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I suspect the watery glint in the presenters eyes are due to a level of happiness , perhaps more so a respect built across many weeks of travelling , it ’ s certainly true of my own feelings .
We sit somewhere amongst the hubbub of Kathmandu ’ s Patan Darbar Square , in a roof top restaurant overlooking the ancient monuments to Buddhism and Hinduism , it a relaxed environment despite the hustle below , our presenter is handing out gifts of traditional khukuri knifes . This short , curved sword , a utility knife of sorts , is considered a symbol of unity , of identity . Tradition dictates that it must draw blood before being sheathed . I don ’ t think so , yet the metaphor isn ’ t lost to all present , a level of unity and identity has been achieved .
Bret Tkacs , proclaimed Moto Guru , in his usual manner , is extoling a series of backhanded compliments as he hands out the khukuri , each rider gets one , including myself as I laugh at his wit and deadpan delivery . It ’ s totally unexpected , I ’ m not a paying customer on one of his annual Nepal expeditions but rather an invited guest of the guide company , yet the gift
is heartfelt and full of respect . There ’ s definitely water in a few eyes .
Five weeks earlier Bret and I had met , he had no idea I would be here , and a level of apprehension had quickly built , yet just as quickly something had displaced the feelings and a mutual respect had built , to the point of being a friendship .
If you ’ ve ever searched through YouTube chances are you ’ ve come across Bret yourself . He ’ s the man with the flat , cloth cap , miraculously changing from helmet to hat in seamless motion . It ’ s how he rides , how he lives , yet getting to know Bret is like conducting an orchestra to the beat of a staccato machine gun . He ’ s rapid fire , full of action and adventure , almost cliched American to this laconic Australian . Could the bravado be a front ?
Spending time with Bret one quickly discovers that yes , there is some front , deep within is a motorcycle instructor that cares more about seeing a rider improve and achieve rather than just become a safer rider . He looks for riders that doubt their ability and encourages them that anything is possible , the riders that project confidence in their own abilities are considered a danger .
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