No turning back?
Sunday, January 21, 2007 at 6:44PM Life is full of opportunities to learn. Some experiences are are perceived riskier than others.
Sir Edmund Hillary became the first man to summit Mount Everest (with Tibetan sherpa Tenzin Norgay). However, not everyone would wish to accompany such a perilous expedition to climb a dangerous mountain. If you did join the team, and decided turn back, could you bring yourself to give up th mission and do that? Would you take the risks involved in retracing your steps in uncertain weather?
Consider anyone who decides to backpack though a foreign country, or more challenging still, to backback through many unfamiliar countries. To take the risk of stepping outside what you know can be a scary thing for many people. You would need to find maps, navigate through places you've never been, do things as simple as find food, a toilet, a safe place to sleep, when you don't necesarily speak the local language, dress like the local people, or share their perspective on life or the world. This would require courage and the willingness to learn new things.
Before you travel anywhere, you would likely evaluate risks. Should you stay where you are or should you go discover someplace new? If you do decide to take risks to step outside your comfort zone, you would likely consider things like potential threats to your health and safety. Could you even qualify for health insurance? Would you wish to have any? Could you afford the trip? Do you have responsibilities that you could afford and you would be willing to leave behind? Some of us would choose not to turn our backs on mortgages, family and other priorities.
What kinds of incentives would motivate you to re-think the life you know and consider it something you could leave, at least for a time? Some people would abandon theri lives at a moment's notice with few belongings. Other people require extensive planning in advance and would take much luggage. The nature of the travel destination and purpose of your trip would influence what you think you would need.
Then again, it's possible that visiting foreign places may not even appeal to you. You may find it risky to live where you do everyday. The idea of getting into a car and driving somewhere involves a certain risk.
Risk is relative to what we know, to what we don't know, and to what we have the inclination to learn.
Reader Comments (2)
Barnes and Noble Review
Average Rating: *****
07/07/2006
"Best book on Nepal ever... This is the book to read before you embark on your pilgrimage to Nepal. The author knows and loves the people and the country, and makes you feel the cold thin air, the hard rocks of the mountains, the tough life of the Sherpa guides, and you learn to love them too. This is a higly literate, but also very readable book. Highly recommended."
-- John (college professor)
Below are selections from reviews. To read the complete ones and excerpts go to www.beyondthesummit-novel.com
A hard-hitting blend of adventure and romance which deserves a spot in any serious fiction collection. Midwest Book Review
LeBlanc is equally adept at describing complex, elusive emotions and the beautiful, terrifying aspect of the Himalayan Mountains. Boulder Daily Camera
LeBlanc's vivid description of the Himalayas and the climbing culture makes this a powerful read. Rocky Mt News Pick of the Week
A rich adventure into the heart of the Himalayan Kingdom. Fantastic story-telling from one who has been there. USABookNews.com
A gripping, gut-twisting expedition through the eyes of a porter reveals the heart and soul of Sherpas living in the shadows of Everest. EverestNews.com
Memorable characters and harrowing encounters with the mountains keep the action moving with a vibrant balance of vivid description and dialogue. Literary Cafe Host, Healdsburg, CA
I am deeply touched by LeBlanc's account. Beautifully written, it goes right to the life of a porter. International Porter Protection Group.
This superbly-crafted novel will land you in a world of unimaginable beauty, adventure, and romance. The love story will keep you awake at night with its vibrant tension and deep rich longing. Wick Downing, author of nine novels
The book is available from amazon.com, Barnes & Noble and Borders Stores, and the web site for an autographed copy.
Thanks for that recommendation. I will look forward to reading that book. Tibet is a place to which I feel very connected. Learning mroe about it is always a pleasure.