Follow your dream!

Margret Aerts

Nederland

Visited Nepal: February 23, 2015

– March 19, 2015

Begin 2014 I decided to follow my dream and go to Nepal for a Trekking in the Himalayas.I could not know at that time that my life would change after that first trip to Nepal…..

My first travel to Nepal was in the beginning of 2014. After 4 knee surgeries in 2,5 year time I lost faith in going to be able to do a Trekking in Nepal. I always have been fascinated by mountains! I read all books that excists about Everest and from some Dutch famous mountaineers we have here like Ronald Naar and Wilco van Rooijen. After the last surgery I trained really hard to set my goal: Trekking in Mountains! Finally I decided to go..in february 2014! (My knee is still very well). I went to Annapurna Basecamp with friend and mountainguide, who I knew already a long time through FB! It was the best experience of my life!First we stayed some days in KTM, before going by bus to Pokhara and after that by taxi to Nayapul.. startingpoint of the Trek! It were great days!! Along the hike we had fun, we laughed, we sing songs. It was really great! I felt the power of the mountains (who I respect so much) and I left a lot of old sorrow and grief there! I remember the day of arrival in ABC! It was bad weather with much snow and very very cold! The next morning we woke up with steel blue sky and saw the sun risis above the Annapurna! I cried… and felt so little and humble..My mountains.. I love and respect you so much!

After returning from ABC I went to Dhading, to the school of my friend. I donated 6 computers for the school and spent some days in beautiful Dhading! Staying with the locals I had a great experinece and time!

After returning in KTM I got in contact with a childrens home. The kids were living there under terrible conditions! I decided to do something for these children. I went home…and came back very soon! In May 2014…to help the kids! In May 2014 I was back in Nepal! To help the children! I visited also Lumbini and some other nice places. I went back home to collect more donations for the children. I was back in November 2014! With my good friend Sanjib Adhikari I did the Langtang Valley Trekking! What an amazing place to be! We did not know at that time that we were probably one of the last persons who saw Langtang in all his beauty before the earthquakes! It was again a lifetime experience. So beautiful to see the Langtang villages and meet the people along the way! I even reach the top of the Kyiangi Ri! Never had a problem with the heigh altitude! I most have been born in mountains in former life! LOL! I live in a complete flat country (the Netherlands in Europe). So for me pretty special! I lost my heart completely..on mountains.. the smell of Nepal.. the very kind people,, everytime I am there it feels like coming home!!

Offcourse I paid many visits to my children again. I came back soon again…in Febr. 2015.

I planned to stay in Nepal for almost 3 months but because of some problems at home I had to leave sooner. I was back in Holland,just before the earthquakes….

I felt really..really bad and sad that I was here and all the people I love so much were there. I felt so helpless and sad..But everyone survived! I decided to take action again! Kids needed a new house etc…I worked hard here to raise money again! After 5 weeks kids could get off the streets and we could rent a new house! Where they are living now since than with a new fostermother and under guidence of my Nepali girlfriend who is taking care of the children so very well! They go to school again, have good food . We made a new, frest start with new crew!

So, after all the stress and worries we had I decided to go soon again.. to my beloved Nepal! Flying end oct! To see my kids again, hug them, take them in my arms and see with my own eyes how good they have it now! It really feels like “my” children! Offcourse I go see a lot of friends who I lov so much! I will hug them and try to give support as much as I can! Offcoure I will visit mountains also, only small trek this time due to busy schedule.

In the last 1,5 year I travelled 4 times to Nepal. To follow my heart and I believe that my support can make a small difference in the lives from my friends. Maybe not always by helping with money but just by being there and sharing our knowledge and sharing our feelings!

I completely lost my heart on Nepal and I will always come back!As much as I can!

Coming soon Nepal and friends!

NAMASTE!!