I was seriously impressed and delighted with the guides and guides-in-training (GITs) provided to us by OneSeed Expeditions. Our guides were Kale Sherpa and Meena Karkee.
Kale was incredibly knowledgeable having grown up in the region and been trekking his entire life. He was also such a spitfire, cracking a joke whenever and wherever, regardless of whether it was appropriate. His favorite sayings throughout the trip were "Come On!" "Like Gangnam Style!" and "like a boss!" Sometimes we had to remind him that no Kale, that steep ravine that we almost fell down was most certainly not like a boss :)
Meena was the quiet and calm authority on the trail. Always in the lead and keeping an almost motherly, caring eye on us all. She was always teaching us a few Nepali words here and there, like bas-neus for sit and cheeto for fast, and our favorite jam-jam for let's go! My name is Kristen would be Me Ro Nam Kristen Ho. She also taught us a trekking song called Reesham Firiri.
My favorite story would have to be about the guides-in-training, which as I mentioned before are normally called Porters in other trekking companies. They carry some of our load so that we can comfortably carry a small day pack. I personally carried most of my own things since I did not realize we would be getting this service and prepared myself for carrying a heavier load. I just had a small bag and my sleeping bag carried for me. OneSeed calls their porters Guides-In-Training because they are molding each of them to eventually become guides. They are encouraged to engage with clients to better socialize and learn English, and each one got a turn to brief us on our next days journey. They were all very shy in the beginning but definitely came out if their shells as time went on.
Lal was the oldest and most talkative of the group. He was so inquisitive and philosophical, always asking us to explain our answers, oh you like this or don't like this, why is that? What do you think the meaning of life is? What is more important money or love? Haha...I think that was my favorite! When I asked him what he thought he said both...lol! Lal would love to come to the US one day but he is not confident he will ever make it. He is waiting on winning a Napali lottery that sends people to the US. I hope he wins and can come visit me some day.
Keshar is I believe the most experienced of the 3, he is 20 years old and has been portering since he was 15. He made me a bamboo walking stick in our first day which became a total life saver as time went on. He was very shy at first but warmed up quickly. By the middle of the hike he was calling me sister - which was adorable.
D-Pak was the youngest and the most shy of the group, probably because his english was not very strong, but what a cutie! He had a way of looking and smiling at you that would just make you melt. The kid could totally be a model and my prediction if he keeps up that shy stare is that he will find a rich American cougar to take care of him for the rest of his life :) By the end of the trip he totally warmed up to us, even calling me sister on our second to last day. Melt!
All of these people became like our family over our 8-day hike and I love them all dearly and hope to keep in touch since most of them have Facebook!
Kale was incredibly knowledgeable having grown up in the region and been trekking his entire life. He was also such a spitfire, cracking a joke whenever and wherever, regardless of whether it was appropriate. His favorite sayings throughout the trip were "Come On!" "Like Gangnam Style!" and "like a boss!" Sometimes we had to remind him that no Kale, that steep ravine that we almost fell down was most certainly not like a boss :)
Meena was the quiet and calm authority on the trail. Always in the lead and keeping an almost motherly, caring eye on us all. She was always teaching us a few Nepali words here and there, like bas-neus for sit and cheeto for fast, and our favorite jam-jam for let's go! My name is Kristen would be Me Ro Nam Kristen Ho. She also taught us a trekking song called Reesham Firiri.
My favorite story would have to be about the guides-in-training, which as I mentioned before are normally called Porters in other trekking companies. They carry some of our load so that we can comfortably carry a small day pack. I personally carried most of my own things since I did not realize we would be getting this service and prepared myself for carrying a heavier load. I just had a small bag and my sleeping bag carried for me. OneSeed calls their porters Guides-In-Training because they are molding each of them to eventually become guides. They are encouraged to engage with clients to better socialize and learn English, and each one got a turn to brief us on our next days journey. They were all very shy in the beginning but definitely came out if their shells as time went on.
Lal was the oldest and most talkative of the group. He was so inquisitive and philosophical, always asking us to explain our answers, oh you like this or don't like this, why is that? What do you think the meaning of life is? What is more important money or love? Haha...I think that was my favorite! When I asked him what he thought he said both...lol! Lal would love to come to the US one day but he is not confident he will ever make it. He is waiting on winning a Napali lottery that sends people to the US. I hope he wins and can come visit me some day.
Keshar is I believe the most experienced of the 3, he is 20 years old and has been portering since he was 15. He made me a bamboo walking stick in our first day which became a total life saver as time went on. He was very shy at first but warmed up quickly. By the middle of the hike he was calling me sister - which was adorable.
D-Pak was the youngest and the most shy of the group, probably because his english was not very strong, but what a cutie! He had a way of looking and smiling at you that would just make you melt. The kid could totally be a model and my prediction if he keeps up that shy stare is that he will find a rich American cougar to take care of him for the rest of his life :) By the end of the trip he totally warmed up to us, even calling me sister on our second to last day. Melt!
All of these people became like our family over our 8-day hike and I love them all dearly and hope to keep in touch since most of them have Facebook!
Kale showing us how it is done on the golf course
Me and Meena - our fearless leader
Our boys, KeShorn, D-Pak and Lal
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