SAMOA – A 44-year-old Samoan woman has walked on top of the world.

Rosita Afele is absolutely elated about her recent 14 day trek to Everest Base Camp in Nepal.

Afele is Samoa-born but now lives in Melbourne.

“I’d like to think I am a free spirited person – I love adventures and travelling has always been a dream,” she said.

But trekking up to the base of Mount Everest never crossed her mind until just 12 months ago.

“After talking to a work colleague last year who had just returned from Everest doing the same trek, it sparked something in me and I knew then that this is it. This is what I needed to do.

“I used to have this motto in my school days which was, ‘the view is always better from the top’, though at the time, I didn’t mean it literally.”

To prepare her for the trip, it took a year of training and a lot saying ‘no’ to lots of things.

“Food, caffeine, most definitely the vino – instead weekends of long walks and hikes.”

She said she had not heard of a Samoan who had done this kind of thing, “so either I’m the first fool or perhaps am just a different breed”.

Afele said the journey from an idea to the realisation of it has changed her life.

“The impact of this kind of experience is tremendous,” she said. “It’s mind blowing and it feeds the soul. It takes everything and gives it back tenfold.

“To be honest, I’m still reflecting upon it. And I am sure I will continue to do so. It is an experience of a lifetime. I’m just grateful God has seen it fit to have blessed me with such an undertaking.

“I know we Samoans don’t do this kind of thing. We don’t dream of trekking or climbing mountains. We are not encouraged to have individual dreams and goals. We are more about goals for the good of the extended family and community. “

Afele admitted that when she sent a message to her friends and family about her plan, they were all surprised.

“So at first, my Samoan friends and family were kind of shocked but those who know me understood.”

Afele left Melbourne and travelled via Kuala Lumpur to Kathmandu on October 16.

She faced a lot of challenges during the 14 days she was trekking in the Himalayas but altitude and the coldness were the most challenging parts of her experience.

“Altitude is the main one,” she said. “As you ascend over 3000 metres your body struggles as the oxygen drops from then on. And you feel it. Day two was the toughest as that’s when I hit over three kilometres in height and it was a steep climb for seven hours continuously.

“As it got steeper my body was also adjusting to the altitude. And hours into Namche, I had some altitude sickness. Altitude sickness at its worst has killed people.

“You feel your body is heavy, your legs lead and your whole inside is tightening up and you struggle to breathe. I literally collapsed and I was so sleepy. I had no ounce of energy left when I got into the Lodge.

“And as you get closer to Gorkshep and Base Camp over five kilometres up the temperature drops to below freezing point. It’s always a minus temperature.

“Too bloody freezing for a fob. Your water bottle gets frozen overnight. I slept in woollen socks, a beanie, gloves and two pairs of thermal pants and three layers of fleece tops plus a thick down jacket.

“So getting into a sleeping bag was a nightmare. And on top of that, I had two blankets on top of my sleeping bag.

“And then you start out again at 7.00am and it’s usually freezing cold. I couldn’t warm up. Some people get airlifted off the mountain due to altitude sickness.

“I saw a few people turning back as they couldn’t make the last crossing to Base Camp. That was difficult.”

However, she said that the whole experience was the most challenging and rewarding experience she has ever had.

“I’ve encountered many challenges in my life, and been fortunate with some achievements – but perhaps in the process have learnt very little,” she said.

“But this has been the most profound and humbling experience of my life.

“It’s been an honour and a privilege to see and be part of an ancient city, be amongst some of the poorest people weathered by nature but incredibly every day simply trotting up and down at high altitude in freezing temperature carrying their livelihoods on their backs, endowed with such endurance and perseverance in the execution of their daily lives.

“My every agonizing turn and painstaking step was met with breathtaking views stretching as far as the eye can see, and being in constant awe of the magnitude of creation –seeing the highest peaks in the world always in the shadows above the clouds was nothing short of enlightening.

“It took nature to bring me back down to Earth – it took everything I had – my inflated ego, pride, self confidence in my physical, mental abilities, and in my conviction. Leaving me cold, vulnerable and guilty of the intrusion, but reminding me of what matters is each breath in the moment.

“In my quest for healing I’ve learnt that this process is an unfolding journey and harbouring such loss in its depth can be strengthening for the soul.”

Unfortunately, Afele wasn’t able to take a Samoan flag with her during her pilgrimage.

However, she had a Samoan cap with the Samoan flag on it which she left behind as remembrance of her trip to Everest Base Camp.

“I’ve left my Samoan cap – I was really sad I couldn’t get a flag – at the last teahouse on the trail. There were heaps of flags from all over the world except ours. ”

Afele said that she felt the presence of both of her parents during her whole trip.

“I’d like to say that having lost both of my parents I felt them during this whole journey. They were a driving force behind all my achievements.

“And to my families and friends, Fa’afetaitatalo ma tapua’i!”

If you want to know more about her journey, here’s the link to her blog https://rositatravels.wordpress.com.

- Samoa Observer/PNC