the injured locals medical bills.
I was even told of stories that in
some cases, truck drivers, out in the
remote areas of the Himalayas, have
been known to back over maimed in-
dividuals, ensuring to kill the injured,
so that the cost to them is minimal
or best yet no cost at all, especially if
there are no witnesses. I could not be-
lieve what I was hearing, and how lit-
tle life is cherished and valued in such
a beautiful and apparently spiritual
country.
Finding out that the Nepalese fami-
ly had called the police made me quite
annoyed, and I felt that I had to voice
my opinion upon return to the hospi-
tal.
I didn't realise they could actually
speak English until that moment, as
one of the family elders came over to
show me some photos. I didn’t know
or understand what he was showing
me at the time, later learning that it
was part of the injured man’s skull
that had been removed to relieve the
pressure and swelling on the brain.
I now truly understood the extent of
the man’s injuries.
The man was in an unconscious
state, the doctors has induced his
coma after surgery, and would now be
in this situation for quite some time
before we would know the full extent
of the outcome.
So much happened over the next
few days, none exciting, just a lot of
bureaucracy to deal with. I found my-
self back and forth with various offi-
cials, lawyers, doctors, and dealing
with unjustified criticism from all an-
gles while trying to retrieve a passport
that should have never been confis-
cated in the first place. I did all that I
TRAVERSE 82
could when I could, regardless of a lot
of things being out of my control.
Three days later, the group had re-
turned to Pokhara, from the amazing
Kalopani, Muktinath and Tatopani. I
know from experience that, this is
one of the many highlights of the trip,
and it was quite evident that the rid-
ers thought so too, they all returned
wearing a grin from ear to ear due to
the spectacular ride they just encoun-
tered.
With a free day in Pokhara, some
paid a visit their friend in hospital,
which was not without controversy.
One particular individual, and with-
out actually having the balls to say it to
my face decided that he would crucify
me, by making derogatory comments
about me to the other group riders, for
apparently not doing enough for their
friend.