Taxi bata jhariyo, trekking suru bho bhani danga pariyo. Dhungai dhunga chhapeko bharyang bata oralo jharna thaliyo. Within a minute or two, we met a European accented lady who greeted with us with a namaste. “End of your trek?” I asked (as if it were not obvious). “Yes”, she smiled. “We are just starting ours,” I said. “Just a few more steps for you”, J told her. We continued our descent crossing a local motorable road few times before crossing a suspension bridge. The trail, lined with numerous shops, started following the Modi Khola that separated the Kaski and Prabat districts. It was becoming hazy but the true shape of Machhapuchhre could be seen with it’s twin peaks. Down below, pebbles could be seen under the crystal clear water of the Modi. Within another 20 minutes or so, the Bhurungdi Khola joined the Modi across us. We crossed the Modi by an iron bridge and reached Birethanti. Birethanti marked the official entry to the Annapurna Region, where trekkers had to register at the ACAP office as well as the police station. It is also one of the popular stops along the trek possibly because of its serenity despite being located just minutes from the highway. It is also where the trails to Ghorepani and Ghandruk split. I enjoyed the next few minutes enjoying the surrounding view as well as the roar of the Modi while they registered. Now, I should say, our trek officially started. Closely following the Modi, we headed towards Ghandruk. The twin peaks of Machhapucchre could be faintly seen for some time. The surrounding view was breathtaking with the greenery and numerous waterfalls. Bistarai Syaulibazaar pugiyo, ani Kimche bata ta thado ukalo thiyo. The view became more and more stunning as we climbed higher on the stone paved trail. Modi Khola ko valley, ani pari patti Landruk ko danda ko drishya herdai swaa swaa gardai ukali chadhiyo. Modi khola bata jati tadhie pani tesko awaaj bhane airahanthyo. Ramailo mandai ukalo chadhidai thiyo, we were stopped by a man asking for medicines. His little son had fallen on a rock and had a deep cut on his lip. Clearly, it was pretty badly infected. The only treatment he had received in the past few days was some local jadibuti and jharpaat like banmara. The three of us judged that his infection was serious enough to require antibiotics. Unfortunately, none of us carried that. I did strongly advise him to rush to the nearest health post (was there one in Ghandruk or Nayapul?). He said he had no money. I told him that he may receive free treatment at a government health post, and he should rush to the closest one ASAP before the infection gets worse. I told him to take him to Kushma or Pokhara if no treatment was available nearby. “We should have carried some antibiotics,” M commented as we proceeded. That encounter with the man and his son was a rude shock to me. It made me realize one more time that our beautiful country is plagued by poverty and lack of education. I was at one of the more prosperous places of the country. Aru thau ma jhan kasto hola bhanne lagyo. I also regretted for not providing him any financial assistance (not that he directly asked for it). Dui char saya rupiya dieko bhae bichara ko kalyanai hunthyo ni bhanne sochay. Yestai sochdai hindai thie, Ghandruk nai pugiecha. Kramasha