Riffs and musings about Nepal
In 2015, Nepal suffered a series of cataclysmic earthquakes, devastating villages… {I suppose it’s worth noting that this was also in the week of some other conundrums and tragedies involving the royal family and cataclysmic change in government and society in general}.
Anyhow, living in Vancouver at the time, and feeling lousy about my then-new-found health situation, I tried to participate in various relief efforts and *at least* document and amplify as best I could.
Since my childhood fascination with the Himalaya mountains and the thought of drinking yak milk tea in high-altitude, villages, in Nepal held a place in my heart. {I also have a dear friend from the country who’s helped me out in multiple times of disarray}.
As it goes, a few years later, I finally made my first visit to the country for an extended Ayurveda treatment and was unbelievably charmed and fascinated by the intrepid and kind nature of the Nepali people.
As such, this post is simply to remind myself, others, and history about the grassroots efforts that went on at the time to bring relief.
Postcards: Specifically, I did my own campaign of “Postcards for Nepal” in which anyone who demonstrated some activity to support Nepal relief efforts, would receive one of my handmade postcards. Not a big deal i realize but you do with what you have.
Postcards from Nepal relief
Evidence of postcards for Nepal
Campaign posters: And, as is my habit, I documented handbills and flyers for other relief efforts and campaigns and did my best to donate and promote Nepal relief efforts and admired the grassroots and creativity of many of the initiatives. I see you.
Food: I also worked with the then-nearby Gurkha Nepal restaurant who were hosting weekly lunches and dinners at which proceeds went to the relief efforts.
Checking in from Gurkha restaurant
Some really nice guys working there (as I understand, they subsequently sold and moved on). Also noting that I chronically misspelled the name of the restaurant.
Evidence of tasty activism
thanks to friends who came out to join in (even when i didn’t show up)
Signs of Help
Gurkha Restaurant, in Vancouver’s West End, doing their part to rally attention and relief efforts
one more tray of food with mango lassi mmm
Sharing with pals in Nepal
strangely enough, screenshots of the campaigns while on a Nepal cell network, are very meta but notable for the record
I also *see you* carpetbaggers:
Somewhere, there’s a longer riff about my frustration with companies, specifically outdoor equipment/mountain climbing equipment companies who have made a living/fortune supplying climbers going up to the Himalayas and, the climber themselves, who for the most part were very quiet about this issue as it quickly was replaced in the new cycle. Such hubris by climbers who spend untold sums to climb mountains, buy equipment, and risk the lives of locals (while patting themselves on the back saying they are “creating jobs” yet nada when comes time to help (except when later, earthquake at Everest basecamp when no prob rallying helicopters to rescue foreigners /rant).
Maybe if I come across that, I’ll share it here but the reality is, that my tiny efforts were well-intentioned but I feel, possibly inadequate.
Peace to all the people of Nepal who were affected and respect to all those who helped.
From Annapurna with affection