I never thought that Hollywood would seem like a bigger challenge than Everest, but tomorrow, after 6 years of preparation, I finally take the leap. I dont have any money saved up. I dont have a job there yet. But I've got this ridiculous dream and the fantasy that for some reason, it'll all work out. Plus a killer friend whose lending me his couch. So fuck it. I'm going. And tomorrow, straight from the Himalaya, I'll land in Los Angeles with nothing but my bag and a harddrive. You have my word that I'll fight like hell for a series.
It wasn't until last week that I started feeling normal again. Having lost 15 kilos in 23 days, I've been spending most of my time eating, sleeping and planning this movie. But last night, instead of playing sax in the forest like I have been - not because I LOVE nature, but because I don't wanna piss off my neighbors - I walked into some random bar and asked if I could play with the band. Couple hours later and I'm feeling NICE. Remembered just how good a few beers, live music and some great company feels. I guess sometimes a little risk is all ya need. Or at the very least, a good ride and a break from the screen....Until next time, #47.
23 days later and it feels like my bones are bleeding. With no clothes, no food, no money and no beds, life as a high altitude Himalayan porter is something I never could've imagined. Its cold. Its dark. Its heavy and its painful. But most importantly, its real. Thousands of porters battle through what I just did 20x a year and they never say shit. But I have lived in their shoes. I carried 100 kgs nearly 10 kilometers and slept in -20 degree weather without a blanket. I experienced their life, became the first ever foreign porter and nearly crumbled doing it. So now I know. These gods deserve MORE. More respect. More money. And more love. And if you're just some random guy eating cheesy poofs on a couch, then equality is enough. Hopefully our film, The Porter, can shed some light on just how hard their journey is. But at the very least, it'll show the world just how friggen hard it is for a dumb white guy like me to try the same. Stay tuned for more. #ThePorter #TheHumanPathfinder
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Photo Cred: @babin_dulal
I cant lie to you all. Sometimes, this shit sux. You get cold. You get hungry. You get lonely and yes, sometimes even horny. But its worth it. Because its about time we came together.
I've trekked across the Himalaya with @babin_dulal, eaten nothin' but rice, wiped my ass with only my hand and carried another's luggage. My belly is bursting and my sodium levels are quaking from the salt tea. And that was only training.
Today, I bought my namlo (the head carrying wrap) and tomorrow, official portering begins. 30 kilos. 3 bags. And another 100 miles. Am I nervous, yes. Am I cold, for sure. But am I pumped beyond belief....beyond belief.
Let's see where this road leaves us. Cuz there aint no chance in hell we're bailing.
P.S. only used wifi cuz I found out I was allowed too. Photo cred to the dopest cinematographer of all @babin_dulal. This would be nothing without you :)
It may look like I've been traveling and living the life that you dream of, but I assure you, I am not. I travel because I cant afford your life. I travel to survive.
For the last few years, I've been living in complete poverty. Counting every cent I spend just to drag out the 5 grand I've made in nearly 2 years combined.
But i don't want to complain. I'm not looking for sympathy or cheer. No. I hate that shit. Fact is, everyone's life sux. And I've chosen mine just as you have yours.
My dream is not special. Its just mine. And i cant help but chase it to the end of the Earth. Because I know that no matter how bad shit gets, theres just nothing else Id rather do than the world's craziest shit.
But last year, I stopped. I refused to continue without filming my next adventure. Because without sharing what I do, there's no point. No change. No learning or teaching. Only mental masturbation and selfishness. And that's not what i want to be about. So, here I am. 9 months ago, I started planning this trip. 6 months ago, I got fired - from dishwashing, then lost 3 more jobs in a row. 4 months ago, I went broke writing scripts to position myself for this show. 3 months ago. I returned home in debt. 2 months ago, I had a mental breakdown hahaha. (The ha ha's keep it light hearted). And last month, holy fuck, everything I planned and nearly everyone I relied on fell thru. But not until after I got to Nepal.
Though now, today, I sit here happy. Because somehow, in someway, we've willed it into existence. Tomorrow, at 4:50am, the adventure begins: $180 dollars for 26 days of survival. No showers. One shirt. 3 pairs of underwear. And hopefully, 100 kilos to carry. I dont know what will happen next. But, you can bet on this: I will try as hard as I can to make this thing come true. You have my word. Most of all, thank you everyone. You changed my life.
See ya on the other side of March.
Just another dude,
Nate M.
