Scattered Seeds

“Mountain shapes are often fantastic seen through a mist; these were like the wildest creation of a dream” — George Mallory, 1921

I have started posting images taken during the Nepal trek on the photography website. The following are the first four images posted. Enjoy looking at all the other images—one day at a time.

Kids in Kharikhola, Nepal

School Children in Cheplung, Nepal

Corn Drying, Food for Living

Himalayan Donkeys

More photos at mengchwen.com/photography.

Croco-di-lee at the Everest Base Camp

Few hours before I left Kuala Lumpur, I changed my mind and brought Croco-di-lee on the trek in Nepal. Except for two occasions—once for the one photo taken at the Everest Base camp, and the other when I had difficulty sleeping in Lobouche—Croco-di-lee stayed in my backpack and enjoyed the trek.

We’re now back in Malaysia.

I’ve made my way to Kathmandu.
Taking in the sights, sounds and smell,
That send my senses to unchartered territories.

[No pictures captured in binary numbers yet,
But now stored forever in the recesses of my mind.
For now, simply:
One night in Kathmandu is to have stepped through a magical doorway
Two nights in Kathmandu is to have taken first steps
To know the place]

[A stay on the third floor at Tenki in Thamel
Poster; Nepal acronym for
Never End Peace and Love]

That’s all (for now…)
There’s no time to write as I’m waiting for the ride to Shivalaya,
And that’s where and when the trek begins.

Burden’d by the error, Meng Chwen,
In sleepless night, sailed a wild sea and thought:
Could it be possible that that which was an error
That would a great cost be to spend on waste
Be changed to opportunity?

And so Meng Chwen wonders:
What would it take for him have his eyes see
From amongst the ashes in the flames of death,
A pair of gilded wings in fiery colours boldly beating,
As ashen clouds paint blossoming rose petals in the air,
And a stealthy body—so majestic—launches from the core.
What would it take for him have his eyes see
The ageless phoenix rise yet again.

[ And so Meng Chwen wonders:
what is ageless? phoenix of words? ]

[What would it take for him have his eyes see
From among the countless leaves of aged pages,
Lovers
Lovers use words on a spear that doth shake and pierce hearts---
How many are there
For though lovers will fade, lovers continue to live
Amongst the
What would it take for him have his eyes see
The ageless arrangements of words in lovers' verses]

[ allude to Keat's Grecian Urn? ]

And so Meng Chwen wonders:
What would it take for him have his eyes see
marble monument
that changes costumes mood of the day
purple pink orange
What would it take for him have his eyes see
[ ]

Ah, could it be possible that that which was an error
That would a great cost be to spend on waste
Be changed to opportunity?
The thought did faintly cross his mind.

On ’tis day, Meng Chwen was a man in horror!
And in horror he discovered what only a Meng Chwen can do!
The final line in the coded sequence of the plan reads:
. 9W7056; D72507,
But—’haps in delirium—he had entered the wrong numbers,
One click here, one click there, and lo and behold
The coded sequence when executed came out to be:
. D72507; 9W7056.
Now in horror, Meng Chwen wonders what he needs to do.

Speedily Meng Chwen set to work;
Inform’d the parties involved of the error he did,
And asked he how soon can it be rectified.
An answer he now awaits.
If this should fail, there is another path to take;
Costly it will be, but necessary to spend on waste
To correct the error made in such simple matters.

‘Tis a terrible and unexpected setback, he knew.
But thank the heavens and the stars
The flaw was discovered when it was.
Heaven knows what might befall should
Meng Chwen come within the boundaries
Of Murphy’s Law or, even worse, Finagle’s Law!

‘Tis the coded message of a grand plan:

. D72506
. 9W7055
. 1770
. 3080/2190
. 2580
. 2670
. 2330
. 2360
. 2840
. 2610
. 3440
.
. 3860
. 4410/4240
.
. 4620
. 4910
. 5140/(5550)
. 5364
. 4240
. 3440
. 2610
. 2840
.
.
. 9W7056; D72507