A Glimpse of Eternal Snows
A Journey of Love and Loss in the Himalayas
by Jane Wilson-HowarthA Glimpse of Eternal Snows – Travel literature and holiday reads by Jane Wilson-Howarth about her emotional adventures in Nepal as a doctor with her husband and baby. A narrative about love, loss and hope in challenging circumstances, Wilson-Howarth describes life in Kathmandu, remote Himalayan villages, health, monsoons and building relationships.
Edition: 1
Related products
About this book
Set against the backdrop of one of the most colourful countries in the world, A Glimpse of Eternal Snows is an inspiring story of courage, love and a family’s determination to give their child the best life possible. In pulsating, polluted Kathmandu and an idyllic village at the foot of the Himalayas, ‘Doctor Jane’ and her engineer husband Simon hope to make a difference: Jane to fulfil her vision to heal and advocate for the poor, Simon to avert the floods that threaten to devastate the country every monsoon season. The Nepali people are accepting of whatever fate flings at them and here the family find sanity, compassion and joy with baby David, who in England was little more than an ‘interesting case’.
This is a tale of Himalayan highs and monsoon lows, of cultural complexities, unexpected wildlife and rugged terrain, of vivid colour, superstition and spicy smells.
About the Author
As a child Dr Jane Wilson-Howarth dreamed of intrepid adventures, but she didn’t really start exploring until – aged 22 and with a zoology degree – she organised an expedition to record the wildlife of Himalayan caves. Long, convoluted story, but this led to a medical qualification, a husband, many more mountain trips and even some useful child-survival work in various remote parts of Asia. She now lives in Cambridge where she works as a GP, is medical director of a travel immunisation clinic and teaches on, among other things, an international health course. Jane writes extensively on travel and health. Her website www.wilson-howarth.com includes a photo gallery relating to this memoir; she tweets as @longdropdoc. This is her fifth book.
Reviews
‘A story of adventure, colour and humanity – a celebration of life, beautifully written. David’s differences are woven tenderly within the descriptions of the vibrant Nepalese culture and the family that adored him. It’s a story of triumph and a glimpse of eternal snows.’
The Sunshine Coast Daily, Queensland
‘The proverbial life-changing book.’
Dr James LeFanu, The Daily Telegraph
“I’ve just read ‘A Glimpse of Eternal Snows’. It is truly stunning. So many journeys in one book, physical, emotional, spiritual.”
Mary Anderson, The Writer
‘This is a moving but incredibly satisfying story, full of sadness and difficult choices.’
Good Book Guide
Additional Information
Table of ContentsContents
Foreword vii
1 Most Welcome to Rajapur 1
2 New Arrivals 6
3 Disease and Disaster 21
4 David-the-Interesting-Case 34
5 Escape to Sanity 49
6 David’s First Trek 63
7 The Clever Doctors 82
8 Worse by Candlelight 95
9 A Proper Toilet 108
10 Exploring Our Island 121
11 Vultures 137
12 A Real Doctor 151
13 Arranged Marriage 163
14 Business as Usual 178
15 Dust Devil 189
16 Outsiders, Outcastes and Prostitutes 200
17 Dying for a Glimpse of the Cool Himalayas 207
18 The Hot Season 218
19 That’s Life 230
20 The Gods Hear Better from Here 243
21 Blood Sacrifice 256
22 Poor Pooss Baby 266
23 Anniversary Party 280
24 The Wild West 291
25 Doctor Last-Ditch 300
26 Clinics for the Poor 309
27 School for David 324
28 New Home in Kathmandu 331
29 Over the Jalja Pass 338
30 Expats and Fireworks 349
31 David Stands Tall 356
32 Renewal 364
33 Departures 369
Afterword with an Explanation of the NHS 375
A Note on Nepali 378
Glossary 380
Selected Bibliography 388
Acknowledgements 389