En Route, Annapurna Sanctuary
The first day’s hike is finished on this Nepalese Monday. It is about 5:30 and the late-day sun dries out my sweat-laden body. A young child cries up the “road.” It’s a one-trail village perched on a ridge.
Residents sit across the way in the “Tourist Hotel” drinking tea and downing rice with their right hands. Chickens strut everywhere, pecking at your spit and anything else worth eating.
The light begins to filter through the low-lying clouds. I sit perched on a stone wall, rhododendrons and bean vines all around. A giant yellow spider perches upside-down in her vertical nest.
Today, we document relations with our 25-ish Tibetan refugee guide Bubu (no last name given, Bu for short).
Tim Bowles, Mike Nichols,
Steve (Boots) Parker and Bubu
Bubu will be employed by the above three men at 15 rs/day for carrying an equal amount of weight with the said three men, for washing dishes with soap and for sharing in the fire-starting, cooking and wood collecting.
When we are in village areas, the above three men will give Bubu 5rs/day for food. When we are in the Annapurna Sanctuary, we three employers will supply Bubu with the necessary food.
The trip will last three weeks and will extend from Pokhara, Ghandrung, Annapurna Sanctuary, Jomosom, Baglung and back to Pokhara.
The employers will supply the necessary carrying basket.
50 rs will be paid in advance and the remaining wages upon return.
/s/ Tim /s/ Mike /s/ Boots /s/ Bubu
Nandanda, Nepal
October 22, 1973