Nepal 2007: Mao Mao Mao Mao 💚 Complete Story

Over the last several years Nepal has been locked in a civil war with the communist ending up with control of most of western Nepal. Now the fighting is over and the communists were granted seats in the government. We had heard the communist were no longer asking for a “donation” from trekkers. But 2 days before we left on our trek on the lower Annapurna circuit a Swiss man and his guide were asked for a “donation” and when he told them that he didn’t have any money they threatened to kill him and proceeded to beat the shit out of him with sticks. He was finally able to get up and run away but ended up in the hospital needing stitches in his head. We were talking about this with the agency that was getting our trekking permits and as it turns out the Maoists in all their wisdom are also asking for “donations” from the local businesses. The outfit we used was asked to pay 12,000 rupees but was able to talk them down to a 1,000. But the money is for the people. For which they give you a receipt on white paper in red letters. That way you can prove what a loyal commy you are. (oh, and then they won’t beat the shit out of you)

Well Paul and I take off from the trail head out of Nayapul and after walking about 2 hours we head down a hill that right in the middle there is a thatched hut with a 3 foot rock wall around it with a red flag that had a hammer and sickle on it. As we get closer, I see there are 3 men there. One herds us to a table were the man looks up at me and says “we are Maoist and are collecting donations for the people” He continues on with his commy diatribe but I interrupt him and say “how much do we have to pay?” He is asking me how many days we will be trekking when I see his little commy receipt book. It sets me off, these little fuckers aren’t taking any of our money. I lean over the table and look him right in the eyes, pointing my finger at him and say “I’m not paying you anything” I change the grip on my walking stick so I use it as a weapon. Then tell Paul to walk on, the commy behind the table sends this tall skinny bastard to block Paul’s way. He is telling me I must pay. I tell him again “I’m not paying you anything”. I hear Paul telling the guy blocking his way over and over “get out of my way” But I can’t look over to see what’s going on. If the fucker behind the table reaches for anything or the other guy moves towards me, I am going to flip the table on him and lite into the guy standing with my stick. I look him in the eyes one more time and see him glancing at my stick He doesn’t budge. Fuck it. I turn my back on him and start waking. The trail is clear ahead. He’s yelling now “stop you must pay” I Yell Back “I paid for my trekking permit and I’m not paying you.” we walk on looking back to see if there following us. There not. Paul tells me the guy blocking the trail spread his arms wide and wouldn’t let him go around. So, Paul shoved him so hard he went down in a heap and he stepped over him Paul said that even though he was tall he didn’t have any meat on his bones. I guess the Maoist bullshit they have been feeding him doesn’t have many calories!