In the Land of Heart's Desire: Reflections of a Western Grandmother in Nepal

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Susan Höivik has devoted much of the past decade to living and working in Nepal, studying its cultures and absorbing its rhythms. She has experienced almost all areas of the country - as trekker, teacher, anthropologist, practising Buddhist, environmental volunteer, and, recently, as a VSO volunteer seconded as teacher-trainer to Eco Himal's Rolwaling Eco Tourism Project.

In this, her personal volume of reflections and experiences over the years, she presents us with new insights into the life and people of the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal. Whether relating her 'non-heroic' encounters with yaks, Tibetan mastiffs, snow leopards and earthquakes, or pondering on the vagaries of electricity, development and water supply, or delving into the mysteries of the tika, Buddhist art or the legend of Shangri-La itself, she writes with humour, warmth and understanding about this 'small mountainous country' which is home to such a wealth of peoples, cultures and lifestyles.

Susan Höivik holds degrees from Columbia University, New York; Leeds University, UK; and the University of Oslo, Norway. When not in Nepal she makes her home in a small log cabin in Norway, and works in editing and adult education.

Having read so many books about Nepal, it was a delight for me to encounter In the Land of Heart's Desire - written from a different angle and with a different focus than much of the literature. Additionally, since we at Eco Himal see ourselves as an agency of one small, mountainous country (Austria) working with another small, mountainous country (Nepal), it is particularly gratifying to present a book by a representative of yet another small, mountainous country - Norway.

Susan Höivik has been fortunate enough to devote much of her time over the past decade to living and working in Nepal, studying its cultures and absorbing its rhythms. She has experienced almost all areas of the country as trekker, teacher, anthropologist, practising Buddhist, environmental volunteer, and, most recently, as a VSO volunteer seconded as teacher-trainer to Eco Himal's Rolwaling Eco Tourism Project.

In this, her personal volume of reflections and experiences over the years, she presents us with new insights into the life and people of the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal. The book is particularly dedicated to the women of the Himalaya: they are not only the goddesses of the peaks but also the true driving force behind development.

It is our hope that readers will gain a new appreciation of this 'small mountainous country which is home to such a wealth of peoples, cultures and lifestyles.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages