Member-only story
I engaged a porter service during my hiking trip to the famous Everest Base Camp trail.
There were four of us; Two city-pampered blokes who lead a sedentary lifestyle, a middle-age local guide and a porter from the Sherpa ethnic who speaks little English.
A definite class team fit for adventure.
My personal experience aside, this story focuses on the lives of the local courier service, the porters of Mount Everest.
The people of the Himalayas
The ladies too do their equal share of portering as well. The womenfolk are equally as tough and don’t break a sweat while herding up their goods by donkeys and yaks. Plus, they still have the strength to haul their own gears with them.
Although I was unable to strike up any meaningful conversations with our porter — save for nonverbal cues and expressions, I learned a lot from his behaviour.
Mr. Sherpa, albeit tanned from the harsh high altitude swelter, has a much lighter complexion in comparison to our guide.
His facial features are weathered and resemble dried leather. His almond, seedy eyes and thin lips always bore a…
