Fort Simpson (Feb 25/04) - A trip to Nepal offered many new insights for a Fort Simpson family.

But when a soccer game got under way in a small Nepalese village at 10,000 feet above sea level, Beth Jumbo jumped right in.

"I wanted to play ever since we got there," said 17-year-old Beth, who has played indoor soccer for years.

Her mom, Alison de Pelham, arranged the three-week trip.

She said she wanted her two daughters and her son to see a different part of the world and realize that Canadians have a high standard of living.

Led by several guides, the family hiked about five hours each day, including through the world's deepest gorge, which rests at the foothills of the Himalayan mountains. They had to alter their course at one point to avoid a Maoist uprising.

The way of life in the Nepalese communities fascinated Beth and her sister Jessica.

The homes didn't have wooden floors, people couldn't afford vehicles and there were few if any televisions, they said.

The poorest people didn't even have mud huts, they lived in tents or on the street.

The children made rudimentary toys out of everyday items like rubber bands.

"All the little kids, they just looked so happy with so little," Beth said.

"Everyone had a smile on their face," added Jessica, 21.

They found out that health care and schooling is not free in Nepal.

Child labour is rampant and some orphans are even sold into slavery and forced to work in carpet factories, said de Pelham.

In their travels, the family encountered monkeys, elephants and donkeys.

They also saw temples and a Hindu cremation centre, she said.

"It was so overwhelming. I couldn't believe I was there," said Beth, sitting in her kitchen with a large stack of pictures on the table in front of her. "Mom, we've got to go again."

Travis, 14, said he is also eager to return.

"There are a lot of nice people, and $50 could probably last you over a year there for food," he said.

The family was there during Christmas, but the holiday isn't celebrated in Nepal. Jessica said she didn't feel cheated.

"The trip was our present," she said.