Patti Shales Lefkos - Nepal One Day at a Time

One woman’s quest to teach, trek and build a school in the remote Himalaya

A Himalayan adventure travel memoir with a humanitarian twist.

About to turn sixty-eight, Patti’s life was disintegrating. Leaving behind her injured husband she packs her bags and heads to Nepal. Solo travel forces her to surmount daunting hurdles-both physical and emotional. While trekking in the forbidden kingdom of Upper Mustang she realizes her strength and determination when she suffers a frightening fall in an isolated cave monastery. Volunteering in remote Ratmate village presents unforeseen challenges, and a visit to nearby Aprik village offers a life-changing opportunity. Along the way, conversations with fascinating monks, teachers, and entrepreneurs provide insight into how best to serve the children of Nepal.

Author Biography

Patti’s articles have appeared in The Globe and Mail, The San Francisco Chronicle, Macleans, Travelife, Canadian Living, Okanogan Life, Profile Kingston, and Okanagan Woman magazines. When not travelling or writing, Patti loves to ski at her winter home base at Silver Star Mountain Resort in British Columbia and paddle and row in summer at her Ontario island cottage with her husband and trekking partner, photographer Barry Hodgins. Awarded 2019, The Rotarian with 2020 Vision, The Rotarian that Connects the World.

Praise

Patti’s dedication as a citizen of the world and a Rotarian is a fine example of how Rotarians are People of Action. From her vision, she has connected individuals and organizations across the world to develop both bricks and mortar buildings and peace and understanding. She is an inspiration and represents the best of Rotary.
Dr. Carmen Larsen, President Kalamalka Rotary, 2019 – 2020 Vernon, British Columbia,District 5060

Nepal One Day At A Time speaks to all of us who at mid life are seeking to make a difference by pursuing “the alternate path.” Her compelling personal story captures the essence of what it means to truly live a life full of intention and reminds us all that it is never too late to chart a new course towards a life of greater purpose.
Sarah Wiley, Executive Director, Outward Bound Canada

Women of all ages will love Patti’s engaging and inspirational story of facing her fears of lone adventure travel in the Himalaya, where she finds fulfillment as a volunteer and leaves the incredible legacy of a new school in a remotev Gorkha village destroyed by the 2015 earthquake. A solid and satisfying pick for
armchair travellers, book club discussion groups and those eager to step out of their comfort zones for rewarding excursions in developing countries.
Bobbie Jo Reid, Managing Editor, INSPIRED Magazine

Travel Book Looks Inside and Out
Reviewed in Canada on March 9, 2020
In “Nepal – One Day at a Time,” 70-something author Patti Shales Lefkos makes a personal journey with a transformative outcome – for herself and for the people of a quake-shattered Himalayan village. Confronting personal insecurities and self-doubt, physical fears, and relationship issues, Patti sets off solo to volunteer at a remote school and tackle a grueling hiking route. The resulting well-written narrative will interest a broad spectrum of readers – I’m guessing mostly women – including those tuned to the author’s internal quest and those simply seeking a good travel read. I enjoyed it very much.
Laurie Carter

Article about Patti’s book at the Vernon Morning Star
Article on iNFONews.ca

Listen to Patti’s interview on CBC