The publisher sent me a review copy. Here’s my REVIEW.
In October 2008, climbing expedition leader and attorney, Jeffrey Rasley, led a trek to a village in a remote valley in the Solu region of Nepal named Basa. His group of three adventurers was only the third group of white people ever seen in this village of subsistence farmers. What he found was a people thoroughly unaffected by Western consumer-culture values. They had no running water, electricity, or anything that moves on wheels. Each family lived in a beautiful, hand-chiseled stone house with a flower garden. Beyond what they already had, it seemed all they wanted was education for the children. He helped them finish a school building already in progress, and then they asked for help getting electricity to their village.
Bringing Progress to Paradise describes Rasley’s transformation from adventurer to committed philanthropist.
… offers Rasley’s critical reflection on the tangled relationship between tourists and locals in “exotic” locales and the effect of Western values on some of the most remote locations on earth.
Rasley presents a thoughtful, honest account of his moral struggle with the dilemma. That struggle is framed in the story of a one week guided fund-raising trip to the village in Oct. 2008.
By books end, I’m no more decided than the author on whether or not their good works are a net gain for the village. It has proceeded, in any case. The school was renovated by 2009, two new teachers hired and budget in place for 3yrs. The composting toilet had been delivered (but not installed).
Next step … Electricity and Internet.
As an independent hiker, the plot of the book is a cautionary tale of the many things that can go wrong on a guided Himalayan trek. (In fact, everyone who considers signing on with a group should be required to read this book first.)
The highlight of the trek for me was Chapter 21 – Basa Magnetism. One of the trekkers, Karen, had an intense day, physically and spiritually. It got me thinking about my own tough days in the mountains.
I recommend it. And recommend trading it in a mountain hostel for another outdoor adventure book. 🙂
details on Red Wheel – Bringing Progress to Paradise
What I Got from Giving to a Mountain Village in Nepal
Jeff Rasley
$15.95
238 pages
October 1, 2010
Jeff answers the question: Is Nepal A Safe Place To Visit?
besthike.com 
I like the title right away: “What I got from …” He’s acknowledging that there is something in it for him, which to me is an honest, real, and sustainable approach. People who say they are “saving” other people are not to be trusted.
I have gotten at least as much from Basa Village as I have given. The villagers have taught me much about community, the wisdom of living within the natural cycles, environmentalism, friendliness, treating visitors as guests(hospitality), kindness, strength & endurance, the beauty of flowers on the mountain, how to dance and the taste of good rakshi and chang.
I recall my first trip to Annapurna in the 1990s, thinking that this is one part of the world where tourism just might be sustainable.
… That was before the ROAD was being put through.
Can hardly wait to dig into your book.
Now you’re talking! Would that be ek, dui, or tin raskshi? (the number of times it was distilled). Chang thugpa or filtered? 🙂
But seriously, thank you for your enlightened perspective. All good relationships go both ways.
This is a fascinating read. I have spent a good portion of my life trying to figure out which direction makes the most sense without ever achieving a definitive answer at anything above a superficial level. I have too much to finish in the Rocky Mountains to consider hiking in Nepal but I have no problem enjoying the experience vicariously through the effort of others. When I am one with the wilderness, I have no need to be concerned about other things. I hope the people in Basa realize gain greater than what they are giving away.
Thank you, Barry. Your description of being one with the wilderness resonates with me. One of the chapters in “Bringing Progress” is an attempt of describing that feeling.
I have been back to Basa 2x since the book was published and return again in Oct. So far the communal culture of the village has integrated the changes. I hope to have another book coming out in the not too distant future which digs deeper into the meaning of community in Basa. I continue in guarded hope that the village is not en route to cultural suicide as I have seen in other “third world” communities.