It's early in the morning. Everything outside is still very quiet. On the horizon, the first dim light is visible. I quickly slip into my warm clothes and go outside. I want to welcome the new day above, in the small stupa with colorful prayer flags. It is a wonderfully clear morning and the mountains emerge slowly from the darkness.

I'm on a ridge about one and a half hours east of Kathmandu. Now that I'm here, I feel my breath and listen to the birds. The prayer flags flutter in the wind. A reddish glow appears slowly on the horizon that bathes the mountain top in a golden red light. I watch this fascinating spectacle of nature.

As the first rays come forth, I enjoy the warmth and feel connected with the mountains, humans and the universe. It is another one of those magical moments for which I love to be on the road. The Himalayan mountain range lies in front of me, almost close enough to touch. The mountains seem to float on the horizon with its snow-capped peaks.

I was there in the mountains. I get happy to be away from everyday life as the fresh air fills my thoughts and actions. Memories of the last few days pass through my mind of the ups and downs of the hiking trails, small mountain villages, and my cheerful Nepali companion.

This was my first big trip. I always wanted to travel "far away". My parents were less than thrilled with my travel plans. Therefore, this trip for me was not only a detachment from their protection but also the limitations of staying with parents. It was an important step in my independent life as for the first time I took my "own decision" and dared to realize my desires against objections from the outside.

The time in Nepal was really a journey into myself. There were ups and downs, moments of enthusiasm and also silent and lonely moments. As I walked around with open eyes through the world, many things became apparent to me, where I learn more about what actually constitutes myself. Because I gradually learnt how relative that may be what is considered "normal".

I had to find my way every new day as nature also took some "tests" on me. One of the most impressive moments I experienced on the trip, was when I caught a cold after washing my hair at 3,500 meters with ice-cold water. Then for the whole day, I sat in a heap at the table and my Nepali friend forced me hot soup after soup.

I had no idea how I would survive the next day's tour. But there was no turning back. At four o'clock in the morning the alarm went off - and after a short feel in my body, I suddenly knew that I can do this. I was still shaky, but after a few hundred meters, my body started to work. My abdomen felt like a slow machine that ran steadily forward. My body showed me exactly what my speed was.

I just listened to myself and went quite into my own rhythm. The climb went on but I was connected to myself that lifted me in the vastness of the mountains around. Up at 5,200 meters, I was overjoyed and extremely grateful for what my body has done for me. I was even one of the first to reach one of the cliffs. I never thought that I can mobilize such forces in me.

I eat very little. Moreover, I undertake hours of endurance until the pain in the limbs become almost unbearable. It was an incredible challenge! In addition, I controlled myself throughout the time of the trail to be consistently silent. I keep walking with a tent on my back through beautiful landscapes, streams, and forests, over mountains and past crystal clear lakes. Hiking through the remote mountains broadened my horizons and the way I looked at myself as I get fascinated by the majestic mountain scenery, Buddhist culture and friendly people.

I see poignant beautiful landscapes. Every second house in Nepal is like a temple and everywhere the belief of the people was palpable. These people were just so incredibly nice, that I cannot but be happy as people walk around with a smile on their face. It was the joy and attitude of the people which give me strength and courage to go on and on in a search for myself.

In the evening as I sit by the fire, I look in the vast starry sky as people talk about their experiences about how they live in a friendly way with wild animals before I lie down in my tent amidst the roar of the fox perhaps from afar. Here l learn not only a lot about nature but also a lot about me after an encounter with a wild yak that was certainly very close.

I made some wonderful friendships with local villagers and realize the grandeur and glitz of modern cities bound by time are all superficial. When I danced with locals full out, I get answers to my questions and best of all I almost answer it myself, because only I know in the end what is really good for me!

Through all the experiences I found more security and joy in myself. The impressive thing I felt was that as if I’m in home even though in a foreign country. I felt my heart was "here" and everything else was far away.

Somehow I "arrived" in this once alien world. I spent a week in an almost lonely cabin in the mountains and pure nature to find complete solitude and understand myself. I had enough time to think without distraction and I became slowly aware of what I really need in life to be happy.



This place is almost unreal with extreme colors of yellow, to orange to red, depending on the time of day and lighting conditions. This almost paradoxical contrast makes me speechless. I learn if it is not done today, then maybe tomorrow or the day after tomorrow - or next week. Getting upset does not help here. Things are not always so important in life, as I thought earlier. Much more important is to live in the present and enjoy the moment.



Equally impressive was when I got back home. I remember those faces again and again who make me forget my worries and problems at home. In this day and age, we often care too much about others than to ourselves. We forget who we are, what we really want out of life and what makes us really happy. The newfound fitness gives me the drive for my future!

This trip was like a door opening into a colorful, fascinating world to me. On this journey, I found true freedom because I lived for months only with the essentials. I played with my body to excel and grow not just once beyond me. It helped me get out of my comfort zone. I recognized that a lot of things in life are important but not as I thought before.

Life is an adventure, but the question is what you make of it! Rekindle #AHundredLittleFlames inside. Up there, the world is still OK!