Finding My “Didi” Tribe in Nepal

My OG Didi Tribe

In 1993, I thought I was signing up for a trek. You know—boots, backpacks, a little cardio punishment disguised as adventure. What I didn’t realize was that I was also signing up for sisterhood, joy, and a word that would change my life forever.

My high school friend, Marcia, had roped me in (bless her). Our group was led by Andrea—“Dre” to us—a six-foot Scandinavian beauty who somehow managed to look like she belonged in a Patagonia catalog while hauling gear up Himalayan passes. Fearless, whip-smart, and cooler than a glacier breeze, Dre was the kind of guide who made you believe you could climb anything… including out of your own comfort zone.

Together, we set out around the remote Manaslu region of Nepal, moving from lush jungles to icy glaciers. And while the scenery was beyond anything I’d ever seen—the true highlight was the people. The Sherpas who carried, guided, and encouraged us weren’t just strong (seriously, these humans are superheroes); they were radiant. Beautiful, happy, generous souls who danced by the fire with us each night, reminding us that joy doesn’t require Wi-Fi or wine lists—it just needs music, movement, and connection.

A Word, A Ritual, A Bond

One cultural detail captured us instantly. Nepalese women often greet each other with the word “didi”—which means “honorable sister.” Think about that for a second. Every woman you meet is not just a stranger; she’s a sister.

We loved it so much it became our group’s rally cry. Each morning before lacing up boots, each evening after a day of trekking, we’d look at each other and grin: “Didi!” Suddenly we weren’t just travelers on a trail—we were a tribe.

And here’s the thing: back then, we didn’t have doomscrolling, cell phones, or a way to check in with our families. We had no connection to the outside world. So we made our family on the mountain. For that moment in time, those women, Dre, and the Sherpas were my family. And when we all eventually left—going home to build careers, raise families, and start the next chapters of our lives—I carried with me a new, expanded idea of what family really meant.

Why It Matters (and Still Does)

That trip planted the seed for what would eventually become Didi Retreats. When I looked back years later, I realized it wasn’t just the mountains, the dal bhat (lentils and rice never tasted so good), or even the fireside dancing that stayed with me—it was the feeling of being connected, honored, and seen by women who were on the journey with me.

Traveling with women has its perks:

• Reduced Stress: Dancing under the stars beats any spa day.

• Boosted Serotonin: Deep conversations and belly laughs are better than supplements.

• Strengthened Immunity: Less cortisol, more joy—it’s basically science.

Full Circle

So when it came time to name my retreat business, there was only one choice: Didi Retreats. It honors Dre (our Scandinavian goddess guide), my sisters from that trek, the Sherpas who danced with us, and the word that reminded me how powerful it is when women honor each other as sisters.

Travel isn’t just about where you go. It’s about who you go with. And sometimes, if you’re lucky, you come home with more than a passport stamp—you come home with sisters for life.