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Update Log:

06/26/08 - Follow page, rest of New Zealand Photos, new Journal entries every 3 days

06/07/08 - Comments to photos of last Japan album

06/07/08 - 4 Photo albums [Japan "Back in Osaka...with Kiyo" New Zealand North Island], & Expenses in Follow

05/17/08 - Follow page flights until June 29th

05/16/08 - Itinerary on Follow page & Photos of Kyoto (hopefully will get to comments too)

05/14/08 - Photos os Kathmandu (Nepal) and Osaka with Environs (Japan)

by Shantala Ramaiah and Joel Arbic

April 9, 2008

So Joel and I began a three week trek in the Himalayas.  We planned for the Annapurna Sanctuary Trail to base camp followed by part of the Annapurna circuit trail from Ghorepani to Jomosom, where we'd fly back to Pokhara.  After about 10 days of trekking, we were having so much fun that Joel decided to at 8 days and finish the circuit after I'd flown home.  But we were already running out of money, let alone having enough to add a week or so! 

We heard that Jomosom had a bank with ATM, but we had to make 300% sure.  Not only for extending the trek, but knowing if we had to start 'starving' ourselves for the next 10 days. After several days of questioning guides, other trekkers we met, and even doing one expensive internet search via satellite, we were assured the bank is Jomosom had an ATM , that it worked, and that is accepted Visa debit cards.    So we proceeded to spend our money comfortably knowing we could replenish in a week.  Also, Joel starts day acclamatization hikes for the high altitude of the pass he will cross.

So we get to Jomosom, and head straight for the bank. The entire thing is close, all metal door pulled down.  We ask around and find out that the banks are closed for a few days for elections the next day.  Not only that, but they'd be closed for maybe 8 days for the weekend, New Year's, a Hindu Holiday, and more.  We don't have enough to last just to wait around for our flight let alone continue on a trek! The horror.

We are told that Hotel Marco Polo gives cash advances on credit cards.  We dash over.  But they need a bank themselves to get an authorization code, and their bank in Kathmandu is closed.  We slowly realize there are no options.  We're stuck.  Joel's trek he had trained and was really excited for (as well as being his birthday gift to himself) was over.  We are forced to wait 5 days in Jomosom for our flight, Joel's trek he was really excited for is over, and we only have enough for one meal a day until we leave.  Joel was besides himself. 

In the hotel lobby close to us a Nepali man was using the internet.  He is an architect from Kathmandu that had flown in to Jomosom to go to his village to vote.  He turned from his computer and asked where we were from, then turned back.  A few minutes later, he asked what we do for a living.  He then walks over to us and says "I think I can help.  I have three daughters in the US.  I can give you $200 if I can trust you will send them a check." 

Joel and I are blown away.  He doesn't ask for any documents, just our word.  An art almost forgotten.  We are shocked to silence, and graciously accept the money.

But there's one annoying problem. $200 will only tie us over the next week to catch a flight.  It won't be enough to tie us over AND have Joel trek another 10 days.  So after he lends us the money and he's about to leave, we ask him why he thought the ATM would reopen in 3 days whereas other locals had said 8.  He responds, "Why does that matter?  Didn't I give you enough."

Ahhh!!  How do you tell a man that just trusted you with $200 that despite his generosity, you kindof want more!  We respond, "We are extremely thankful for what you have given us.  And we are absolutely not asking for more.  But if the ATM had worked, we would have taken out $400 so that Joel could complete his trek. $200 will only last 5 days or so." 

"Oh, okay". He mumbles something to the hotel owner, and before we can blink he's handing us another $200.  HE doesn't even have the money, HE was hoping to use the ATM.  But he writes a Nepali checks to the hotel as a cash advance.  The managers are his friends, and that's the only reason they're accepting his checks.  He gives us his daughter's email and phone number, and walks out the door.  Simple as that. 

I ran after him to get a photo for this article, but the man didn't press the shutter button all the way, and we were still so shocked I didn't have the presence of mind to check I'd captured the moment. 

Amazing. We had chills several times during the transaction.  Almost had tears in our eyes, for the sheer trust.

Thank you Deepak! 

PS.  The experience was so unbelievable and the money given so quickly, that to this day I have the knee-jerk reaction to warn my mom "don't send the check till we know we have the money!"  But I keep having to remind myself that I've already spent the money! It's done!