yakshaver
27th November 2009, 07:23 AM
The Maoists are definitely collecting on the Manaslu trail. I think they were in Soti (not sure...), four of them crouched down near a house with a "Revolutionary Council" banner. Five of us (all tourists) were walking together and they did not approach us. However they did summon the guide, Santaman, and Nick, the sixth tourist, who were last (Nick was very slow and always walked with a guide or porter beside him). The Maoists demanded 2500 rupees, but Santa and Nick (who knows some Nepali) negotiated down to 1500 rupees per tourist. They did issue a receipt.
Apparently they have a lot of support in the Manaslu area. We were not bothered anywhere else on the trail, either in Tsum or Manaslu.
Loosely related, Pushpa Kamal Dahal (aka Comrade Prachanda) was sitting a few seats away from me on the plane to Bangkok. He was probably travelling to China to receive uptaded instructions. The maoists have lost a lot of credibility since giving up being part of the government a few months ago. Pity there is not alternative leadership, and Nepal is just meandering along. As it has done for a few thousands years now. Ke garne...
Apparently they have a lot of support in the Manaslu area. We were not bothered anywhere else on the trail, either in Tsum or Manaslu.
Loosely related, Pushpa Kamal Dahal (aka Comrade Prachanda) was sitting a few seats away from me on the plane to Bangkok. He was probably travelling to China to receive uptaded instructions. The maoists have lost a lot of credibility since giving up being part of the government a few months ago. Pity there is not alternative leadership, and Nepal is just meandering along. As it has done for a few thousands years now. Ke garne...