After trekking in Nepal, Sally Wendkos Olds and Margaret Roche both fell in love with this mountainous Himalayan country and her people.

They returned four times between 1993 and 1998 and spent time in Bedel, a remote hill village without electricity, telephone or roads. They helped establish a library there, and on each visit Olds, a writer, and Roche, an artist, were welcomed enthusiastically as "our relatives."

Each time they came to Bedel, they returned home with questions about their own lives. Here, in words and pictures, is their story of the Bedel villagers and their fast disappearing ancient way of life.