"I think part of me lives in Nepal. I find myself being there in my mind and in my dreams constantly," Uhlmann says, reliving the journey.
The trip got off to a hectic start. Fischbach had nearly backed out when she had a panic attack as she was about to board her plane in Orlando; she went home and called Uhlmann, who insisted she find a way to go. So Fischbach caught a flight through Amsterdam and met up with the other two women in Bangkok. The three set off for Kathmandu, where they would meet a staff of 13 Sherpa guides and porters arranged for by the Norgays.
On the third day, in a remote part of the Annapurna range, the group spent all morning on a grueling climb of about 2,000 feet in 90-degree heat. They finally reached a plateau at about 13,000 feet.
"When we finally took off our day packs and turned around, all three of us, in unison, just gasped," Uhlmann remembers. "You could look down to the river gorge we had climbed up, and across the river were all these mustard fields completely in bloom, like a patchwork quilt of amazing yellows mixed with green. And the river gorge was (filled by) a glacier-fed stream that gave it this opaque jade green color, and there was a Hindu temple all painted in blues and reds and that same mustard yellow. The skies were pristine, and the mountains -- it was just this panoramic vista.
"We were just giddy with the sight, but Deb was just bawling her eyes out."
"Chantal," Fischbach was saying, "Chantal will be too old and institutionalized when she gets out and she'll never see this. It's just so beautiful, and Chantal will never see it."
Fischbach couldn't stop crying. Her emotions had been heightened by the extreme temperature changes between night and day, the physical strain of the uneven rocks and sheer step-ups, the isolation, the mortal danger of a misstep or a rockslide -- and the beauty. Distraught, she felt overwhelming guilt for being on such an adventure while her close friend Chantal McCorkle suffered in prison in Tallahassee, malnourished and cold, with rancid food and violent cellmates -- including one woman who had microwaved her own baby.
Now 32, Chantal had moved from England to Florida in 1988 to work as a nanny. She soon met William McCorkle, a former exotic dancer and aspiring local politician who made money buying and reselling government-foreclosed properties. When William McCorkle decided to use televangelist-style techniques to sell his get-rich-quick program, he formed Cashflow System Inc. and started filming 30-minute infomercials that ran on late-night TV in cities all over the country. Chantal appeared by his side, showing off fancy homes, sleek limousines, and helicopters bearing the McCorkle name. The couple eventually made more than $40 million off the infomercial deals.
People who bought his $69 book and video kit, McCorkle claimed, could earn $10,000 in just 30 days. But when his plan didn't work for them, some of his customers complained that they could not get refunds and were constantly put on hold when they called the company. Others complained that McCorkle rarely followed through on his offer to put up the cash and split the profits if a customer found a "good deal." The U.S. government got involved, charging that McCorkle used rented props and hired actors to pose as satisfied customers and that the couple hid $7 million in a bank account in the Cayman Islands. In November 1998, the McCorkles were convicted of 150 counts of fraud and money laundering. Both are serving 24 years without parole in federal prison.
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Can you still get money back? I am into him for $1000.00 Or this might be a funny question!
i met chantal in prison in the uk and she is a total self-obsessed, pious and institutionalised woman. she has no friends in prison because she still thinks she is a millionnaire superstar - shame they didnt keep her in the USA
i met chantal in prison in the uk and she is a total self-obsessed, pious and institutionalised woman. she has no friends in prison because she still thinks she is a millionnaire superstar - shame they didnt keep her in the USA
I knew Chantal and William when I lived in Orlando. They were both nice people and would do anything for for anyone. The only thing they were guilty of was striving for a good life. This story is outrageous and we should be ashamed that we don't fix the system. Neither of these folks deserved to have this much time taken from them.
I knew Chantal and William when I lived in Orlando. They were both nice people and would do anything for for anyone. The only thing they were guilty of was striving for a good life. This story is outrageous and we should be ashamed that we don't fix the system. Neither of these folks deserved to have this much time taken from them.
I am blessed to know Chantal. She worked many years ago at my parents' greengrocer's store in England before coming to the US. I only knew of her by name as I had moved to the US before she worked there. My dad always spoke so highly of Chantal and when she moved to the US in pursuit of her dreams my parents were very happy for her. It was by pure chance that I found out about 6 yers ago that Chantal was serving time in a federal prison and began writing to her on behalf of my parents. When I learned she was being transferred to Dublin, CA (1-1/2 hours away from me) I promised my parents I would visit her, mostly for their sakes. But from the first time I met Chantal I was a changed person. I have never met such a loving, gracious, non-judgmental person as her in my life. God Bless you Chantal. Keep your strength. Freedom will be yours to enjoy!
I am blessed to know Chantal. She worked many years ago at my parents' greengrocer's store in England before coming to the US. I only knew of her by name as I had moved to the US before she worked there. My dad always spoke so highly of Chantal and when she moved to the US in pursuit of her dreams my parents were very happy for her. It was by pure chance that I found out about 6 yers ago that Chantal was serving time in a federal prison and began writing to her on behalf of my parents. When I learned she was being transferred to Dublin, CA (1-1/2 hours away from me) I promised my parents I would visit her, mostly for their sakes. But from the first time I met Chantal I was a changed person. I have never met such a loving, gracious, non-judgmental person as her in my life. God Bless you Chantal. Keep your strength. Freedom will be yours to enjoy!
Chantal is a wonderful person with the most amazing heart. She nor William deserved the punishment they got. We in America, allow chils rapist and murders walk free in much less time. I pray every day for them.
Chantal is a wonderful person with the most amazing heart. She nor William deserved the punishment they got. We in America, allow chils rapist and murders walk free in much less time. I pray every day for them.
Task Force needs to be formed to re-juv. interest in this case, anyone interested?
Task Force needs to be formed to re-juv. interest in this case, anyone interested?
I MET CHANTEL WHILE SHE WAS IN THE CITRUS COUNTY JAIL WE HAVE WRITTEN TO EACH OTHER OFTEN. I WORKED IN THE ADMISTRATION DEPT. PLEASE TELL HER I WISH HER WELL AND SHE CAN REACH ME AT THE SAME ADDRESS. LOST TOUCH AFTER ONE OF HER MANY MOVES.
I MET CHANTEL WHILE SHE WAS IN THE CITRUS COUNTY JAIL WE HAVE WRITTEN TO EACH OTHER OFTEN. I WORKED IN THE ADMISTRATION DEPT. PLEASE TELL HER I WISH HER WELL AND SHE CAN REACH ME AT THE SAME ADDRESS. LOST TOUCH AFTER ONE OF HER MANY MOVES.
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