HIMALAYAN LOVE STORY (Satis Shroff)

HIMALAYAN LOVE STORY (Satis Shroff)

Andrea Zimmermann, a young, blonde Swiss lady and Nepalese fiancee Norbu Sherpa wanted to climb the Chomolungma, as Everest is called by the Buddhists in Nepal and Tibet. Suddenly the earth moved.

The two love each other since 2011 and are also rather business-minded. They run a trekking-agency in Nepal and Switzerland. This April there were underway to Everest when the earthquake began rumbling.

Andrea and Norbu were in the Sagarmatha area, when the earth began to move. They were only three kilometres away from the eipcentre, near Sindhupalchowk and Gorka.

What did they do?

The ran to a small village in the vicinity. Everyone in the village was in panic and the people, both Nepalese and foreigners ran out of the houses. As the buildings came tumbling down many people were injured and dead. A woman even gave birth to a child that night.

Although they have a house in Kathmandu, Andrea and Norbu live in a tent outside due to the scare of being caught unawares by a tremor, like the one they experienced below Everest.

How did Andrea and Norbu meet?

Andrea says:'It was in 2011 during an expedition in which Norbu was the Sirdar of our group. As we climbed we were very busy with the mountain and it was heavy going. When we reached the summit, we were elated. Then we descended and our hearts were light. Suddenly it happened between Norbu and me. We came closer after such a wonderful experience among the majestic mountains.'

Gornergletscher, Zermatt, Switzerland

How does Norbu get along in Switzerland?

Andrea says with a smile and a twinkle in her blue eyes: 'He loves mountains. He has started skiing. The only thing that shocks him are the prices of the commodities in Switzerland.

Did the catastrophe cement your relationship?

Andrea: 'Yes, we have come even closer due to the quake.'

Under these positive circumstances we can only wish them a happy, flourishing relationship.

A Swiss documentary film with the title 'Sherpas—the real heroes of Everest' starring Norbu Sherpa was made in 2008. The Swiss TV wanted to accompany the pair to the Everest and to show what has become of Norbu. The earthquake spoilt this plan but the Swiss remained adamant and will be shown as two documentaries with Mona Vetsch with the title 'Fortsetzung folgt (to be continued) on May 22, and May29,2015 at 9pm on SRF1. Prädikat: Empfehlenswert.