rt Hot Fun in the Summertime Our cars sweat to keep us cool and relaxed. Just don't let yours get overheated. "Their way of life is both compelling and fascinating, and has taught me the beauty of simplicity." two girls in his home. Ang Dali, 37, is a sweet lady, a good cook and a very hard worker. I was perpetually amazed at how much energy she exuded. She cooks breakfast, lunch and dinner on her clay wood-fired stove every day, starting with raw ingredi- ents. She also tends the farm, harvests and packages homegrown produce (onions and sang, a relative of spin- ach) to sell at the Saturday market in Namche Bazaar. And she has com- pany over for dinner all the time. As my sore body recovered from my initial three-hour trek, this was my first inkling that the Sherpa peo- ple have super-human strength. Beauty Of Simplicity Their way of life is both compelling and fascinating, and has taught me the beauty of simplicity, a concept I have tried to take home with me. Living in West Bloomfield and Commerce for the last 38 of my 65 years, and being a member of Temple Israel for nearly that long, I had a really different life in the Himalayas. I felt a real sense of accomplish- ment figuring out how to allocate one bucket of water for shampooing and washing myself. My room consisted of a bed with no other furniture. I had an outdoor toilet but no sink. I brushed my teeth without water. I was totally happy with the really high- white-carb diet I normally would not eat at home. Most of all, I felt happy about the chesed, the acts of lovingkindness, I was able to do when helping the children learn English and provid- ing them with warm hats that Sun Communities Inc. donated that they so desperately needed. After wandering the village and having families invite me for tea, I met two of Dawa Sherba Jangbu's cousins, both experienced Everest climbers. Their stories inspired me to go on a trek. The Everest Base Camp was beyond my reach, so I opted to trek to Namche Bazaar, a beautiful mountain village with an elevation of approximately 12,000 feet. I had heard there was a great view of Mount Everest just above the vil- lage and made that my goal. Dawa Jangbu Sherpa was my guide, and the four-day trek was no walk in the park. We would climb up a moun- tain, then down to the Dudh Kosi River and cross the river on beautiful swinging bridges, only to go back up another mountain and down again to cross the river again. To Dawa Jangbu Sherpa, it was nothing. Like I said, they are super humans. To support that claim, I learned that many porters and guides can take you on the two-week trek to base camp, but only Sherpas can guide you to the summit of Everest. A license for the climb costs $15,000 and the total expedition costs about $75,000, and takes three months. Needless to say, the view of Everest from Namche Bazaar was enough for me. Alone With Majesty One day, three girls invited me to meet their families homes in Pahkding, where each family offered me tea and one gave me fruit. I felt so welcomed by these families. Feeling energized by their refresh- ments, I walked back to my adopted home by myself. It felt really good to be alone with the Himalayas for the first time on my journey. As much as I loved the cultural immersion, some- times it was just as special to be alone with the mountains. At times like this, I was able to reflect upon the many steps I had taken on this journey. Often they were difficult, but I knew I would miss the place as soon as I left. The unique environment of the Himalayas was now a part of me. The natural beauty, high altitude, difficult ter- rain and the resilience of the Sherpa people will remain with me forever. At the end of my two weeks, there was a celebration at the school. They gave speeches of appreciation, and the students and teachers gave me scarves for health and a long life. At home, Ang Dali gave me a neck- lace that has been in her family for a long time and has a lot of sentimental value to her. I will cherish it for the rest of my life. Dawa Jangbu Sherpa gave me a scarf to signify a long life, good health and a continuation of our friendship. The bond we built in two weeks has left an indelible mark on my soul. ❑ By Kenny the Car Guy Kenny Walters owns Mufflers and More, kenny@mufflersandmore.net We may love the warmth of summer, but our cars, if they could feel an emotion, would not call summer their favorite season. That's because our cars struggle more in the summer than any other time — unfortunately, the season we drive the most. On a 90-degree day, the interior temperature in a car can rise as high as 133 degrees in 60 minutes. It gets even hotter under the hood. So hot, that metal parts can actually fuse together. Here are several things to do to keep our cars from failing in dog-day heat. dehydrate. Fluids work harder and evaporate faster in summer as 0 we Don't rack let up your more car miles due to frequent road trips. Fluids work harder on hot days, and levels drop faster. Top off fluids whenever possible. Driving on dusty roads? Through frequent construction zones? Pay particular 0 attention to your oil — dusty road conditions gunk up oil quicker, so check your dipstick periodically to make sure your oil runs clean. 0 Speaking of fluids, coolant is your car's favorite summer cocktail. Watch for contamination! Over time, particles build up in antifreeze. If coolant is not fresh and clean, it can eat away at aluminum parts and destroy the engine. Water pumps can fail from contaminated coolant. Flushing your system every two years will avoid that mess. Hoses also deteriorate over time, as hot weather expedites their demise, so watch for cracks, kinks and wear. Heat can cause battery fluid to evaporate, or trigger malfunctions that overcharge 0 your battery, leading to shorter battery life. Have your mechanic check the charge, just to be safe. prevent serious transmission problems, continuously check transmission fluid 0 To levels. The fluid has a reddish hue, but if it's dark and has a burning smell, then it's time to take your car to the shop. Monitoring your transmission can lead to a longer life of the car and prevent unexpected breakdowns. A"healthy" transmission can save money and time, as well as give a sense of ease and comfort while driving. Make sure your radiator cap is not cracked, broken or missing altogether.That little O cap plays a big role in keeping your engine from overheating. Eyeball your fan belt to make sure it's in good shape.This is an integral part of the O cooling system, so you want to keep it in tiptop shape. O Look over your air conditioning condenser- the grate in the front of your engine - and clear away debris so the system flows properly. puddle under your car? Usually it's condensation from your air conditioner, but 0 That you might want to give it a sniff to make sure it's not coolant, transmission fluid, oil, power-steering or break fluid. (If it has any smell at all, it could be one of these.) traffic jams (including 1-75 south on a Sunday) or construction zones. YEAH 0 Avoid RIGHT! Since that's impossible, be aware that idling engines overheat quickly, as movement cools the engine. If you're stuck, and it's a hot day, shut off the car and roll down the windows. Since her trip, Dawa Jangbu Sherpa has been working to bring volunteer doctors and an agricultural specialist to Ghat. Anyone interested, should contact RCDP Nepal or Suzi Colman at suzijon@gmail. corn. an FFLERS Full Service Auto Repair & Maintenance Kenny Walters, a Temple Israel member, owns award-winning Mufflers and More 490 N. Pontiac Trail in Walled Lake 248-668-1200 www.mufflersandmore.net July 18 • 2013 31