- Joined
- Mar 5, 1999
- Messages
- 34,096
It has been brought to my attention that there are a few individuals who feel I am unqualifed to host a forum dealing with khukuris, kamis, Gurkhas and Nepal. Therefore, I feel I must supply my credentials (so here they are in brief) and let forum members arrive at the proper choice.
I graduated from college in 1956, degree in math and physics. Pilot's license issued same year. One year advanced study as "special student." About 20 years experience mostly as flight test engineer at such firms as Boeing, Lockheed, Cessna, Ryan and Rohr. Time out during college to volunteer for service in US Navy during Korean War.
At age 49 joined the US Peace Corps and travelled to Nepal as a volunteer -- one of a group of about 25 out of 600 applicants -- and the senior volunteer -- pay at that time $75 per month. As a PC volunteer and private citizen lived in Nepal in 1983, 84, and 85 with time off for kidney surgery. Married Yangdu while in Nepal. Was offered Nepali citizenship. Returned to US in time for New Year 1986. Yangdu joined me here in early 86. Visited Nepal for two months in 1988. Lived in Nepal for six months in 1991 and came within a hair's breadth of staying for the rest of my life. Have not been back since. Decent working knowledge of Nepali language while living in Nepal. Lack of practice and Heineken have destroyed most of this. Life in Nepal spent living with Nepalis, not as a tourist. Accepted Buddhism as "the way."
Father-in-law 8 year Gurkha vet, Indian Army. Brother-in-law, Lhakpa, retiring from Gurkha Service, British Army, in November this year. Brother-in-law, Gurme, in Singapore Gurkha Police Contingency 16-18 years service. Friends with both past and present Gurkha service perhaps 75 back in Nepal. Friends who are Nepal Army vets -- maybe 25. Knowledge of Gurkhas and Gurkha service learned from friends and relatives.
Became interested in khukuris while living in Nepal. Became friends with kamis and visited their shops, both large and small.
Became adopted brother to two kamis, Kancha Kami of Phera village, and T. B. (Bai) Bishwkarma, who makes the HI khukuris and a lot of "other" khukuris for sale to dealers in Kathmandu. Another major "arun" (shop) is located in Bhaktapur, operated by Khadka Bahadur, who supplies Nepal Army khukuris and "other" khukuris to dealers. Major distributor is the Khukuri House, located in Thamel, (tourist capital of Nepal) Kathmandu and operated by Lalit Lama.
And, I even used to smoke Khukuris!
<img src = "http://members.aol.com/yangduspag/pict24.jpg">
So, if there are others who have better qualifications I'd suggest they present them and let the forum members vote on who is best qualified to host a forum about Gurkhas, khukuris, kamis and Nepal. I, of course, will abide by the wishes of the forumites.
Bill
I graduated from college in 1956, degree in math and physics. Pilot's license issued same year. One year advanced study as "special student." About 20 years experience mostly as flight test engineer at such firms as Boeing, Lockheed, Cessna, Ryan and Rohr. Time out during college to volunteer for service in US Navy during Korean War.
At age 49 joined the US Peace Corps and travelled to Nepal as a volunteer -- one of a group of about 25 out of 600 applicants -- and the senior volunteer -- pay at that time $75 per month. As a PC volunteer and private citizen lived in Nepal in 1983, 84, and 85 with time off for kidney surgery. Married Yangdu while in Nepal. Was offered Nepali citizenship. Returned to US in time for New Year 1986. Yangdu joined me here in early 86. Visited Nepal for two months in 1988. Lived in Nepal for six months in 1991 and came within a hair's breadth of staying for the rest of my life. Have not been back since. Decent working knowledge of Nepali language while living in Nepal. Lack of practice and Heineken have destroyed most of this. Life in Nepal spent living with Nepalis, not as a tourist. Accepted Buddhism as "the way."
Father-in-law 8 year Gurkha vet, Indian Army. Brother-in-law, Lhakpa, retiring from Gurkha Service, British Army, in November this year. Brother-in-law, Gurme, in Singapore Gurkha Police Contingency 16-18 years service. Friends with both past and present Gurkha service perhaps 75 back in Nepal. Friends who are Nepal Army vets -- maybe 25. Knowledge of Gurkhas and Gurkha service learned from friends and relatives.
Became interested in khukuris while living in Nepal. Became friends with kamis and visited their shops, both large and small.
Became adopted brother to two kamis, Kancha Kami of Phera village, and T. B. (Bai) Bishwkarma, who makes the HI khukuris and a lot of "other" khukuris for sale to dealers in Kathmandu. Another major "arun" (shop) is located in Bhaktapur, operated by Khadka Bahadur, who supplies Nepal Army khukuris and "other" khukuris to dealers. Major distributor is the Khukuri House, located in Thamel, (tourist capital of Nepal) Kathmandu and operated by Lalit Lama.
And, I even used to smoke Khukuris!
<img src = "http://members.aol.com/yangduspag/pict24.jpg">
So, if there are others who have better qualifications I'd suggest they present them and let the forum members vote on who is best qualified to host a forum about Gurkhas, khukuris, kamis and Nepal. I, of course, will abide by the wishes of the forumites.
Bill
