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Sherpas Navigate Big Apple Canyons

As tourism fades, expat Nepalese guides turn to driving NYC cabs

By Colleen Barry,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 3, 2007 10:49 AM CST
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(Newser) – When a 10-year civil war drove tourists and climbers out of Nepal, the Sherpas who catered to them also left in droves, and many wound up in New York driving cabs. The taxis offer not only a livelihood but also fewer risks. "I stopped extreme climbing for my own safety," says Tsering Norbu Sherpa, a descendant of Tensing Norgay. ABC News goes along for the ride.

Cab driving is far more lucrative job than mountain guiding. "Even if tens of thousands of people climbed those peaks every year, it wouldn't generate the kind of money that Sherpas can make here," says an Outside magazine reporter who spent nearly a year with the Sherpas. One of the worst things, according to Tsering? People having sex in cabs: "It shows such disrespect."

Veteran Sherpa Apa, 46, right, and Lhakpa display the victory symbol upon their arrival back from scaling the 29,035-foot Mount Everest summit on May 16, in Katmandu, Nepal, Wednesday, May 23, 2007. Apa, who goes by one name, scaled Mount Everest for a record 17th time, leading a team...
Veteran Sherpa Apa, 46, right, and Lhakpa display the victory symbol upon their arrival back from scaling the 29,035-foot Mount Everest summit on May 16, in Katmandu, Nepal, Wednesday, May 23, 2007. Apa,...   (Associated Press)
NY City, Yellow Cabs at Manhattan intersection. (PAR79069)
NY City, "Yellow Cabs" at Manhattan intersection. (PAR79069)   (Magnum Photos)
NY City, Yellow Cabs at Manhattan intersection. (PAR86389)
NY City, "Yellow Cabs" at Manhattan intersection. (PAR86389)   (Magnum Photos)
Sherpas have come to New York to drive cabs.
Sherpas have come to New York to drive cabs.   (Getty Images)
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In-depth report on Sherpas in New York
Outside

Sherpas in New York find themselves suddenly cool
New York Times

Nepalese Sherpas remain extremely poor
New York Times

US • Lifestyle • World

 
New York City • Nepal • Himalayas • immigrant • cabdrivers • Sherpas • Mount Everest

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