies are brought usually every fortnight on a 4×4, navigated with precision driving through off-roads that lead up to the mountain.
Electricity was partially generated via solar panels. For hot baths we’d have the water heated in a big cast iron kettle over a traditional mud brick stove, which we’d then fill into a bucket and carry it few yards across to our guest house.
Despite being geographically crippling, the ashram is extremely self reliant like most of Nepal, where agriculture is a lifeline. They have their own organic farm spread across 200 *ropanies, and a cow shed as well (thanks to which I had the best freshly churned butter in Nepal).
The little things we can always control
On one occasion we helped pick up whatever trash we found in and around the ashram vicinity, which was sadly the doing of local (educated) youngsters from a nearby town who’d make a visit up the mountains over the weekends.
I’m no environmental activist but I’m mindful of the little habits within my capacity to make a difference. Switch off the lights when you don’t need it, don’t let the water run while brushing your teeth, keep chewing that gum like a cow till you get home, instead of throwing it outside the car window.
When darkness teaches you to see
Some nights, the power would be out and we’d huddle around a small bon fire. Neon green dots would start to appear around us. Gradually, these dots would float in clusters. I saw fireflies for the first time in my life! And all I could think was, ‘this world’s a beautiful place even in the darkest night.’
