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HimalayaNet Archives (May 2003 and earlier)
HimalayaNet #68 (February 23, 2000)

Namaste, and welcome to the 68th edition of HimalayaNet, the online
newsletter of the Himalayan Explorers Club.

My journey to the Everest Region from mid- December through mid-January was
far too short but full of unforgettable experiences. The warmth and bravery
of our Sherpa guides will stay with me forever.

Thanks to Scott for managing HimalayaNet while I was away!

We continue to receive mail from HEC members following the January #67
Special Issue: "Volunteerism: Coaches Vs. Players." We have included three
responses from HEC members who have, and continue to volunteer in Nepal.
There are also travel updates from Jamie McGuinness. I have included
information about the heightened airport security at Tribhuvan Airport.

Congratulations to the film "Caravan," which was recently nominated for an
Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. This is the first Nepali film
to receive such an honor. I have reprinted a review of the film which
appeared in HimalayNet #64.

Please remember to send all contributions to himnet@hotmail.com. Please also
remember to include your membership number if you'd like to post a message.

Kathie A. Mears
HimalayaNet Moderator


IN THIS ISSUE:

1. HEC SEEKS ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR BRIDGE PROJECT
2. TRAVEL UPDATES FROM JAMIE MCGUINNESS
2A. DOMESTIC AIRFARE CHANGES IN NEPAL
2B. NEW GOVERNMENT OFFICE HOURS
2C. LUKLA RUNWAY UPDATE
2D. ANNAPURNA (ACAP) ENTRY PERMITS STILL NECESSARY
3. WOODY STRONG, PHILANTHROPIST, DIES AT 85
4. AIRPORT SECURITY HEIGHTENED AT TRIBHUVAN AIRPORT
5. VOLUNTEERING IN NEPAL: MEMBERS RESPOND
5A. LESSONS LEARNED
5B. RESPECT FOR OTHERS IS NEEDED
5C. LIBRARY PROJECT IN BADEL
6. NEPAL'S FIRST ACADEMY AWARD-NOMINATED FILM
7. SEARCHING FOR MISSING TRAVELER JOHN NEAMTU
8. HEC MEMBER THANKS READERS FOR LOCATING NEPALI CHILD
9. HEC MEMBERS LOOKING FOR TRAVEL COMPANIONS/ADVICE
9A. SEEKING PARTNER FOR MAKALU TO MERA TREK
9B. NEEDS TRAVEL TIPS/GUIDE REFERRALS: KALA PATTAR TREK
9C. EXPERIENCE USING IRIDIUM SATELLITE PHONE?
9D. MEDICAL STUDENT SEEKS HIGH-ALTITUDE RESEARCH
10. MALPI INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL SEEKS TEACHERS
11. ADVENTUROUS TRAVELER BOOKSTORE SPONSORSHIP

12. CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING SECTION
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
HOW TO UNSUBSCRIBE TO HIMALAYANET
HOW TO SUBSCRIBE TO HIMALAYANET
HOW TO POST ON HIMALAYANET
HIMALAYAN EXPLORERS CLUB MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION
HOW TO ADVERTISE ON HIMALAYANET

************************************************************************

1. HEC SEEKS ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR BRIDGE PROJECT

HEC member Ken Stober of Portland, Oregon, has generously offered to
guarantee funding for the Sewangma bridge project. The project, to be
completed in December 2000, will construct a new bridge across the Dudh Kosi
near the village of Sewangma. The new bridge will shorten the walk for
children to get to school from over three hours to just 35 minutes each way.

Ken visited and crossed the existing footbridge in 1998, while participating
on a trek with Pemba Sherpa of Denver, Colorado. According to Ken, "Pemba's
family and friends at the village were great hosts when we visited. I wanted
to support Pemba's efforts in helping to provide a bridge for the people of
Sewangma"

So, with the HEC Sewangma Bridge Project underway, and we are now seeking
participants in a voluntary advisory committee to assist us. Specifically,
we are looking for:

a) Those with direct experience (or recommendations) for firms that have
constructed bridges in Nepal or Asia
b) An architect or engineer to assist with planning and design
c) Those with project management experience with contractors or engineering
firms
d) Assistance lining up potential sponsors
e) Participants to join the trek and bridge construction

Anyone interested please contact the HEC at info@mountainexplorers.org

************************************************************************

2. TRAVEL UPDATES FROM JAMIE MCGUINNESS

2A. DOMESTIC AIRFARE CHANGES IN NEPAL

After many years without change, domestic airfares have risen 10% from
January 1, 2000. Fares are due to rise by another 10% September 1, 2000. The
exception is Royal Nepal (RA) who have not yet raised their fares. So
current fares from Kathmandu are:

Lukla $91 (RA fare $83)
Pokhara $67 (RA fare $61)
Nepalganj $109 (RA fare $99)

The mountain flight now costs $109 (RA fare $99, but they don't normally run
them.
Pokhara to Jomsom is now $61 (RA fare $50).

A return ticket costs double the one way fare but for thru flights such as
Kathmandu-Nepalganj-Dunai there are special fares.

2B. NEW GOVERNMENT OFFICE HOURS

Government offices in Nepal moved from the six day working week to a Monday
to Friday (five day) working week with hours set at 9am to 5pm during summer
and 9am to 4pm during winter.

Embassies, INGO and some NGO offices and banks (apart from Thamel exchange
counters) have mostly followed suit.

2C. LUKLA RUNWAY UPDATE

A while ago it was mentioned that Lukla airstrip might be closed for one and
one-half-years for resurfacing this popular runway. This got more than a few
people hot around the collar, so Civil Aviation backed off and came up with
a scheme whereby it would remain open from 1pm-4pm throughout the season,
which would still severely upset the trekking season, not something the
locals or the trekking companies want.

So here is the latest. The strip will remain open September 15 to January 1
as usual and then close for at least a few months while they finish off the
work.

2D. ANNAPURNA (ACAP) ENTRY PERMITS STILL NECESSARY

For the past few months Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) entry
permits have been available from the ACAP checkpoints. Starting this month,
however, trekkers visiting the Annapurna area must pay for their permits
before entering the Annapurna Conservation Area. Note this is not a trekking
permit: all the money goes to support ACAP, which offers a comprehensive
program of reforestation and forest management, community development
projects, wildlife studies, and conservation education. Entry permits are
available in Thamel (Kathmandu) and Pokhara.

************************************************************************

3. WOODY STRONG, PHILANTHROPIST, DIES AT 85

Woody Strong, the Coloradan who helped provide medical care for thousands of
people in Nepal during the past 18 years, died on January 27, 2000. Strong,
85, had insisted on making one last trip to Nepal - his 33rd - in November
to attend the wedding of a girl he considered an adopted granddaughter, even
though he was seriously ill. Strong and his wife, Penny, returned from Nepal
on December 12, and he went directly from the airport to Penrose Hospital.

Strong's projects, which began when he was 69, were widespread throughout
Nepal. They included building nine schools, two libraries, two health posts,
and opening a tuberculosis and respiratory hospital. His projects ranged in
cost from $5,000 for each school to $65,000 for the hospital. Children, the
elderly, and the disabled were the recipients of his special attention.

Strong was cremated on February 5, 2000, and his ashes were scattered near
his home in Lake George, Colorado. A portion will also go to the Mount
Everest region and to the Ghoom Monastery in Darjeeling, where he was
married. A memorial service was held at the Montview Presbyterian Church in
Denver.

Contributions can be made to the Woody Strong Scholarship Fund at the
Pennwood Charitable Foundatio, PO Box 550, Lake George, CO, 80827. Donations
are tax-deductible.

************************************************************************

4. AIRPORT SECURITY HEIGHTENED AT TRIBHUVAN AIRPORT

In the aftermath of the Indian Air hijacking on December 24, 1999, security
at Tribhuvan, Nepal's only international airport, has been heightened,
especially for those departing the country. All sharp items in passenger
carry-on luggage are being confiscated. This includes (but is not limited
to) Swiss Army knives, scissors, nail scissors or files, and trekking poles.
Please be sure to pack these (and any other items that may be viewed as a
weapon by airport security) in your checked luggage. There were a dozen
passengers on our flight to Bangkok (including myself) who had these items
confiscated.

Passengers are also required to undergo two body searches: the first at the
carry-on x-ray station and the second is just prior to boarding. On my
departure date, January 17, we were also required to identify our luggage,
which was spread out on the tarmac, before boarding our flight.

Kathie A. Mears
himnet@hotmail.com

[And an update from the investigation into the hijacking, from the Kathmandu
Post]

The investigation committee formed to look into the alleged security lapses
at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) on the day of Indian Airlines
hijacking has recommended that the government take strong action against 18
officials posted at the airport.

If officials at TIA had been adequately vigilant, the hijacking could have
been possibly avoided, Minister of Civil Aviation Bijaya Gachchhedar told
reporters today after he read parts of the commission report.

"Procedures required for the strong departmental action, which may include
firing to filing criminal cases, will start from today," Gachchhedar said at
a press conference in Kathmandu.

The report, however, has stated that the security arrangements at the
country's only international airport on December 24 were in keeping ICAO
(International Civil Aviation Organization) standards.

He said, "While their (the hijackers') flight coupons and embarkation cards
show that they are Indians, the developments that followed after the
hijacking do not rule out chances that they registered under fake names and
nationality."

According to the probe report, there is not adequate evidence to establish
that the hijackers were carrying sophisticated weapons and that they had
entered the IC 814 from Katmandu. The only death of Indian national Rupin
Katyal aboard the ill-fated flight has been attributed to knife wounds.

When asked to elaborate the recommendations made by the committee,
Gachchhedar said other major recommendations range from updating metal
detectors, x-ray and other devices at the airport to removing duty-free
shops and restaurants from the departure lounge. The committee has also
recommended a fool-proof partition wall to separate incoming and outgoing
passengers.

He said that the probe report is silent on the alleged involvement of a
Nepali national in the hijacking, and the possibility of the hijackers
slipping into the Indian Airlines aircraft from the airport tarmac, shortly
after arriving on the Pakistan International Airlines flight from Karachi.

************************************************************************

5. VOLUNTEERING IN NEPAL

5A. LESSONS LEARNED

I have enjoyed reading the article about volunteer work in Nepal together
with comments from other readers and it brings to mind some lessons I have
learned since my work with Third World people back in the 50's, before the
days of the Peace Corps. By the way, the Peace Corps was a response to the
difficulties our arrogance produced in those days.

The first lesson is: "no involvement, no commitment". It appears that the
author did a magnificent job in preparing a well thought out and designed
plan. What might have worked better would have been for the expert to assist
by evoking the villagers to come up with their own plan.

My experience in Southeast Asia showed me that the people were enthusiastic
about implementing plans which they had arrived at. This experience was
gleaned after 10 years of frustration in trying to get the people to do
things "our way". In those early days, we only sent people who spoke French,
believing that was a shortcut to communication, since so many people in SE
Asia spoke French after 400 years of French presence. We failed to notice
that the people had their own language and culture which they valued and our
arrogance ignored their input.

I think it so very important for us to support economic development where
there is a genuine desire by the people effected to have change while
valuing what they already have. I do not see our western materialism as a
model to be imposed on the rest of the world. Family, communication, support
and nurture of each other are important values of the Nepalese villagers
which we could do well to encourage in the USA.

I admire and respect all of you who have extended yourselves to work as
volunteers in underdeveloped countries.

Namaste,
Richard Bolen

5B. RESPECT FOR OTHERS IS NEEDED

I was so horrified by the article last month that I felt unable to respond.
Now, having read some of the responses, I need to speak up. People in Third
World countries ought to do what we say? Ought to have our values? Ought to
want our advice? Seek our supervision? And then be grateful for our
know-it-all intrusion?

Visiting, whether it's to a neighbor's home or to another country, requires
heavy-duty listening and watching before one can, even then, presume to
offer suggestions for change. How dare one visitor remark that people might
choose to live in garbage-filled streets!

What happened to respect for others? Who gave us the right to judge them?
Too often (and maybe without consciously knowing it) those who think they
are helping do so for the sense of power it awards them rather than for the
growth of dignity it may give to others.

Jeanie Gould

5C. LIBRARY PROJECT IN BADEL

My friend, Margaret Roche, and I had a very different experience from that
described by most of your correspondents. I think the difference lies in the
fact that our involvement was inspired by a desire first expressed by a
Nepali: that we set out to help him realize his dream, that he continued to
be the major force in making it happen and that our involvement was limited
to raising money, bringing supplies, garnering information and showing a
continuing interest.

In 1993 Buddi Rai, our guide, told us that his dream was to start a library
in his home village of Badel, a Rai village in the eastern hills. In 1994,
Marge and I returned to Nepal with $450, about 100 children's books in
English (most of them used), and various library supplies. Buddi found a
room in his brother-in-law's house to serve as the library, bought 250 new
books in Nepali, and hired a part-time librarian. We helped put plackets in
the books, mended those that needed it, and worked with villagers who made
cards for each book.

In 1996, Marge and I returned to Nepal, this time with $3,300, most of
which had been raised from sponsors of my half-marathon run (in the Everest
Challenge Marathon) that I ran outside of Darjeeling.

Marge and I came back to Badel in 1998, where we were privileged to take
part in the ground-breaking ceremony for the new building. The building has
now been erected, the library has more than 2,000 books, and both children
and adults have been using the facility. Not everything has gone as quickly
as we would have liked, but early on we resolved that our role was to
midwife this project, not to be its parents. This is up to the local people.
So far as we know, the librarian has still not received the training and the
local committee has not instituted any income-producing projects, the
solar energy unit has not been installed, and the room in the new building
set aside for a dispensary has not yet been staffed by a medical worker or
equipped with first-aid supplies.

If anyone would like to contribute money, books or medical supplies to the
library, contact me at SallyWendkosOlds@compuserve.com or Marge Roche at
namastemr@aol.com, and we will direct you to the right person either in the
U.S. or Kathmandu, who can deliver them.

Sally Wendkos Olds
SallyWendkosOlds@compuserve.com

************************************************************************

6. NEPAL'S FIRST ACADEMY AWARD-NOMINATED FILM

On February 15, "Caravan" became Nepal's first Academy-Award nominee for
Best Foreign Language Film. We reprint a review of the film by Kanak Mani
Dixit, Himal magazine, Kathmandu Valley.

CARAVAN
A film by Eric Valli
Cinemascope, 104 min, October 1999

It is natural in these days of cinematic Himalayan hype to be skeptical
about yet another celluloid offering on the 'exotic' Shangri La-esque
communities and landscapes of the Tibetan plateau and surrounding areas. It
was therefore a pleasant surprise to find in Eric Valli's "Caravan," a
story, simply and powerfully told.

Eric Valli is a photographer-adventurer now turned cinematographer who,
before this, has ventured into deep (sometimes officially forbidden)
Himalayan valleys to come away with little photographic fables, such as on
the "honey hunters" of the Gurung heartland of central Nepal. This time
around, Valli has teamed up with Galatee Films (whose very first production
was Costa-Gavras' 'Z' in 1968), to produce a feature film on the salt
traders of Chharka and Tarap in the Tibetan rimland of Dolpo, politically
within Nepal.

Thinley is a tradition-bound village chieftain now past his prime, who has
led yak caravans over the dangerous high passes that lead down to the rongba
(lowlander) country of midhill Nepal, continuing a centuries-old tradition
of exchanging salt for grain. His son, Lhakpa, who was expected to take over
the reigns of village leadership, dies in an accident. As far as most of the
villagers are concerned, Lhakpa's friend, the proud and handsome Karma, is
the natural choice to lead the next caravan to the south.

In Karma, we have the impatient modern-day non-believer. He rounds up the
village youth and starts the caravan journey south before the village seer
says it is time. Thinley, on the other hand, decides to follow the oracle
and dictates of age-old belief, even though both he nor his lead yak Nygimpo
are no longer their youthful selves. The story of "Caravan" is founded on
the tension which swirls around Thinley and Karma, as the two lead their
followers and families separately on the perilous trans-Himalayan journey.

"Caravan" was filmed entirely 'on location' between September 1997 and July
1998, in Dolpo's challenging terrain. This extended period in the field
required the crew to play games with Nepali bureaucracy to get the footage
it wanted. The absence of elaborate studio sets enhances the film's
authentic feel.

While resisting the temptation of providing ethnographic documentary
evidence, "Caravan" is nevertheless successful in presenting the natural
rhythms of the Dolpopas' life-cycle through the fictional script. The
sensitive script was written with the assistance of Olivier Dazat.

Like the Imax film "Everest," "Caravan" obviously holds the potential of
generating tourists for Nepal's High Himalaya. Through its more nuanced
presentation, Valli's film is bound to enchant viewers worldwide, but it
will also generate better understanding for harsh livelihoods in the hidden
valleys of the Himalayan rimland. His Majesty's Government and others would
do well to make plans for the touristic fallout of "Caravan" (though it will
certainly not be to the scale of Everest) so that the people of Dolpo, in
particular, benefit.

It is ironic that the very week that Caravan premiered in Kathmandu, UNICEF
and the government began an advertising blitz in their ongoing campaign to
fight goitre and cretinism with iodised salt in the kingdom. Powdered salt,
imported from the coast of Gujarat rather than the salt pans of Tibet, are
seen as the best medium to spread iodine throughout the population. Indeed,
the subsidised spread of iodised Indian salt for the sake of Nepali public
health is one of several reasons that the salt caravans of Dolpo themselves
are a dying tradition. And its eventual disappearance is what seems to have
compelled Eric Valli to document this unique kind of trans-Himalayan trade.

Director Valli has said that the life of the Dolpopa does not have to be
romanticized, and so he does pander to the overseas viewer by hyping the
romance of high plateau. "This film is a sort of a western, a Tibetan
western, " says Valli. He adds, "This saga of power, pride and glory might
have taken place, just as well, in the seas of Japan, in the Normandy
plains, or deep in Texas." Fortunately for us of the Himalaya, it takes
place in Dolpo.

************************************************************************

7. SEARCHING FOR MISSING TRAVELER JOHN NEAMTU

The following information was sent to us from HEC member Dr. Ken Zafren and
is from the World Tibetan Network.

I am a Canadian looking for my nephew, John Neamtu. We have received
credible information that he could be studying at the Sera JE Monastery in
South India. I am trying to find an e-mail address, but cannot find one. If
anyone knows of an e-mail address for the Sera Monastery, it will be greatly
appreciated.

John Neamtu's grandfather passed away on November11th, 1999 and we have been
trying to locate him since then. After a lengthy investigation, we found
that on November 12, 1999, John purchased a flight ticket from British
Airways in Delhi, but we do not yet know to where.(We obtained copies of his
now-delinquent Visa bill). John has not used his Visa card since November
12, 1999. That is where the trail ends. The Canadian Foreign Affairs Dept.
has been advised and they are doing their utmost to help us.

We have issued a missing persons report with the Canadian authorities. We
have not heard from John since his departure from Canada on October 15,
1999, and are very worried. He has gone to India in the past and always sent
word or called with his whereabouts.

John Neamtu is 27 years-old, 2.1 meters tall, and very slim. He is a
Buddhist. I would appreciate any help you could offer. Thank You.

Norman Leroux
Normel@onlink.net
or call collect at (705) 267-1017
205 Viscount Ave.
Timmins, Ontario
CANADA P4R 1G2

************************************************************************

8. HEC MEMBER THANKS READERS FOR LOCATING NEPALI CHILD

In the December '99 newsletter, many of you read my request for help in
finding a Nepalese girl I had met in 1997. I have had many responses and
offers to help locate the girl, so that it could be determined if she would
be eligible for an education sponsorship.

I am happy to report that one of the readers has located the young girl and
spoken with her family. She and a teacher friend are in the process of
visiting schools to determine a suitable one. I am so grateful. I want to
say thanks to all who e-mailed me and offered to help in the search.

Rosie Ritchison
justrose@kiva.net

************************************************************************

9. HEC MEMBERS LOOKING FOR TRAVEL COMPANIONS/ADVICE

9A. SEEKING PARTNER FOR MAKALU TO MERA TREK

>From late April until late May 2000, I would like to make the trek from
Tumlingtar to Lukla via Makalu Base Camp, Sherpani Col, and Mera La. En
route I would like to climb either Baruntse, Chamlang, and/or Mera based on
the experience of partner identified.

Please contact me if you are interested in joining me on this route. I
prefer to keep the party small and as self-sufficient as possible.

Chad Ovel
chadovel@hotmail.com
00-977-1-434820 in Kathmandu

9B. NEEDS TRAVEL TIPS/GUIDE REFERRALS: KALA PATTAR TREK

A friend and I are planning a trip from Lukla to Kala Pattar in November
2000. We are planning a tea house trek and will use a guide and two porters.
We are looking for any guide referrals to check out and also, any tips,
advice, etc. Can you also recommend the best place to go for airfare (from
Portland, OR and/or Bangkok to Kathmandu), flights to Lukla, etc. Would
appreciate any trekking info you can give. Thank you.
Gary Longfellow
longfellow.gary@cfwy.com

9C. EXPERIENCE USING IRIDIUM SATELLITE PHONE?

Does anyone have firsthand experience using an Iridium satellite telephone
in Nepal? Iridium says that although they do not have a formal agreement
with the government of Nepal their phones will work there. Has anyone used
any other satellite phones in Nepal?
Bill Lincoln
walincoln@home.com

9D. MEDICAL STUDENT SEEKS HIGH-ALTITUDE RESEARCH

I am a first-year student at Yale Medical School interested in conducting
research in high-altitude physiology. I am looking for a summer project that
I could potentially continue throughout my four years of medical school, a
project that could serve as the basis for the dissertation I will write at
the end of my fourth year. I was wondering if anyone could offer me ideas
about where I might find such a research opportunity.
Raj Ayyagari
raj.ayyagari@yale.edu

************************************************************************

10. MALPI INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL SEEKS TEACHERS

Greetings from the Malpi International School! We are a very new residential
co-ed school that opened last July. The fifty promoters who set up the
school wished to give a quality education to school-going children of Nepal,
which is sorely lacking. Parents currently spend thousands of rupees to send
their children to boarding schools in India.

We have forty children in the age group of 9-12 and have five teachers whom
we recruited locally. As we increase our classes from June 2000, we would
definitely need teachers who would be able to bring in a global perspective
and modern methodologies into the classroom.

Gomathy Venkateswar
Principal

Contact: Margaret Rubin
margaretRubin@worldnet.att.net


************************************************************************

11. ADVENTUROUS TRAVELER BOOKSTORE SPONSORSHIP

This newsletter is sponsored in part by www.AdventurousTraveler.com.
Check them out for the most complete collection of Himalayan guidebooks,
narratives and maps on the internet. Give them your HEC membership number
for a 10% discount!

************************************************************************

12. CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING SECTION
(updated February 21, 2000)

GUIDES

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info@concordiaexpeditions.com
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Contact Suman Pandey
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Fax: 977-1-252 115
E-mail: adventur@mos.com.np

Join the Himalayan Explorers Club in the Himalayas! Pemba Sherpa leads
Everest trek with Island Peak in March and October 2000, info@mountainexplorers.org or
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All trips also include an excursion "off the beaten path" to Sewangma, where
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Phone: (406)363-7747

Discover the Himalaya with local expert Pemba Sherpa. With over 14 years of
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Proceeds also go to support the HEC school and bridge projects in Nepal. For
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Phone: 888-568-8924
e-mail: pemba@sherpaascent.com
Web: www.sherpaascent.com

Trek with independent guide Dan Tamang. Camping or teahouse treks. Trekking
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E-mail: glonet@wlink.com.np.
Fax: (011)977-1-416835
For U.S. references contact Rick Brown (rbbrown@hotmail.com) or Gary
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Phone: (800)223-1813 or (510)222-5307.
Website: www.instantweb.com/p/peterowens

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always wanted to do, at a price you can afford. Our exciting schedule of
upcoming adventures includes Nepal, New Zealand, Baja Mexico, Spain and the
Oregon Coast.. For more details call toll free: 1-888-4-wow-fun or e-mail us
at: wowadventure@earthlink.net
http://www.wowadventure.com

TRAVEL

Adventurous Traveler Bookstore offers the world's most complete selection of
outdoor travel books and maps. Books, maps, and videos for the entire
Himalayan region. Call (800)282-3963 or order on the web at
http://www.adventurousTraveler.com
HEC members get 10% discount!

The Asian Trail is your FREE downloadable guide to work, travel, and
adventure in Asia. Job listings too! Get your copy of The Asian Trail at:
http://www.asiantrail.com

Avia Travel. Competitive fares to Asia, especially Nepal, Pakistan, and
Thailand though major consolidators. Established since 1987, recommended by
Lonely Planet as "reliable source" for discounted fares. Customized land
packages into Asia and small group adventures. Call (800) 950 2842 or
(415)536-4155
avia@avia.com
http://www.avia.com

Himalayan Treasures and Travel. We have seats to Kathmandu all the time.
Call us for the best price and best service. We book for many HEC members
and give HEC discounts! Call (800)223-1813 or (510)222-5307
govindsh@himtrek.com
http://www.himalayantrekking.com.

Ticket Planet. We are America's leading round the world air consolidator,
and also your Nepal airfare experts. We can get seats to Kathmandu when
others can't. We broker over 50 airlines. We have over 15 years of
experience pricing international airfares. Please contact us at (800)
799-8888, (415) 288-9999.
Fax: (415) 288-9839
See our website: http://www.ticketplanet.com
Email us at: himalayas@ticketplanet.com


************************************************************************

VOLUNTEER/STUDY ABROAD

Himalayan Study-Abroad Program. Applications now being accepted for Fall
2000. Participants will study tourism development along the Everest route,
then design community development projects for remote Rolwaling valley,
according to individual interests and community needs. Info:
www.bridges-prtd.com
Contact: sicroff@bridges-prtd.com

Volunteer Nepal Himalaya offers participants a unique opportunity to teach
English in Sherpa villages in the Himalayas, near Mt. Everest.
Accommodations are with local families. While not teaching, participants
work on community service projects or explore the endless trails and
villages of the Khumbu region. For more information, please contact the
Himalayan Explorers Club at info@mountainexplorers.org or call (303) 998-0101.

The Nepal Volunteer Handbook offers potential volunteers everything they
will need to know about volunteering in Nepal, including a personal skills
assessment, background on the history of foreign assistance in Nepal, tips
for ensuring a worthwhile experience, and information on over 50 volunteer
leads. The Handbook sells for $20. Contact the HEC at (303)998-0101 or
e-mail info@mountainexplorers.org

The Kathmandu Environmental Education Project (KEEP) is looking for
experienced volunteer English teachers to teach English and educational
workshops for sirdars, sherpas, cooks, and kitchen staff. For more
information please contact:
PT Sherpa"Kerung", Executive Director KEEP
tour@keep.wlink.com.np



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