There are one million four hundred thousand people living in Kathmandu. For those of us in the Western world Kathmandu is not what you would consider a developed city. Most of the world’s population lives in some sort of developing economic situation. There are a lot of poor people trying to make their way every day here. You see laborers hauling huge loads up bamboo scaffolding (no OSHA here), shop owners sitting in open shops with no customers, food stalls whipping up all manner of really inexpensive food. Repairs are still being made to buildings damaged in the 2015 earthquake. There is little money put into infrastructure which is evident by the hodgepodge of wiring hanging overhead, dirt roads merging into paved thoroughfares, the overwhelming amount of dust in the air and the lack of garbage pickup, removal, and processing.

It is overwhelming and yet the majority of the people you meet speak at least two languages (Nepali and English) and many others with very little formal education speak three or four. The Nepali people are friendly, genuine, and interested in where you are from.

If the Everest Base Camp Photo Adventure is your first trip abroad keep an open mind and prepare for some serious culture shock. Remember, we are so fortunate to be born into our circumstance. Any of us could be that man or women washing in the river, hauling a huge load of sand on their head up a ladder, or frying dough in a pan to make a living.

Nepal was shut down for over 10 months. Without a social safety net think of trying to feed a family, keep a roof over your head, and make ends meet with no job, no tourists, no customers (if a business), and no idea of when things will turn around. We are so happy to be able to visit this amazing culture and help some of the hotels, restaurants, tea houses, porters and Sherpa recover with your participation.