Nepal. The roof of the world. Filled with sparkling rivers that flow through an undulating and breathtaking landscape of pure grandeur and marked by a string of enigmatic mountains dominated by the majestic Everest. This is the setting for Karki's story. She guides us through this fascinating country of her childhood, early education, and her evolution from teenage into adulthood.
Born and raised in Nepal, educated in Australia, and now living in the United States, author Karki, like you, is on a quest for meaning. One of the fundamental truths she confirms in these pages is that we're all members of the same human family.
She explains her metamorphosis as she takes us on her odyssey to some of the world's remotest villages as an International Red Cross staff member. There she learns that to survive and thrive we must battle our common enemies of poverty, disaster, and disease instead of each other.
The titles of some of her chapters denote the romanticism of her tale. As you join her incredible literary journey, you experience the Color of Emotions and traverse the Steppes of Dolpo. You will also meet people with Lost Limbs, but for whom Hope Remains. With The Fragrance of Mugu you'll encounter Uninvited Guests who are welcome nonetheless. And yet, When Nature Goes Mad, you're still adorned with the Garland of Rainbows, which the centrifugal forces Inside Singha Durbar (the seat of government) could not affect. When you think you've finally come to the end of Karki's colorful account, you will have reached The Beginning of a Different Dream!
As Karki illustrates in this book, we must demonstrate empathy, honor, and courage to live a meaningful life. If we do, we can experience our own metamorphosis and join her in saying, "I had the honor of doing God's work."
