tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48870323174749752842024-02-19T15:21:17.674-08:00Mag the MuleAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07391796852471877399noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4887032317474975284.post-31780546755887837592016-01-04T20:10:00.001-08:002016-01-04T20:10:23.031-08:00Mmmm......Sausage Legs! (Dec. 31st)<div>
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<b>Out like a light!</b></div>
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Flying half way around the world is kind of a crazy concept. To help with jet lag, I set my watch to Colorado time and tried to sleep/stay awake according to CO time. I managed to stay awake for the 5+ hour flight from Kathmandu to Hong Kong. We left Hong Kong sometime in the morning there, which meant it was night in CO. We slept on and off for this 16+ hour flight.........seriously....who can sleep soundly on a plane when you have to sit for that long? Not possible for me! After about 8 hours my butt, knees, and back started hurting from sitting still for so long. In addition I was getting swelling in my legs from sitting with my feet on the floor and inactivity for so long. When this happens the blood pools in your leg veins and it is uncomfortable. I did my toe pressing and ankle rotation exercises as much as I could but nothing stopped my legs from looking like bratwursts on the grill just before they burst open! My new nickname became, "Sausage Legs!" I wished I had compression socks to help combat this problem but they didn't have them at the airport in Kathmandu and because my brain was numb from a lack of sleep I totally forgot to look while we were in Hong Kong. Ugh!<br />
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<b>I pulled my sock down so you can see the size difference in my leg where the sock was and where it wasn't. Haha! Gross! My ankles were nonexistent! </b></div>
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We landed in New York around 1 in the afternoon with our brains operating at the equivalence of a slug! Our sleep was minimal and we were done! Done! We wished there was some portal that would "beam" us to our comfy homes in the mountains of Colorado. Instead we were thrust into the bowels of the JFK International Airport's United States Customs area where the officers were as cold as granite! Welcome to USA! We were both in a fog and navigating the customs process was not easy for us slugs. <br />
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It was pretty crazy to finally use a bathroom with a flush toilet and not have to worry about having toilet paper or flushing your toilet paper down the toilet! In Nepal, their sewage system is not capable of accepting toilet paper. Therefore there are little wastebaskets in the bathroom for you to throw your used toilet paper into. This becomes a little gross when you are sharing a wastebasket with everyone else and their mother and you see it right there in front of you! Its even more gross when you are using a pit toilet because you have to squat over a little hole which gets you nice and close to the toxic abyss of used toilet paper! I heard screeching horror music every time I had to use a public bathroom. The next step after you do your business is you have to rinse the bowl with water that is provided in a bucket next to the toxic wastebasket. This requires handling a cup that floats in the water that everyone else has touched. Danger Alert: Be careful of the rinsing step because water may splash back on you! My advice for using the bathroom in a developing country is to plan ahead......drink only the necessary amount of water you need to be healthy, always carry toilet paper in your pocket because bathrooms in Nepal rarely have toilet paper for you to use, and practice squatting and aiming before you travel! ;)<br />
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After 5 hours of layover in New York we finally boarded our last flight to Denver! Luckily we both slept out of pure exhaustion to prepare for the last leg of our journey: driving over Berthoud Pass! We picked up our car from my friend Mary Ann's parents' house in Lakewood and started our drive up the pass around 10:40 PM. The roads were clear and we had "road food" to keep us awake and alert. <br />
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We arrived at my house a few minutes after midnight to celebrate the coming of 2016 with Walter and Winston! It was a loud welcoming with good ole' Walter's whines and wales! Of course my cat Winston played the typical cat card and remained coy all evening until it was bedtime. He finally came around when he got his nightly kitty treat right before bed. I guess he finally decided that he didn't have to punish me anymore for being gone. I was in heaven with my sweet buddies.....John, Walter, and Winston! Happy New Year!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07391796852471877399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4887032317474975284.post-38667287568965313492016-01-04T20:10:00.000-08:002016-01-04T20:10:07.763-08:00Our last day in Nepal.......we think. (Dec. 30)<div>
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<b>Near Swayambhu (Monkey Temple)</b></div>
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Its hard to believe it but today is the last day of our stay in Nepal. It has been a great experience and we both have learned so much but we are ready to go home. Because our flight is scheduled to leave at 11:00 PM, we decided to go see Swayambhu, nicknamed the Monkey Temple by tourists. Swayambhu is another famous stupa in Nepal and is always a busy place with tourists, locals, street dogs, and of course monkeys. For the most part this site is intact after the earthquake except for a few smaller buildings around the main stupa. The atmosphere around the stupa was interesting because of the dichotomoy of people worshipping and the vendors pushing their wares on tourists. The vendor stands are right next to the small shrines where people are praying and making offerings. The close proximity of the vendors kind of took away from the ambiance of this sacred site. It was challenging to take a picture of the site without the encroachment of vendors repeatedly asking you to buy the same trinkets we had seen throughout our entire journey. We got to the point where we didn't stop to admire the beauty of our surroundings because that's when they strike with their touting. I was the most interested in watching the monkeys and loved watching the mothers taking care of their young, but every time I started to enjoy my live "Animal Planet" movie a vender would step in front of my "television" and block the view and prevent me from getting the pictures and video footage I was seeking. It was frustrating for both of us because we felt the presence of the vendors really conflicted with what this sacred site was truly about........spiritual practice.<br />
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<b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Near Swayambhu (Monkey Temple)</b></div>
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<b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Near Swayambhu (Monkey Temple)</b><br />
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<b>A monk meditating in a shrine near Swayambhu </b><br />
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<b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Swayambhu Stupa</b><br />
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<b>Mama and baby!</b></div>
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<b>Making offerings</b></div>
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<b>Prayer wheels. </b></div>
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<b>Entrance to the temple area. </b></div>
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<b>There are a lot of animals that live at the temple. I had to feed this nursing mama. </b></div>
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<b>This poor pooch didn't have very much fur. :(</b></div>
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<b>Puppies!</b></div>
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<b>Freckles!</b></div>
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After our visit to Swayambhu we decided to make one last trip to Thamel which is a tourist mecca in Kathmandu and a great place to shop for souvenirs and gifts. Our shopping spree was cut a little short because of a return of the "Colon Blow" that struck us both earlier on our trip had returned to haunt John on our last day. We've actually been surprised at how little our digestive systems have been disrupted on this trip. When you visit a developing country it's not a matter of if you are going to encounter digestive issues but rather how many times you will encounter these issues. Every drop of water you put in you mouth has to be treated (boiled/filtered/chemical treatment/ultraviolet light). This means that eating fresh vegetables is off limits because most likely the vegetables were washed in untreated water because Nepalis' bodies are accustomed to the untreated water. Even if your silverware has drops of water on them it is advised that you dry the silverware before using it. Luckily round two of "Colon Blow" for John only lasted a couple of hours and subsided before our long flights. Phew!</div>
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<b>Street dust on a garden. Very dry right now. </b></div>
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<b>Pigs rooting in a dirty river. :( this is in Kathmandu. </b><br />
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<b>Dental hospital</b><br />
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<b>Lunch in Thamel.</b><br />
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<b>Pig head for sale on table (far right on table). This is a meat market. </b><br />
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<b>Tashi and Lakpa's street. </b><br />
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<b>Playground across the street from Tashi and Lakpa's house. </b><br />
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<b>View of playground from inside and upstairs. Kids play a lot of soccer here!</b><br />
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<b>Goodbye to Ema. </b><br />
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We then made our way back to Tashi and Lakpa's home to shower, pack our bags and enjoy our last meal of Dal Bhat, milk tea, and milk coffee prepared by Maya the great! Because she doesn't speak English and only a little Nepali (she speaks Sherpa) it was hard for us to express our total gratitude for her over-the-top hospitality. <br />
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<b>Maya's Dal Bhat!</b></div>
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<b>Yummy! Rice, chicken,fried spinach, curried vegetables, and lentil soup!</b></div>
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<b>Our last Dal Bhat. </b></div>
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<b>I could live off of milk tea!</b></div>
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<b>John could live off of milk coffee. </b></div>
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<b>View from Tashi and Lakpa's roof. </b></div>
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Then we were off to the airport at 8:30 and boarding our plane for an 11:10 PM departure. Because of India's blockade to Nepal, our flight had to be rerouted through Bangkok, Thailand for a refueling stop. This added a couple hours to our journey to Hong Kong, making the connection for our flight to New York tight. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0zzTINo3uDMig3GU5RAdn_BhdIPoXh52L7Xp3lNGO4JjLgChbvJYbld8hV1HkfNqpZMnp_znkiLsBE83WTLf9-NQWpO96PrK3fyCP7WfnTTPcTc3_oGQJZt4a0-Qk6jN_AppQnFTrGLg/s640/blogger-image-2134271252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0zzTINo3uDMig3GU5RAdn_BhdIPoXh52L7Xp3lNGO4JjLgChbvJYbld8hV1HkfNqpZMnp_znkiLsBE83WTLf9-NQWpO96PrK3fyCP7WfnTTPcTc3_oGQJZt4a0-Qk6jN_AppQnFTrGLg/s640/blogger-image-2134271252.jpg" /></a></div>
<b>Our plane for our flight to Hong Kong. There aren't any jetways at the Kathmandu airport. </b></div>
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<b>BIG engine!!!</b></div>
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Luckily we arrived in Hong Kong early and got to our gate for New York with time to spare! ;) In fact this flight was delayed for over an hour! Yuck! We were just glad that our plane from Kathmandu was able to have enough fuel to leave Kathmandu to begin our looooooong journey home!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07391796852471877399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4887032317474975284.post-30121418409522050582015-12-29T18:16:00.001-08:002015-12-30T05:55:24.547-08:00Dirt Boogers..... (Dec. 29)<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Many, many friends!</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyaVMhVrVowR-a3LYtWRlIxSRkxzi49S0DGDJoNDuYBwsx9xkVAl4j0hrfv9JkX9oWb8CwkcGkP-0X1CY4RO5FVGlAm_iyxXQ1MJiMShGHhgTLdK1XJOj1_oepW_8vfo7MZKqZOz9W5WQ/s640/blogger-image-550848849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyaVMhVrVowR-a3LYtWRlIxSRkxzi49S0DGDJoNDuYBwsx9xkVAl4j0hrfv9JkX9oWb8CwkcGkP-0X1CY4RO5FVGlAm_iyxXQ1MJiMShGHhgTLdK1XJOj1_oepW_8vfo7MZKqZOz9W5WQ/s640/blogger-image-550848849.jpg"></a></div><b>My friend Julie who is a neighbor of Tashi and Lakpa. I stop by to see her everyday!</b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2o3cWoku6zoN8AlAQMlzZmMFBkDfRwDEvSfBLwxF7Auc78t6lkVhXC0TAkhvv8JE6UimGI1-zHeln7Rk5kQP656nf7KjfWY2MbD2pDYpERhdRP_hMNS2bX3boBayd-bdH_KmGkpjQQTY/s640/blogger-image-704118976.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2o3cWoku6zoN8AlAQMlzZmMFBkDfRwDEvSfBLwxF7Auc78t6lkVhXC0TAkhvv8JE6UimGI1-zHeln7Rk5kQP656nf7KjfWY2MbD2pDYpERhdRP_hMNS2bX3boBayd-bdH_KmGkpjQQTY/s640/blogger-image-704118976.jpg"></a></div>I have been able to get my German Shepherd fix! I REALLY miss my kiddos!</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86kc_G6RKdR4QAvZuq9b6T9YCfI_QC5j2BTYhXV-f_gQL5wkVvtt-l1yIreiHVPZrvY9c281v-XXh84LPMf4FCN_K8QWm3hjfO9b1byRIpuH106jKaDjDxVoT-vesy8JGnE5CJLibMK0/s640/blogger-image-1014403621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86kc_G6RKdR4QAvZuq9b6T9YCfI_QC5j2BTYhXV-f_gQL5wkVvtt-l1yIreiHVPZrvY9c281v-XXh84LPMf4FCN_K8QWm3hjfO9b1byRIpuH106jKaDjDxVoT-vesy8JGnE5CJLibMK0/s640/blogger-image-1014403621.jpg"></a></div>Aaaaand another special friend Ema. She lives in the apartment below Tashi and Lakpa. We like to play chase together!</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpd-NR9xHUHwXwEzzYRkq39_lOBkL_zaOemYc5VRoMPEjqG7pZyswOYZ5-uZb667iLSBTaLcmfTX7Djc0uMCkvRy_BrNcsR-bMeG0hdOZ2M_shrMvWVDNWpgQg0aPb9JtVCT2XPwwYtaQ/s640/blogger-image-110652216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpd-NR9xHUHwXwEzzYRkq39_lOBkL_zaOemYc5VRoMPEjqG7pZyswOYZ5-uZb667iLSBTaLcmfTX7Djc0uMCkvRy_BrNcsR-bMeG0hdOZ2M_shrMvWVDNWpgQg0aPb9JtVCT2XPwwYtaQ/s640/blogger-image-110652216.jpg"></a></div>Yummy Dal Bhat for lunch made by the amazimg Maya!!! She is an amazing cook!</b></div><div><b><br></b></div>Historically Kathmandu was made from smaller towns that eventually grew together into the large city that it is today. Leadership of the country resided in some of the smaller towns at different times in history depending on who had the power. The royalty in the town occupied buildings located in the town's Durbar Square. There are four Durbar Squares in the greater Kathmandu area and today we visited the Durbar Square in Patan (southern part of Kathmandu). In legend and in fact, Patan is the oldest city in the Kathmandu Valley and was the capital of a powerful independent kingdom and still maintains a defiantly distinct identity. Its nickname is "Lalitpur" which means "City of Beauty." The vibe of Patan is less frantic than Kathmandu and is known for being a more artistic community producing much of Nepal's fine metalwork. Also, Patan's Durbar Square is smaller and less touristy than Kathmandu's Durbar Square, and because Patan is a city of artisans the city's buildings have more architectural harmony and incredible detail!<div><br></div><div>Patan is quite a distance from Boudha (the area of Kathmandu where Tashi and Lakpa's house is located) so we knew we were going to have to take either a cab for between 1000 to 1200 Rupees (Rs) or get lucky and find a local public bus to get us somewhere near Patan for a cheaper price. The bus system here is confusing because the destination on all the busses is written in Nepali Devanaagari script and there isn't a schedule with bus numbers to know what to look for. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMgzWgK3laTn-2HTZSae0YkZSGdOZqbsJ2I-VjNYr99SKZ2PvrmrZaClVdkT1RiKZzifYteJFqvQg6aLSmCYi-_HckZb6VRZ-mmYXZTDLBvd-QMBzc4v_EYa_wI0lUMEU0cGG45iNZJlU/s640/blogger-image--1296269864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMgzWgK3laTn-2HTZSae0YkZSGdOZqbsJ2I-VjNYr99SKZ2PvrmrZaClVdkT1RiKZzifYteJFqvQg6aLSmCYi-_HckZb6VRZ-mmYXZTDLBvd-QMBzc4v_EYa_wI0lUMEU0cGG45iNZJlU/s640/blogger-image--1296269864.jpg"></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Devanaagari script (top part)</b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcaKlWe3tL5uC0IAtKNGXMENMFYjn9M8rs3MM3KuwSpoeiYNtZleLZx2mjGlJvrT-0PL7uUUQ6KlyePWWC1G3CDr-rARRcsoJ_O-shDFjnqGm8TW-D2csq1Je8lQ5TJ2VBj9TMGoWxExA/s640/blogger-image--198645009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcaKlWe3tL5uC0IAtKNGXMENMFYjn9M8rs3MM3KuwSpoeiYNtZleLZx2mjGlJvrT-0PL7uUUQ6KlyePWWC1G3CDr-rARRcsoJ_O-shDFjnqGm8TW-D2csq1Je8lQ5TJ2VBj9TMGoWxExA/s640/blogger-image--198645009.jpg"></a></div></div>Here is another sample off a curry spice box. </b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><br></b></span></div><div>So we decided to find a main street that eventually leads to Patan and stand on the correct side of the road to find a taxi or bus, which ever came first. Asking the destination of a bus is more difficult than one would think. The bus operation requires two people: one bus driver and a person who stands in the doorway yelling their desination and taking people's money. Of course they are yelling in Nepalese so we had no clue where any of the busses were going, however we happened to ask the exact bus that we needed to get to Patan's Durbar Square. Lucky dogs! So we quickly squeezed on the bus before it moved. The busses are not very big, therefore some people can sit and the rest either have to stand or ride on the roof. Sometimes the busses get so full that people also hold on to the outside in the doorway. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv9yck3oTlc9gYzJJdqU0VKpJ1klUxHuHhz2xAwAICFb4OSQuulOe8z3keosrfUIWUmacNWrzoHNWVVAa0oXzMv2oRIAxNCzGXJKPvcmWMrHBT5fdvxlmZJkP5MVmEG7v_E13aKoXqevs/s640/blogger-image--1227817584.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv9yck3oTlc9gYzJJdqU0VKpJ1klUxHuHhz2xAwAICFb4OSQuulOe8z3keosrfUIWUmacNWrzoHNWVVAa0oXzMv2oRIAxNCzGXJKPvcmWMrHBT5fdvxlmZJkP5MVmEG7v_E13aKoXqevs/s640/blogger-image--1227817584.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>The ride was actually very pleasant and not crazy because there were so many vehicles on the road and they couldn't drive fast. At this point in our day we had walked along a busy street for about 30 minutes and riden on a bus for about 15 minutes when I couldn't stop itching my nose! Oh my gosh....I just couldn't get it to stop until I blew my nose to see that I seriously blew dirt out of my nostrils! In a matter of 45 minutes I managed to breathe in that much dust from the air! Maybe I should buy one of those fancy masks so many Nepalis wear?</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgms1raYE5oga69dU64gzymklMtfHA2PbIzcyCocirfgNQL3wBGzZxouezvqWBlTIfCdfmDcrFZHcznVcyJFyAuifnfpNsL1qer-MbUObC4yYJtxVUOZDAGOPuxTq0CPa9Chg13sLbH9ZU/s640/blogger-image-426843286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgms1raYE5oga69dU64gzymklMtfHA2PbIzcyCocirfgNQL3wBGzZxouezvqWBlTIfCdfmDcrFZHcznVcyJFyAuifnfpNsL1qer-MbUObC4yYJtxVUOZDAGOPuxTq0CPa9Chg13sLbH9ZU/s640/blogger-image-426843286.jpg"></a></div><b>Traffic on the other side of the highway. </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwhtDkM4m_DOpa7zlhW72cvFi96ziYxI8s611kqCO9d-xHF7uC50MTsOIGIpE-kw9YjEJhMId1fjqR-TA27E9sfF0cSU8exsNqgdtC90r20hFGqF3L4eaxrPEinFyOFjq2mMY5GybJRqE/s640/blogger-image-31250850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwhtDkM4m_DOpa7zlhW72cvFi96ziYxI8s611kqCO9d-xHF7uC50MTsOIGIpE-kw9YjEJhMId1fjqR-TA27E9sfF0cSU8exsNqgdtC90r20hFGqF3L4eaxrPEinFyOFjq2mMY5GybJRqE/s640/blogger-image-31250850.jpg"></a></div>A Lorry truck. </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitPaPSCjwnyDWX0CRqQ02h4z9eTG5xqsS1bYn7UxbutsKoym6uwHRo491-VGN56PEQSM2moJuEdCz1LMDMgznz9tiYXkIVqQIAC_crq0v7mbYaQHCbRYorzosntHzCsLJ4OaP_eD65Dfs/s640/blogger-image-1842900876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitPaPSCjwnyDWX0CRqQ02h4z9eTG5xqsS1bYn7UxbutsKoym6uwHRo491-VGN56PEQSM2moJuEdCz1LMDMgznz9tiYXkIVqQIAC_crq0v7mbYaQHCbRYorzosntHzCsLJ4OaP_eD65Dfs/s640/blogger-image-1842900876.jpg"></a></div>The Lorrys are usually very ornately decorated. I love these trucks!</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubq56zA7RisckuHlRaT0RzW2n9Y3m8SGeDa36avz8BQT_L92CWs4IKrFBIYv8g4VLhc-KB9dE1r3SLy9ytnqAVvPs8pfVgUZXV4L3XIu4rPOfk6vjLa5er4STC3l4nUKJh8JZailUbZ8/s640/blogger-image-1978604804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubq56zA7RisckuHlRaT0RzW2n9Y3m8SGeDa36avz8BQT_L92CWs4IKrFBIYv8g4VLhc-KB9dE1r3SLy9ytnqAVvPs8pfVgUZXV4L3XIu4rPOfk6vjLa5er4STC3l4nUKJh8JZailUbZ8/s640/blogger-image-1978604804.jpg"></a></div><br></b></div><div> The ride was about 30 minutes and the whole way John and I were trying to figure out how we would know when to get off the bus. Eventually a landmark let us know that we were getting close and when we tried to get off the bus when the second bus guy told us to ride the bus until the last stop. It was nice to know that he was looking out for us and willing to help. The bus ride ended at the bus park and we were back on the streets in Patan. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibRkyJrCVABxOxPLesrQOd5zR12p-TolIwfOVKPpyJIHzui6RFcImWEejhzNir_S_g9eTv_bycp3MdMK9XO3fbo3wa5uQiR5mP-zvP8_OKgJkIIU9uAnJz_NJQxewGKL6bCiPSY7FalN0/s640/blogger-image--674676549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibRkyJrCVABxOxPLesrQOd5zR12p-TolIwfOVKPpyJIHzui6RFcImWEejhzNir_S_g9eTv_bycp3MdMK9XO3fbo3wa5uQiR5mP-zvP8_OKgJkIIU9uAnJz_NJQxewGKL6bCiPSY7FalN0/s640/blogger-image--674676549.jpg"></a></div><b>Look! Bags with legs!!!</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5IWB0P_gz9qdpE7QlqwCMRBXx-8rQZzDyb9j05C0_OjAB4_hTk6F2CxiPwYF07i-zMqfX1Q90Y03hINmQzJKnw6a2a53cB0D6jzjt-LbdVQSWjm0751upBW_q-nNHOga0zQURzEXjeqU/s640/blogger-image-403185165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5IWB0P_gz9qdpE7QlqwCMRBXx-8rQZzDyb9j05C0_OjAB4_hTk6F2CxiPwYF07i-zMqfX1Q90Y03hINmQzJKnw6a2a53cB0D6jzjt-LbdVQSWjm0751upBW_q-nNHOga0zQURzEXjeqU/s640/blogger-image-403185165.jpg"></a></div>Heading towards the square. </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_9q3y7lSgLMLr5ZAT59Y0IUlAfrqTseX2exQlilSj-T1sGrGwRJ7YnEIcZVqM28j9CtrmgKQK51FxfSl0yoWswnJcgfSve3c3JoticRAH4P7-dJ9aebTI_n6dwW-CIIZWH5wVrDEBsM/s640/blogger-image-1285004702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_9q3y7lSgLMLr5ZAT59Y0IUlAfrqTseX2exQlilSj-T1sGrGwRJ7YnEIcZVqM28j9CtrmgKQK51FxfSl0yoWswnJcgfSve3c3JoticRAH4P7-dJ9aebTI_n6dwW-CIIZWH5wVrDEBsM/s640/blogger-image-1285004702.jpg"></a></div>The mushroom stand!</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBT650XLzLijmQzOeEW0ogL5MV5mUL9JBjnA9NdyFLPicNHnw1OOyzkJjiDms7O-0h_L0k1L6WS3y-_281IPI3ye7RB-1RhYBai0Rz49MspxTmQyF0Wt1nVYBRIdbD9E-mjCMIqsX5kg4/s640/blogger-image-303358442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBT650XLzLijmQzOeEW0ogL5MV5mUL9JBjnA9NdyFLPicNHnw1OOyzkJjiDms7O-0h_L0k1L6WS3y-_281IPI3ye7RB-1RhYBai0Rz49MspxTmQyF0Wt1nVYBRIdbD9E-mjCMIqsX5kg4/s640/blogger-image-303358442.jpg"></a></div></b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div>We slowly navigated our way to the Durbar Square and enjoyed the lack of motor traffic in the square. The old buildings in the square were a sight to see with incredible detail in their architecture. Many of the buildings had external wooden supports keeping the walls in place and that I assume is the result of the April 2015 earthquake. I was especially facinated with the carved wooden supports under the roof eaves of many of the buildings. They were incredibly detailed and there were many of them on each building. People, street dogs, and pigeons sat and roamed the square creating a mellow vibe. We even decided to take a tour with a guy named, Vinod. Vinod gave a great tour explaining the meaning behind each building in the square and even took us to a Buddhist temple just off the main square. The temple also had intricate detail in its metal architecture!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGhkUGsfPLzLCFOgKbfE0sTq0NH7LvBSLybu-ggWW1cLnhrymXndr3_7jB00etzoMPZPnNjbCLWs8uqerzQ__iYGbcjhAhlTJVI6HYKp8bX2IBmAbvplU8YEUZ2s8Dafe67keyEzCdtGg/s640/blogger-image-2115423037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGhkUGsfPLzLCFOgKbfE0sTq0NH7LvBSLybu-ggWW1cLnhrymXndr3_7jB00etzoMPZPnNjbCLWs8uqerzQ__iYGbcjhAhlTJVI6HYKp8bX2IBmAbvplU8YEUZ2s8Dafe67keyEzCdtGg/s640/blogger-image-2115423037.jpg"></a></div><b>Entering Patan's Durbar Square</b></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Y5kU0V1DlBaCRyjVgweOWh9WBgqLO2UwbtBhoGCDF8v4Ode16ZkVcv42d8qV5VZE-rtUaoo6HaGAwGw0oLXCuX_Qt6ChRlGicmqpn-tBn5EticRBh_GvqJXzuR0ucyEVcBFzpnccGpk/s640/blogger-image--794737386.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Y5kU0V1DlBaCRyjVgweOWh9WBgqLO2UwbtBhoGCDF8v4Ode16ZkVcv42d8qV5VZE-rtUaoo6HaGAwGw0oLXCuX_Qt6ChRlGicmqpn-tBn5EticRBh_GvqJXzuR0ucyEVcBFzpnccGpk/s640/blogger-image--794737386.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>A palace. </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFddWpbTuDq793867EXG0SNjFbeD3Tk3bNatzqR00HWjBRRZhvZGdDNk7oo-d2R1gUfqwBBMC-rUjY7nmLPpnTLAushRRHGEmDC-hrqOYWKpgETf1opVViNHYvgqtqVcmWnsQzYhHCDw/s640/blogger-image--581899867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFddWpbTuDq793867EXG0SNjFbeD3Tk3bNatzqR00HWjBRRZhvZGdDNk7oo-d2R1gUfqwBBMC-rUjY7nmLPpnTLAushRRHGEmDC-hrqOYWKpgETf1opVViNHYvgqtqVcmWnsQzYhHCDw/s640/blogger-image--581899867.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Door to the palace. </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgctFm3muSUJ6Nmh7xzvARzoFihyxlCuzPX37X-XQOxvcJPQg1Whd8_Bkfub0YPSTacj4GElKcujTZ5jbdcDb5y6h39p58G-M_-Bd64HqXHkJnf5qxDyqT0bszQLLE0-VlhAwCYs4zecDI/s640/blogger-image-903196906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgctFm3muSUJ6Nmh7xzvARzoFihyxlCuzPX37X-XQOxvcJPQg1Whd8_Bkfub0YPSTacj4GElKcujTZ5jbdcDb5y6h39p58G-M_-Bd64HqXHkJnf5qxDyqT0bszQLLE0-VlhAwCYs4zecDI/s640/blogger-image-903196906.jpg"></a></div><b>One of the many supports under the eaves. </b></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQSx7SHHerffblFAcAMEpwz3N0ZwKUKexxoJEbDWJ-2WAoY6Y0NZVuLWBjqQB-MSfAcNbG_hD8fL7u7EUSiFcyJD3b2trBow84UxWhMw1mIs-xV_UVwmWFUiXbf1ynttV9Ra0XK5MxdJY/s640/blogger-image-557402021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQSx7SHHerffblFAcAMEpwz3N0ZwKUKexxoJEbDWJ-2WAoY6Y0NZVuLWBjqQB-MSfAcNbG_hD8fL7u7EUSiFcyJD3b2trBow84UxWhMw1mIs-xV_UVwmWFUiXbf1ynttV9Ra0XK5MxdJY/s640/blogger-image-557402021.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_uwSRgD9kWMGqavf0oI3PHM81Mb1jEbDo7KKTxVk_guCDwhwN-UliVZrKkI1xFF6NFbJl18L_W1KtypQI9VLvmN-N0h_GZbh_3etykOCbVGP1sLeBecbZVQYjmXMCQvviZmSvBhxkSJg/s640/blogger-image--1001043592.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_uwSRgD9kWMGqavf0oI3PHM81Mb1jEbDo7KKTxVk_guCDwhwN-UliVZrKkI1xFF6NFbJl18L_W1KtypQI9VLvmN-N0h_GZbh_3etykOCbVGP1sLeBecbZVQYjmXMCQvviZmSvBhxkSJg/s640/blogger-image--1001043592.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmm0H_RtZ8Fw6e2xILXPfQq72dWTx6C2EkRM2_UjcdaoglQtXRflAD79A9lBV_bUEIAq__1eqAwloaY0nwMM3uf0vK4IKkARB6wepibiklV0qBeWw3_ROqCvALPrE_agChvWHB06BEU-g/s640/blogger-image--1958207909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmm0H_RtZ8Fw6e2xILXPfQq72dWTx6C2EkRM2_UjcdaoglQtXRflAD79A9lBV_bUEIAq__1eqAwloaY0nwMM3uf0vK4IKkARB6wepibiklV0qBeWw3_ROqCvALPrE_agChvWHB06BEU-g/s640/blogger-image--1958207909.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Xu2qwKG8KvG9K_T7WO9EltLkj0lVTaar03WROCBcJ2EC_bAnw_5QlZQxKu084UYeit03LQjEzSomdMUN1zaX7iQQ0-vfXu8HJAYA_5J_S6xc98lM3eX80isRNdWToOBAGXnWNdudkp4/s640/blogger-image-998115393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Xu2qwKG8KvG9K_T7WO9EltLkj0lVTaar03WROCBcJ2EC_bAnw_5QlZQxKu084UYeit03LQjEzSomdMUN1zaX7iQQ0-vfXu8HJAYA_5J_S6xc98lM3eX80isRNdWToOBAGXnWNdudkp4/s640/blogger-image-998115393.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnl7D6ZZLoJbtg8mUpuLLn250edq5O6dL61T7ZWOS2xdpHWbrc_mSy9toFsFhDVYhN3PV528zwZUW-xIznbo1xBhnSPfUlaR4Dwp6BQ1PPH3h2tOeDphhMmfqvTGuKVjMmZmSDeO0RH78/s640/blogger-image-717243401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnl7D6ZZLoJbtg8mUpuLLn250edq5O6dL61T7ZWOS2xdpHWbrc_mSy9toFsFhDVYhN3PV528zwZUW-xIznbo1xBhnSPfUlaR4Dwp6BQ1PPH3h2tOeDphhMmfqvTGuKVjMmZmSDeO0RH78/s640/blogger-image-717243401.jpg"></a></div><b>Notice the offerings on the ground in front of the door. </b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtMyyRk4Nyf0d03blipZ67DsLorEA6LznS3Ud5sF6r6pwWVhkK0j26BYAiWCglFo_WlzbD_JHF6rP152p7BP1hHZDgpRX2WvgyjbpXHC993XodNk5qS9E6rjqam9qK6OUuUORVu0tz4Wg/s640/blogger-image-526239015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtMyyRk4Nyf0d03blipZ67DsLorEA6LznS3Ud5sF6r6pwWVhkK0j26BYAiWCglFo_WlzbD_JHF6rP152p7BP1hHZDgpRX2WvgyjbpXHC993XodNk5qS9E6rjqam9qK6OUuUORVu0tz4Wg/s640/blogger-image-526239015.jpg"></a></div><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqAyJg6EUhW6jgS7ebPYL5EoDBeONHPStX94FDTOGm0yWgaj59h6TS0fXWNac66qi-fRx9GItbe8CM5ZnrTe-42vtat8XLc_XknRrXYyTnMBd_26ZrzLb5rI44y67yT5HclUpyQrnPICo/s640/blogger-image-652949665.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqAyJg6EUhW6jgS7ebPYL5EoDBeONHPStX94FDTOGm0yWgaj59h6TS0fXWNac66qi-fRx9GItbe8CM5ZnrTe-42vtat8XLc_XknRrXYyTnMBd_26ZrzLb5rI44y67yT5HclUpyQrnPICo/s640/blogger-image-652949665.jpg"></a></div>God of travel. Half human half bird. </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGXl3MWNPvh7KjyL8h6c2HfyJYS5hi6SvGD5dRtqX5glaKT3-n0OX92mGW815sg20Yifs3-mgxsBGo26ij3x3aK4ZPJz5SOja1airrJ3vCAtuE6DvP28_k1CHoQFtvmmcj5RYamXSxyUE/s640/blogger-image--262790388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGXl3MWNPvh7KjyL8h6c2HfyJYS5hi6SvGD5dRtqX5glaKT3-n0OX92mGW815sg20Yifs3-mgxsBGo26ij3x3aK4ZPJz5SOja1airrJ3vCAtuE6DvP28_k1CHoQFtvmmcj5RYamXSxyUE/s640/blogger-image--262790388.jpg"></a></div>Buddhist Temple</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkg8f8lt20Pb1bdUdiM4ZxN2mURKPOJ8NDT34fSeaRUhrdX4y54UvjWzG0LFEDOMjqCm0HVIY6JFaMMYw27Y1R74RClJHZMso05KIRdtheCbKF8DIw0M1hHKiBns2Na3y2t_Ik1B36_I/s640/blogger-image--1181481268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkg8f8lt20Pb1bdUdiM4ZxN2mURKPOJ8NDT34fSeaRUhrdX4y54UvjWzG0LFEDOMjqCm0HVIY6JFaMMYw27Y1R74RClJHZMso05KIRdtheCbKF8DIw0M1hHKiBns2Na3y2t_Ik1B36_I/s640/blogger-image--1181481268.jpg"></a></div>Inside Buddhist temple. The man and boy are monks who are inside the shrine where people can make offerings. </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDxVgSf9pDR3WYDKXIhYXhkcF_26SrIBFzWXLyxWO8kEtVwrjjS4wzSjUz1atSeCtJaMUD-mHLXjaT-8rRYMDilddSMfyhNvUKZzbpqWr9ezIb4682YgagtbTsXBvAP5svvfF-z75weQQ/s640/blogger-image-1961262246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDxVgSf9pDR3WYDKXIhYXhkcF_26SrIBFzWXLyxWO8kEtVwrjjS4wzSjUz1atSeCtJaMUD-mHLXjaT-8rRYMDilddSMfyhNvUKZzbpqWr9ezIb4682YgagtbTsXBvAP5svvfF-z75weQQ/s640/blogger-image-1961262246.jpg"></a></div>Example of the amazing metal architecture inside the Buddhist temple. </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZqVE_92wn9dFuTLFMmmvD_3RsxSOu72gzDxs0tty0b9srjVhIIYUvf2zpITzaAkOf9ZBPzouQo_7_NLrJxN64gugcMEwIjCqm2zW1fkX_LFzbnvFfzC8jIrIQchyUhJWeClLu45qnG8/s640/blogger-image--378486957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZqVE_92wn9dFuTLFMmmvD_3RsxSOu72gzDxs0tty0b9srjVhIIYUvf2zpITzaAkOf9ZBPzouQo_7_NLrJxN64gugcMEwIjCqm2zW1fkX_LFzbnvFfzC8jIrIQchyUhJWeClLu45qnG8/s640/blogger-image--378486957.jpg"></a></div>John and our tour guide, Vinod. </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEickZX_WDYEpp_RBDrr2BvU3e1vRIZWCCNM-lJW1tYTeT7rMR_uMxOTDFBjb1d_0m8yw-FZE_zqcH6AoTu_Hkx-U4ktz9DzPPMWDjGXbkJB7x-UI-3F6nKKiCRnAijLfVE8Teq1Km7sLew/s640/blogger-image-60065205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEickZX_WDYEpp_RBDrr2BvU3e1vRIZWCCNM-lJW1tYTeT7rMR_uMxOTDFBjb1d_0m8yw-FZE_zqcH6AoTu_Hkx-U4ktz9DzPPMWDjGXbkJB7x-UI-3F6nKKiCRnAijLfVE8Teq1Km7sLew/s640/blogger-image-60065205.jpg"></a></div>Healing bowl demonstration. Wow they are amazing!</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTWj5pg958deywwxtxLdqnnoHY04QzLpG7dq2N3w-zCiknzZxbMIJ-5JHAZHnG87AlICRlEpUZ4p1UBtRw9ry_jJcTYF3LYT1yZoKQ9xzyGu6UFhXxag3Y7FuaTmuIGAPx2xCiZ7YurWU/s640/blogger-image-459007918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTWj5pg958deywwxtxLdqnnoHY04QzLpG7dq2N3w-zCiknzZxbMIJ-5JHAZHnG87AlICRlEpUZ4p1UBtRw9ry_jJcTYF3LYT1yZoKQ9xzyGu6UFhXxag3Y7FuaTmuIGAPx2xCiZ7YurWU/s640/blogger-image-459007918.jpg"></a></div><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtI2VIR6JDETZz0BgM0fr5u1cF147ZM1FMZdSzkLr-wCSINj8qsbBhnRGtUZ6TyYKaxM7lIjGtiJup2pCcDwWg-UXxm8ehMF5GwZoq00astNYcOr2eqaqOohdXl9uuW2fyTZOHZOzNCTU/s640/blogger-image--718296643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtI2VIR6JDETZz0BgM0fr5u1cF147ZM1FMZdSzkLr-wCSINj8qsbBhnRGtUZ6TyYKaxM7lIjGtiJup2pCcDwWg-UXxm8ehMF5GwZoq00astNYcOr2eqaqOohdXl9uuW2fyTZOHZOzNCTU/s640/blogger-image--718296643.jpg"></a></div><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKaTpQnyIHKqnx9fVZ0KGAAHcIjmlExzopPWiZNdJmO_u_jjiwnKZ9czWwxsdFG7sq4lzcWLbEv04JWLFOr-2AoEZHPt4gS6V4USd0-PT11SvTHcT0-Chj-bHkbd4UqQOmCrAPO5XMLsQ/s640/blogger-image-567401405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKaTpQnyIHKqnx9fVZ0KGAAHcIjmlExzopPWiZNdJmO_u_jjiwnKZ9czWwxsdFG7sq4lzcWLbEv04JWLFOr-2AoEZHPt4gS6V4USd0-PT11SvTHcT0-Chj-bHkbd4UqQOmCrAPO5XMLsQ/s640/blogger-image-567401405.jpg"></a></div><br></b></div><div>We capped the day off with a tasty Indian dinner at a rooftop restaurant overlooking the square and watching the sun set behind the distant mountains. As we were leaving the restaurant our waiter asked us some questions about our stay in Nepal, about our religious beliefs and then shared that he just recently became a Christian. We had a wonderful conversation talking about his conversion and the importance of compassion towards others as an important part of Christianity and Buddhism. It was a magical evening!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTVw9MEyU1RCZXBw47RQ73ryO4gW6MvFJEZ4eUYPlKHvXrueG09Fm2Rsid6THALN0JzsfvcwC3s4Rf9jknX31VBPxU5kTcOIxWx1cg4qJ9Vb1hJH9CdFOdFgN4K_D7xvblcpyZfQgJi48/s640/blogger-image--991477575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTVw9MEyU1RCZXBw47RQ73ryO4gW6MvFJEZ4eUYPlKHvXrueG09Fm2Rsid6THALN0JzsfvcwC3s4Rf9jknX31VBPxU5kTcOIxWx1cg4qJ9Vb1hJH9CdFOdFgN4K_D7xvblcpyZfQgJi48/s640/blogger-image--991477575.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtOV57m6MjE1Jv23VRuMxMtQXpoRxcpXJhcEkNUWNn1tw2-njUfo1qnAmG9MK-4FYG_LlHXqEZEu-zI2f3fSos_c-QgGSBwTlWo59VBv2_x5uSf3sYnJuHlrS5jwoSLNJTqWJl6yXlCwg/s640/blogger-image-1550718705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtOV57m6MjE1Jv23VRuMxMtQXpoRxcpXJhcEkNUWNn1tw2-njUfo1qnAmG9MK-4FYG_LlHXqEZEu-zI2f3fSos_c-QgGSBwTlWo59VBv2_x5uSf3sYnJuHlrS5jwoSLNJTqWJl6yXlCwg/s640/blogger-image-1550718705.jpg"></a></div><b>Another new friend. It looks like she recently had surgery because part of her fur was shaved. She was sleeping in this spot and loved some petting!</b></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07391796852471877399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4887032317474975284.post-35723522685924838192015-12-28T21:59:00.001-08:002015-12-29T18:17:57.238-08:00Speed Rabbit!!!!! (Dec. 28)<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-hGty_cBQ4lr7R4cJKE8HFgC7_j0gMEBoc0oRJWvMb4mvc8a1Vi7Cwu2bFphEOBP5wq8PL2-Z6-M2z0z2CtuFYXNq0mjvGO7_Nqa5P80SqbqtjMYS9PUVb59N4CozJCdvhVCUqaF9VqQ/s640/blogger-image-27540639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-hGty_cBQ4lr7R4cJKE8HFgC7_j0gMEBoc0oRJWvMb4mvc8a1Vi7Cwu2bFphEOBP5wq8PL2-Z6-M2z0z2CtuFYXNq0mjvGO7_Nqa5P80SqbqtjMYS9PUVb59N4CozJCdvhVCUqaF9VqQ/s640/blogger-image-27540639.jpg"></a></div><b>Simon says, "give yourself antlers!"</b></div><div><b><br></b></div>Time for shopping!!!!!!! John and I decided that since there wasn't much we could do at the Himalayan Hope Home (HHH) instead we would buy some toys/games for the girls. We bought games that were physically active and/or worked on developing their English speaking skills. Luckily close to Tashi and Lakpa's home is a small shopping mall with a store similar to a Kmart in the U.S. (but much smaller). As soon as we entered the store a little boy around the age of 12 honed in on us and decided to be our shopping guide. After explaining that we were buying toys for 30 girls he got really excited and enthusiastic about showing us all the cool toys that they may like. He was genuinely excited for what the girls were about to receive! We asked him if he worked at the store and he said no but that he was "comfortable" at the store. Hmmm.........we weren't sure what that meant but we were happy to have his assistance. Shopping for the girls was super fun, imagining what they would like to play. We ended up buying hula hoops, medium and small sized balls, badmitten rackets and birdies, jump ropes, an English Bingo game, Uno, watercolor paints, and paper. As we walked down the streets of Kathmandu we chuckled at how we REALLY stood out now! Let's face it.......we stand out like a sore thumb in Nepal! White skin, blue eyes, different clothing.......and John's height! We have "Gringos" written all over us! Now we are walking down the street with bags and boxes in our hands......and the icing on the cake are the two big hula hoops around John's body!!! Haha! It's like we have a beacon blinking! <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjozs-jx6B37GQWEAPeQfVai-fIRi-mmq0UWzllEFvMRar_H_dCBXrE4QKHtTT_ocIaEMnjEc5crfqXklCY1e73hKKU-NT03f6EDWeQChyZWl0YjCVu9YyIHIA6uMY7UqPfAEKCf-yyUAA/s640/blogger-image--860393073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjozs-jx6B37GQWEAPeQfVai-fIRi-mmq0UWzllEFvMRar_H_dCBXrE4QKHtTT_ocIaEMnjEc5crfqXklCY1e73hKKU-NT03f6EDWeQChyZWl0YjCVu9YyIHIA6uMY7UqPfAEKCf-yyUAA/s640/blogger-image--860393073.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPEh1Kz-xaezhEw0z9DYHi09kdZqWxOG_fIJPep6XO8gJEpHDJi_vD1g04TMhoPFAR-R4woX4K9ZUWNjmXMe6r9XA9_3C2rXfbVvAuotY6dSmVHWh7XzwOzn1Q2ZuEHCuDAWViA3sRS-U/s640/blogger-image-913639005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPEh1Kz-xaezhEw0z9DYHi09kdZqWxOG_fIJPep6XO8gJEpHDJi_vD1g04TMhoPFAR-R4woX4K9ZUWNjmXMe6r9XA9_3C2rXfbVvAuotY6dSmVHWh7XzwOzn1Q2ZuEHCuDAWViA3sRS-U/s640/blogger-image-913639005.jpg"></a></div><b>...and there's more in our backpacks on our backs!</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div>We got the the HHH early before the girls got home from school just in case there was something we could do to help. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmecv702G3gKbXpzT_wb9ntfwjUE1VfBR4Np2KzoMcpOOGyT50024zSBFAEEuHI6SZnjqNpmx_Us7HxlYNb5RVe2tncWtSQJHCW932UTON-buo3wmQdRAvmG-j8XP8YOKZM32Pw9kg6_s/s640/blogger-image--972295771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmecv702G3gKbXpzT_wb9ntfwjUE1VfBR4Np2KzoMcpOOGyT50024zSBFAEEuHI6SZnjqNpmx_Us7HxlYNb5RVe2tncWtSQJHCW932UTON-buo3wmQdRAvmG-j8XP8YOKZM32Pw9kg6_s/s640/blogger-image--972295771.jpg"></a></div><b>HHH from outside their gate. </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfTnOzwBz0F2bsxpJeA42zLToXOWt5usTo4FYNqA48Py-FUA1qBsk-7xQfMk6DpLaQZrqHrsaO2e0RNa9czAyuvq6MKvPNCZr8MoGg3TR4OZ6-XO-csg9AB56vtfwCmWpOCiEgbylmXQ/s640/blogger-image--1142042398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfTnOzwBz0F2bsxpJeA42zLToXOWt5usTo4FYNqA48Py-FUA1qBsk-7xQfMk6DpLaQZrqHrsaO2e0RNa9czAyuvq6MKvPNCZr8MoGg3TR4OZ6-XO-csg9AB56vtfwCmWpOCiEgbylmXQ/s640/blogger-image--1142042398.jpg"></a></div>Their small potted garden. </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div>The home was very quiet when we arrived but that soon changed the minute we heard a group of girls knocking on the door of the fence surrounding their home! Immediately the home came alive with "hellos," smiles, hugs, and laughter! The girls are the pulse and beat of their home! Right away when they get home they immediately change out of their school uniforms and into their regular clothes. The Nepalese government requires all students, no matter if they are attending the boarding school or the public school, to wear uniforms to ensure equal treatment of all children. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLol2Yzz2e_lHkoTTwXLdeUAxH9mBv2uMMuKchvOMH5VP367hi0tjbZco9Az2QRqXen97-FWIt9CNe8FK-woP5hYLsezom6VSO4qp43YR9-a6T41MsY3qPV1VsvxCYqwrLesqhie2hpxs/s640/blogger-image-40384641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLol2Yzz2e_lHkoTTwXLdeUAxH9mBv2uMMuKchvOMH5VP367hi0tjbZco9Az2QRqXen97-FWIt9CNe8FK-woP5hYLsezom6VSO4qp43YR9-a6T41MsY3qPV1VsvxCYqwrLesqhie2hpxs/s640/blogger-image-40384641.jpg"></a></div><b>The girls in their school uniforms. </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div>After a quick snack of something similar to oatmeal we all headed up to the roof to play some games that I taught the girls. We played a number of games like Speed Rabbit, Zip and Zap and Simon Says. Speed Rabbit is a cooperative game where you make shapes of different animals with two other people. I also chose those games because it incorporated English into the game. We laughed a lot and just got to be kids! It's amazing how quickly you can connect with others through play. It wasn't long before we were laughing out loud, giggling, holding hands and even hugging! </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjxVBZm1vr2eCmVvyzE5LxtZy4LvnbhWVE3HYGmY7dvA5X_4j77ccYFC5kFiN5BxJvKieZ5T26BCn7JAsnnCr_Uslva8Apl2_5MHxJE4_JZPX9Dn7AofyPb7cZdq4YgPxYBEWtT4m9Wi0/s640/blogger-image-364731305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjxVBZm1vr2eCmVvyzE5LxtZy4LvnbhWVE3HYGmY7dvA5X_4j77ccYFC5kFiN5BxJvKieZ5T26BCn7JAsnnCr_Uslva8Apl2_5MHxJE4_JZPX9Dn7AofyPb7cZdq4YgPxYBEWtT4m9Wi0/s640/blogger-image-364731305.jpg"></a></div><b>An alligator!</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTc5ES_aNwWVNUKu5P9I8UkEwMk88pXUw_pe71SiJmv_m4i_lsndVl5aSWI4k2xXzLxBrHErP0bOAZil_s0Kz_GzYuxfWbNhady5kVashwA52UDIG9JK1VGX-wfT8y8zvN2YdRmU22b5E/s640/blogger-image-15819515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTc5ES_aNwWVNUKu5P9I8UkEwMk88pXUw_pe71SiJmv_m4i_lsndVl5aSWI4k2xXzLxBrHErP0bOAZil_s0Kz_GzYuxfWbNhady5kVashwA52UDIG9JK1VGX-wfT8y8zvN2YdRmU22b5E/s640/blogger-image-15819515.jpg"></a></div>A rainbow with a leprechaun inside!</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindME47gmYiAoiAtexxOwodDwX7ikMdKnH7BLg_ajPPUpaRlTzaX4ys8tSdorU9F-ch-l_-WnaU5GUpq647XMCe5GLcUZLlFZw7cuyTpVSjA7kGuPvv_JZRbJRTuRiiIeIE2AxLPEYw94/s640/blogger-image--2112024188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindME47gmYiAoiAtexxOwodDwX7ikMdKnH7BLg_ajPPUpaRlTzaX4ys8tSdorU9F-ch-l_-WnaU5GUpq647XMCe5GLcUZLlFZw7cuyTpVSjA7kGuPvv_JZRbJRTuRiiIeIE2AxLPEYw94/s640/blogger-image--2112024188.jpg"></a></div>Simon says!</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgdAZw4IhqdJNpeIfFKm_NTq627c9V43aE-M6HKBd_OrWnWe5NddhGnSBm0ZfGIEDH2oJqzT3o6NBGH5gPjObbx7uQO7H07mzni3I7-Y-mNxFOID_GphbySg7FZL_xP8kcnnsfTPrvCQ/s640/blogger-image-1723944354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgdAZw4IhqdJNpeIfFKm_NTq627c9V43aE-M6HKBd_OrWnWe5NddhGnSBm0ZfGIEDH2oJqzT3o6NBGH5gPjObbx7uQO7H07mzni3I7-Y-mNxFOID_GphbySg7FZL_xP8kcnnsfTPrvCQ/s640/blogger-image-1723944354.jpg"></a></div>Simon says, "be a buffalo!"</div><br></b></div><div>I<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> wished we could stay there longer. Because Pema had to walk us to an area away from the home to catch a taxi, we had to leave before it got dark to make sure Pema got home in time for dinner and nighttime activities with the girls. I was sad to leave but ready to continue a relationship with the girls and this organization. Learning English is a very important part of their education for their future success. I am hoping to find some students at my school in Granby that might want to be penpals with any of the girls at the HHH. Many of the girls at the home love speaking English and dream of coming to the United States some day. Krisma is around the age of 12 and often pretends she is in the United States and has conversations with herself in English. She really has a passion for the language!!!! The girls at the home definitely have a special place in my heart forever! Thank you HHH!!!!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIOHExyDx7esFaOJzRRiQBQ3KnI3wQ3S3Y6xUbgNjahi5XiVaS0pIx6iVR1l_0AWpHipWpO9vWeD1YT_AIPFAX4Hx00I4hSieM9d-PmNSQgHAhZJSCq0WiNK4urrolo6EiqLLYDf2Pvhs/s640/blogger-image--1255832816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIOHExyDx7esFaOJzRRiQBQ3KnI3wQ3S3Y6xUbgNjahi5XiVaS0pIx6iVR1l_0AWpHipWpO9vWeD1YT_AIPFAX4Hx00I4hSieM9d-PmNSQgHAhZJSCq0WiNK4urrolo6EiqLLYDf2Pvhs/s640/blogger-image--1255832816.jpg"></a></div><b>The girl on the left is the youngest at the home (3 1/2 years old). She was absolutely precious and I loved watching how the older girls really looked after her. </b></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07391796852471877399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4887032317474975284.post-77770564630143298732015-12-28T10:38:00.001-08:002015-12-28T21:20:45.907-08:00A Rainbow in the Rough! (Dec. 27th)<div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQ2AmX-KemVfeEM_AgW4YGKQsG7SDJxy1egdm7hjrIusa0YwPT9WYdZFX0_R3GG-Tu5RJPpuvEb85qVn58tktL4g8yLE4yRClyKUXnC67SxOY-F7qnB5d5XSyZnM5SoMb991pYJD756Q/s640/blogger-image--755550247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQ2AmX-KemVfeEM_AgW4YGKQsG7SDJxy1egdm7hjrIusa0YwPT9WYdZFX0_R3GG-Tu5RJPpuvEb85qVn58tktL4g8yLE4yRClyKUXnC67SxOY-F7qnB5d5XSyZnM5SoMb991pYJD756Q/s640/blogger-image--755550247.jpg"></a></div><b>HHH: notice paint on wall behind the girls. "Keep smiling"</b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><br></b></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We started our day by navigating the streets of Kathmandu in search of the Kopan Monastery. As I have alluded to in earlier posts the layout of the city is not structured, there is maybe one street sign for every 150 streets, and a map is not very helpful because it is impossible to find a map with any sort of detail. You have to make guesses to where you are going and hope that people will understand what you are looking for to direct you. Many tourist rely on taxis to get to the tourist spots but we like to walk and feel the beat of the streets when our destination is relatively close (within an hour or two). As a westerner, walking the streets of Kathmandu is a challenge in itself and can be very overwhelming! There are streets of all sizes ranging from big two lane roads (with no lines indicating lanes though) to narrow 10 feet wide walkways. I say walkways because that best describes a foot traffic only area in the United States........however, in Nepal motor bikes and cars zoom through tight areas congested with people, motor bikes, street dogs, chickens, and cows. You have to always be on your "A" game or you will get run over! The terrain for walking is not like a manicured sidewalk you often find in the west. The sidewalks are more like rubble most likely because they are extremely old but also from the many earthquakes that occur in Nepal. I struggle keeping my balance walking the streets in my running shoes and I marvel at the Nepalese women walking in their dress shoes like it's a walk in the park. The sounds in the city range from car horns, dogs barking, people yelling, car horns, drums beating from a nearby school, car horns, truck horns, bus horns, whistles blowing, car horns, rooster crows, car horns, brakes squeaking, construction noise, and did I mention car horns? Don't forget.....the horn is how drivers signal their moves to pedestrians and other cars and are not always a communication of anger. Breathing the air and smells of cities in Nepal is difficult as well. Right now is Nepal's dry season so there is a ton of dirt and dust in the air, and when mixed with the pollution from the vehicles it can be very difficult to breathe. Many travelers get respiratory infections while staying in Kathmandu from the pollution and many Nepalese people wear masks over their mouths when outside. They make the masks quite fashionable with fun patterns! Sometimes when we are walking I feel like I am suffocating because the air has so much dust and pollution. I really felt it when we were walking to the Kopan Monastery because it is located at the top of a big hill and I was having to breathe hard. To John and I, navigating the streets gets a little overwhelming because we are not used to all the intense stimuli overloading our senses. You really have to be on guard at all times and when you find yourself distracted by something you are looking at a horn will abruptly startle you! Each day we get a little more desensitized and more comfortable because we are forcing ourselves to experience everything. I know what I explained sounds like mass chaos, but somehow all of it works together and functions. It's just different compared to what we are used to and makes the Nepalese culture unique, which is a reason I like to visit Nepal. I love learning about other people.....especially when they are different from me! Differences are a beautiful thing!</span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRjUNpgXPds60yowBIIqSA4rAtXuG6KBAvuMem9LoypSk3YOUWfxG5NGc-yovu1QaR6-q8pmQaMLqRoISx63-BOjRVvumlHg9FXrwmzbagkgC6yK7LesZTKVHvEQvUISKJ-Xl3H90Tv4w/s640/blogger-image--403841121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRjUNpgXPds60yowBIIqSA4rAtXuG6KBAvuMem9LoypSk3YOUWfxG5NGc-yovu1QaR6-q8pmQaMLqRoISx63-BOjRVvumlHg9FXrwmzbagkgC6yK7LesZTKVHvEQvUISKJ-Xl3H90Tv4w/s640/blogger-image--403841121.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Typical street but this is a rare moment of not being busy. </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6k8ihqNCK2dbrmqUiWtVmFLgXjf29dBHxw2S5am4pZ11SHV6Q7OntRmuJsHNmnBq6_aTRqLdSWhLiGlF1FY6gUy4iB2pbw3iIBQoZ1y2En0ZE3ECHncbTNH8C4CV5iXy7dDkQBkozWv0/s640/blogger-image--1729974922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6k8ihqNCK2dbrmqUiWtVmFLgXjf29dBHxw2S5am4pZ11SHV6Q7OntRmuJsHNmnBq6_aTRqLdSWhLiGlF1FY6gUy4iB2pbw3iIBQoZ1y2En0ZE3ECHncbTNH8C4CV5iXy7dDkQBkozWv0/s640/blogger-image--1729974922.jpg"></a></div><br></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5f42e9Aox8wDZKWHEhu-jjYGRs7b1_e3GLo51igk-r1oGHsTrbE8vkjJriDl-xDFuBZnr9xjfvKTqnZaVr4TpHuJw-raCzkcir1NWDZQoZU6MIn5lkgN1OZqjkFb1SAx8j_bown4lIMU/s640/blogger-image--875811293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5f42e9Aox8wDZKWHEhu-jjYGRs7b1_e3GLo51igk-r1oGHsTrbE8vkjJriDl-xDFuBZnr9xjfvKTqnZaVr4TpHuJw-raCzkcir1NWDZQoZU6MIn5lkgN1OZqjkFb1SAx8j_bown4lIMU/s640/blogger-image--875811293.jpg"></a></div><br></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1bLqpBho0yroS0-a-wfm-xLkgRJrU2rM6YtwmsJduA-3jiVtCj-2DDk0OlCh5yz0flmq5YRqhRTbStVMOlcdjgnowL_CeIqv6JZvvd73jfzRdjLb_TeHF_M1GlWsDn-q0qMQh122Aag/s640/blogger-image-530406313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1bLqpBho0yroS0-a-wfm-xLkgRJrU2rM6YtwmsJduA-3jiVtCj-2DDk0OlCh5yz0flmq5YRqhRTbStVMOlcdjgnowL_CeIqv6JZvvd73jfzRdjLb_TeHF_M1GlWsDn-q0qMQh122Aag/s640/blogger-image-530406313.jpg"></a></div><b>Healthcare</b></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Surrounded by what I consider chaos leading up to the monastery, we stepped through a gate and our world changed abruptly. The Kopan Monastery is located on top of a big hill overlooking Kathmandu and is surrounded by a gate and space that sets it apart from the chaos. The monastery is home to 360 monks, lamas, teachers, and volunteers. This monastic community is devoted to the practice and study of Buddhism. They also offer extended courses for people wanting to learn the Buddhist ways. The grounds of the monastery was like a paradise and offered John and me a break from the chaos. The landscaping, architecture, and vibe was very peaceful!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6OoqJuJrmP341qSZu5O-6Y5-sA24Y2q4Nc9v7TaHNnsy76xsA8TVahLvOzEYC9Y_kZWRllCCp-xjthh_2WpZjyxMWjpk4BGmqYNGCNtAK3do0W2AJEQnwtRtinIrc9t4LwJH7ymBe5RI/s640/blogger-image-1976663369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6OoqJuJrmP341qSZu5O-6Y5-sA24Y2q4Nc9v7TaHNnsy76xsA8TVahLvOzEYC9Y_kZWRllCCp-xjthh_2WpZjyxMWjpk4BGmqYNGCNtAK3do0W2AJEQnwtRtinIrc9t4LwJH7ymBe5RI/s640/blogger-image-1976663369.jpg"></a></div><b>Inside monastery gompa. </b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><br></b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgon3Ca9os4Kw9O8kEPB8xxjzEpdpCu4yJ0SJZsAILo4zOaENHYQ8kKDd6Zz1lwmB7qedi1-uXtQK9jziEM-oW3SomUgzfSGkRbSIsJFOnjK-9g2VIDxfICxPjxLd8EGKcEWsdzN7e-U28/s640/blogger-image-844172818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgon3Ca9os4Kw9O8kEPB8xxjzEpdpCu4yJ0SJZsAILo4zOaENHYQ8kKDd6Zz1lwmB7qedi1-uXtQK9jziEM-oW3SomUgzfSGkRbSIsJFOnjK-9g2VIDxfICxPjxLd8EGKcEWsdzN7e-U28/s640/blogger-image-844172818.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Outside gompa </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLKq_YIlXFdP_jjNzNVek4rGcqOAY8s86A_IQIYABH50vqeYxpiBEAm6h3Bh8WhADgFW_WxiQ05qsqVAGPtjIb-KAclUf9Ebk-S5ozrAygxkr8FNCzrovY05hSKlDirrcvZ2j9lEELnO8/s640/blogger-image-1998233785.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLKq_YIlXFdP_jjNzNVek4rGcqOAY8s86A_IQIYABH50vqeYxpiBEAm6h3Bh8WhADgFW_WxiQ05qsqVAGPtjIb-KAclUf9Ebk-S5ozrAygxkr8FNCzrovY05hSKlDirrcvZ2j9lEELnO8/s640/blogger-image-1998233785.jpg"></a></div>View of Kathmandu from Kopan Monastery </div><br></b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFMM9D_yDK7indXbNO47lXU6grcuauM7s-Vc6CO6Nep6AttD1GVLgQ6ewCt7y4hFxU21vtJLpjZtQRZjplZwUeyItrVavJF4uwKuQqGYr6npi6JzJG11lnaaa3hWLnsNi-a2dg5EMI-p8/s640/blogger-image--74129011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFMM9D_yDK7indXbNO47lXU6grcuauM7s-Vc6CO6Nep6AttD1GVLgQ6ewCt7y4hFxU21vtJLpjZtQRZjplZwUeyItrVavJF4uwKuQqGYr6npi6JzJG11lnaaa3hWLnsNi-a2dg5EMI-p8/s640/blogger-image--74129011.jpg"></a></div><br></b></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicsBquu7KzSpB6aNu8dIbq1r3G4WmCXRL37UGGRJmZdwEOw1MlqpsLoBAknJh4JPZdhls724Jt5QlGDJb1dBEA018kOfnjlhGyxPoYgXfCCl-sMrdhtRA04h-_zXd5LBLwvy6artuTPEQ/s640/blogger-image--133378035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicsBquu7KzSpB6aNu8dIbq1r3G4WmCXRL37UGGRJmZdwEOw1MlqpsLoBAknJh4JPZdhls724Jt5QlGDJb1dBEA018kOfnjlhGyxPoYgXfCCl-sMrdhtRA04h-_zXd5LBLwvy6artuTPEQ/s640/blogger-image--133378035.jpg"></a></div><b>1000 Buddhas Stupa (there are 1000 Buddha statues in this stupa)</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVfmpZIVP8aQZ8GvRmlvpRE2RxMrY91tEm9XJ5ob96FCouJh5jWspxIu-J5SiUCe9_NrCVcTnq574bnJe1F2OishmYZyvhakQczWTR8Uzb19WC-O2OC4SyZW6KhcjlIuqTEeQah0K1Fc/s640/blogger-image-284207367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVfmpZIVP8aQZ8GvRmlvpRE2RxMrY91tEm9XJ5ob96FCouJh5jWspxIu-J5SiUCe9_NrCVcTnq574bnJe1F2OishmYZyvhakQczWTR8Uzb19WC-O2OC4SyZW6KhcjlIuqTEeQah0K1Fc/s640/blogger-image-284207367.jpg"></a></div><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtCjp2Ex_cZrIl05JI8HfjvpCZSwH8lqEBIjkv-13P7PwRupaUhhN3M8r6QqDXTLL0nxyaItmlqg-NqBITtrfWBMXRU_omPbLfIv_y-sA8Xr-8SeZrJpf-SA4z0WuN2Kct6FocECPcdp0/s640/blogger-image-314723296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtCjp2Ex_cZrIl05JI8HfjvpCZSwH8lqEBIjkv-13P7PwRupaUhhN3M8r6QqDXTLL0nxyaItmlqg-NqBITtrfWBMXRU_omPbLfIv_y-sA8Xr-8SeZrJpf-SA4z0WuN2Kct6FocECPcdp0/s640/blogger-image-314723296.jpg"></a></div>A child monk who is playing with a toy. </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis_XtJqStCscjuF4Y4Rpff2mdMvhpB1hX00VPpXJgi0yrpdDdnZG_XLbWuihmwEtcs-KgDTlZmfpcQJnZQB3QVLm-5XSwTvJ074y_0JYXf7QzbgQkJ2sZ6-amBjyZCdTw6jgz9DYDlhiA/s640/blogger-image--903223747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis_XtJqStCscjuF4Y4Rpff2mdMvhpB1hX00VPpXJgi0yrpdDdnZG_XLbWuihmwEtcs-KgDTlZmfpcQJnZQB3QVLm-5XSwTvJ074y_0JYXf7QzbgQkJ2sZ6-amBjyZCdTw6jgz9DYDlhiA/s640/blogger-image--903223747.jpg"></a></div>This a a garden with miniature scenes like a fairy garden. Each scene tells a part of the Buddhist story. </b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyzXrVa8uFLoTsHA4XojoCpmb4DL2Bh5Fb0knmnSEXrInZl3NLuW8QJDqB4biEVxFw4jmz7zaX2kvuE-XPCAH3jqJVRRsH4g58oolPpi3kvvn0c3Nj5uNPw_bVlC85A0JxCCMZ_xpNVCI/s640/blogger-image--927180159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyzXrVa8uFLoTsHA4XojoCpmb4DL2Bh5Fb0knmnSEXrInZl3NLuW8QJDqB4biEVxFw4jmz7zaX2kvuE-XPCAH3jqJVRRsH4g58oolPpi3kvvn0c3Nj5uNPw_bVlC85A0JxCCMZ_xpNVCI/s640/blogger-image--927180159.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRl0MOnd5gNJFj0yVfhCdElbOTfaqe9X8nFRPNGxANGmdRXW-jjeZUb17VyV9GMkwKoPtqa_9KFEaCg73sZo9NN1ybRPjSDLA9QXpoOhfhVcQHwuNVnsgpJDMUhKJ31qUGmClIiPqBIqQ/s640/blogger-image--1574570860.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRl0MOnd5gNJFj0yVfhCdElbOTfaqe9X8nFRPNGxANGmdRXW-jjeZUb17VyV9GMkwKoPtqa_9KFEaCg73sZo9NN1ybRPjSDLA9QXpoOhfhVcQHwuNVnsgpJDMUhKJ31qUGmClIiPqBIqQ/s640/blogger-image--1574570860.jpg"></a></div>Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. </b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjniNxC_8aaHbiJuYlW4yr3t-LToZgQDVLT90QSrC2oLczL__jzmvBLvi4yjMqsk4CdUgsqdbtm4OUexSgmunBS55ZEmZgUc086jvS1IkBUUaTtjkM_xQDfbyQaPaYpTmolVuDO85r_Rb8/s640/blogger-image-1053660540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjniNxC_8aaHbiJuYlW4yr3t-LToZgQDVLT90QSrC2oLczL__jzmvBLvi4yjMqsk4CdUgsqdbtm4OUexSgmunBS55ZEmZgUc086jvS1IkBUUaTtjkM_xQDfbyQaPaYpTmolVuDO85r_Rb8/s640/blogger-image-1053660540.jpg"></a></div><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ONOxZT3V7AkXXFDBNqJ6B8oqh65MQjrfqeLncL268aq4XjtcYnJJNJbSrLa32-Vaaeo-F8unGubfYtGMLxjLqZgjgXeTpph9kv_IRcOQ6VKOYE2C_PS8zn-3pM-gNQS6nc8bySPtKME/s640/blogger-image--300903718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ONOxZT3V7AkXXFDBNqJ6B8oqh65MQjrfqeLncL268aq4XjtcYnJJNJbSrLa32-Vaaeo-F8unGubfYtGMLxjLqZgjgXeTpph9kv_IRcOQ6VKOYE2C_PS8zn-3pM-gNQS6nc8bySPtKME/s640/blogger-image--300903718.jpg"></a></div>Monk children playing badmitten outside their living quarters in the monastery. </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9v8409tqqf0jkVnezfuRb6Sp4UhYmn5R8RiSqn3LpkK6QqJbV_fRBPPXKXyPjbOKDIJFYwlDVj5NV2HUxncGDEm6zjd5A2g8w6HQOH-y0N-6IaO1OEbUGCsCG_jlswJGx0PtOnCafF9o/s640/blogger-image-1271624841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9v8409tqqf0jkVnezfuRb6Sp4UhYmn5R8RiSqn3LpkK6QqJbV_fRBPPXKXyPjbOKDIJFYwlDVj5NV2HUxncGDEm6zjd5A2g8w6HQOH-y0N-6IaO1OEbUGCsCG_jlswJGx0PtOnCafF9o/s640/blogger-image-1271624841.jpg"></a></div>This is what you first see when you enter the monastery. "Welcome Home"</b></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Our next destination was even better!!!!! I have found my pot of gold (and maybe Kermit the Frog) near a GIGANTIC rainbow! Pema met us at the entrance of the monestery to take walk us to the Himalayan Hope Home (HHH) nearby. As I explained in the last blog entry, the HHH is a home for girls who are from the Solu Khumbu region and who have either lost their parents or their parents are missing. The Small World (TSW) (</span><a href="http://thesmallworld.org/" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">http://thesmallworld.org/</a>) is a nonprofit <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">organization that does so much for the people of the Solu Khumbu region. (The Solu Khumbu region is the area near Mt. Everest and has a high percentage of Sherpa people.) Children who lose their parents often become victims of human trafficking and the HHH gives these girls a place to live in Kathmandu while they earn an education. After they finish school they are expected to return to the Solu Khumbu region and give back to their community. It is common for children of the Khumbu to live at a boarding school in Kathmandu during their school age years. However, because these girls do not have parents they would normally not go to school and therefore fall into the hands of human trafficking. The HHH is a large home for 30 girls ranging from 3 1/2 to 17 years old. All the girls consider themselves to be sisters and they have two women, whom they also call their sisters and take care of the girls. Pema is one of the women who live with and take care of the girls. We were immediately welcomed with bright smiles and enthusiasm as we entered the gate to the HHH! We were led into a room where we all sat in a circle and all the girls introduced themselves to us. Krisma and Pasang gave us a tour of their garden naming all the vegetables and how they care for it. Because there are 30 girls with a wide age range, they are divided into groups of 6 or 7 girls with an older girl who is their leader. They share a room in their group and all of them take care of each other. There was an overwhelming and infectious sense of happiness and compassion among the girls and you could tell they were choosing to "walk on the sunnyside of the street." I just can't imagine what it was like for them to lose their parents and all the other trials and tribulations life had already thrown at them. The HHH is truly a rainbow with a huge pot of "gold" in the form of life and prosperity! The home just pours with positivity from the girls, messages written on the walls, and the girls' artwork! At one point I was overtaken by tears not because I felt sorry for the girls but because of the beauty I was surrounded by. These girls were like a huge family making the most of their circumstances. I was witnessing a delicate balance of independence and community. There was an elevated sense of maturity among all ages because of necessity. It appeared that each girl was loved and supported which is far more than many of today's children get. This home is a beautiful thing...........probably the most meaningful part of my trip to Nepal. I want to come back to these girls in the future.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdGKCdOXIfZfFjeXpnLgeE8aL9vd3YMICDEb9-HjnqQLqyzdDKi9v2Fd9Vd890U3gGVpjoqgqWPFIVXN9B52zTHeazUh2OA8LpY7O4UTANPmFRWoIxBdkk2kuJ0FC38Ns7xR1OMGfWgqQ/s640/blogger-image--1959667874.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdGKCdOXIfZfFjeXpnLgeE8aL9vd3YMICDEb9-HjnqQLqyzdDKi9v2Fd9Vd890U3gGVpjoqgqWPFIVXN9B52zTHeazUh2OA8LpY7O4UTANPmFRWoIxBdkk2kuJ0FC38Ns7xR1OMGfWgqQ/s640/blogger-image--1959667874.jpg"></a></div><b>The rainbow!</b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZ5wIRxmcxHvFWaIJS2xmCuWoQEiHo5Tf0X-yIlhJlmAqWQxKptIHTLyJApaPlCgFGcU9XmdxQP4wOLiscTz_9cb_J_5BoiGZkSMqkvvFj7rAtLYgfAWV3-CT4GuRAupQ21HSE3_PihM/s640/blogger-image-1820642296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZ5wIRxmcxHvFWaIJS2xmCuWoQEiHo5Tf0X-yIlhJlmAqWQxKptIHTLyJApaPlCgFGcU9XmdxQP4wOLiscTz_9cb_J_5BoiGZkSMqkvvFj7rAtLYgfAWV3-CT4GuRAupQ21HSE3_PihM/s640/blogger-image-1820642296.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkLaxkc6T-MNfl5lkDzk8Hu5SmKRZiEG86S_MkpRNar0g6JsWOBolWT9Eee2jLkOsDXpnElqPCA4pDe1gYbFFYgUeI3BPPg_WuZSjrKFMT-WOOICYI7x7lkwowIB5WP3GrRYijQGu_mjM/s640/blogger-image--2135927114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkLaxkc6T-MNfl5lkDzk8Hu5SmKRZiEG86S_MkpRNar0g6JsWOBolWT9Eee2jLkOsDXpnElqPCA4pDe1gYbFFYgUeI3BPPg_WuZSjrKFMT-WOOICYI7x7lkwowIB5WP3GrRYijQGu_mjM/s640/blogger-image--2135927114.jpg"></a></div><b>Krisma, Pasang, and John on the tour of the garden. </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPoPyveZjWbcY2curE2meTsxnbFsRxHr653Vz3xkbEt1W_-pjDQvbNDvUPMEPdxlCw_oRQ2jp2xwSm0t3DM6vO_JjX2xNhX5FyURNoGGIP__ludFmw0RuTyTPhujsUywb3QkU-gZeXkpg/s640/blogger-image-1923898536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPoPyveZjWbcY2curE2meTsxnbFsRxHr653Vz3xkbEt1W_-pjDQvbNDvUPMEPdxlCw_oRQ2jp2xwSm0t3DM6vO_JjX2xNhX5FyURNoGGIP__ludFmw0RuTyTPhujsUywb3QkU-gZeXkpg/s640/blogger-image-1923898536.jpg"></a></div>Watering the garden is one of their chores. </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQV8osLY2wZmblC4ebgC9UcdBX4kYMclG0uLYV0lzVAaNeica461DOphGmB8zu0N8zPmYPbCLe8ZE775yl3Q_69T4K8CXcTBhqTBkBHsQI4zIhJw8ZSQ3hwjGuHLdfvFiOKnb5agU6xPA/s640/blogger-image--1631567251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQV8osLY2wZmblC4ebgC9UcdBX4kYMclG0uLYV0lzVAaNeica461DOphGmB8zu0N8zPmYPbCLe8ZE775yl3Q_69T4K8CXcTBhqTBkBHsQI4zIhJw8ZSQ3hwjGuHLdfvFiOKnb5agU6xPA/s640/blogger-image--1631567251.jpg"></a></div>The girls hand wash their own clothes and the older girls help the younger girls. This girls is sweeping the clothes washing area after rinsing her clothes. </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDP-V9ugiIebPUbkxMl_-9_WzzHFQMwxIowRSQToa7C95Y0jh8ext63gOcTYgdONFT7DitCim66UJgA8hAZPZ7YL45haA2CKLRvDXS_UwhguNmMFnnd0FL10eemj8giPH5ZhZmm2nsBSw/s640/blogger-image-11844585.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDP-V9ugiIebPUbkxMl_-9_WzzHFQMwxIowRSQToa7C95Y0jh8ext63gOcTYgdONFT7DitCim66UJgA8hAZPZ7YL45haA2CKLRvDXS_UwhguNmMFnnd0FL10eemj8giPH5ZhZmm2nsBSw/s640/blogger-image-11844585.jpg"></a></div>Krisma and Pasang. It was amazing how knowledgable the girls were of the plants. Their produce ranges from spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, pomegranate, grapes, tomatoes, and much more!</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQPy_V77Zn6vlrKuN7ubms9rcqusp9l1icOXMZ1s0U3GXNR459qxDZBqXNIplyvFRuqbY9hz0y8cfcanrBC-quMf8z0zAcMW8jvlGaBi0iOotKwo0neZctqaMrZb15RO-hkGj0M9msE4/s640/blogger-image-2003428721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQPy_V77Zn6vlrKuN7ubms9rcqusp9l1icOXMZ1s0U3GXNR459qxDZBqXNIplyvFRuqbY9hz0y8cfcanrBC-quMf8z0zAcMW8jvlGaBi0iOotKwo0neZctqaMrZb15RO-hkGj0M9msE4/s640/blogger-image-2003428721.jpg"></a></div>Doing homework after school. A local transformer blew and they didn't have electricity for four days and didn't know when they would get it again. </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9VZ6l3mmLwODhDAtWYHVLpnqzrzKK5ve5Mdvp8XStCv94KvJeW9czRy4dtLoKDwVoclXMM6ixdIxvYtu8Pi8mtN25sncwZmgQZIKIN1s32NdynFumhSl6BKQIxE8r0pcr7b6ugjwj4HQ/s640/blogger-image--404986422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9VZ6l3mmLwODhDAtWYHVLpnqzrzKK5ve5Mdvp8XStCv94KvJeW9czRy4dtLoKDwVoclXMM6ixdIxvYtu8Pi8mtN25sncwZmgQZIKIN1s32NdynFumhSl6BKQIxE8r0pcr7b6ugjwj4HQ/s640/blogger-image--404986422.jpg"></a></div>Mural inside HHH. </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm49W-fHIziopowBdDAEN6TNEtnYTDTXFNO3Sz0eR17CvkKGSXrrMdEapma4JcylFO7Ep4k-NEb0fkIAU_mGcq1nZu2PfqdfQEysigdoxyTd1hAOsZrwB_gtxX5UhQHCiyuwdGT84sevw/s640/blogger-image--246852088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm49W-fHIziopowBdDAEN6TNEtnYTDTXFNO3Sz0eR17CvkKGSXrrMdEapma4JcylFO7Ep4k-NEb0fkIAU_mGcq1nZu2PfqdfQEysigdoxyTd1hAOsZrwB_gtxX5UhQHCiyuwdGT84sevw/s640/blogger-image--246852088.jpg"></a></div>Cooking dinner outside. </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4Z0hDY7-4b3xVATRcAtqe9xi44qoukKbHCpA0Vr2kK_ws79vHLrVzHjUhviqTtJuEyf9f6ttrx7Yik7lJbOMyRq5bCrQSujlVBUedBhvVRrzatwsF-U7Nu9swzHWrRQPsJZt7XL-1JY/s640/blogger-image--1568401564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4Z0hDY7-4b3xVATRcAtqe9xi44qoukKbHCpA0Vr2kK_ws79vHLrVzHjUhviqTtJuEyf9f6ttrx7Yik7lJbOMyRq5bCrQSujlVBUedBhvVRrzatwsF-U7Nu9swzHWrRQPsJZt7XL-1JY/s640/blogger-image--1568401564.jpg"></a></div>Pema and Ronnie! House mom and dog. </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I also discovered another amazing nonprofit today!!! The overpopulation of street dogs is a major problem all over Nepal. Kathmandu has a wonderful nonprofit making a difference! </div></span><a href="http://www.streetdogcare.org/?page_id=321" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">http://www.streetdogcare.org</a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbtmtusnusfu8FKhHSMo67Q4aimvhhYxivPjHS2bxP2Ng21xJ9jPyc-j_YKsjuogObH_4dJBu2MXMnOtZXmLgzgwHsB3R3o-VEkhwPgxitWr8Qf1qBSoxh132P5O3f2CIg5rEuqee1RpM/s640/blogger-image--1496479325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbtmtusnusfu8FKhHSMo67Q4aimvhhYxivPjHS2bxP2Ng21xJ9jPyc-j_YKsjuogObH_4dJBu2MXMnOtZXmLgzgwHsB3R3o-VEkhwPgxitWr8Qf1qBSoxh132P5O3f2CIg5rEuqee1RpM/s640/blogger-image--1496479325.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This nonprofit gives me hope for the widespread suffering of dogs in Kathmandu. </div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07391796852471877399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4887032317474975284.post-56342464385944604262015-12-26T20:55:00.001-08:002015-12-27T21:19:41.565-08:00Pashupatinath (Dec. 26th)<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrmsNhlOD_bkMXLhhwAokbysF4cQtyWUAsDJrp9N8DCmXY4j_CwPqq2szp8aecC9s0cwelnbhhI_c1cEosptYvOZb0N9l0ibtxMiiRk0ECb0ZcvPjqs7RrszlMkkCFUyAxT7u_sZqsCsE/s640/blogger-image--694566898.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrmsNhlOD_bkMXLhhwAokbysF4cQtyWUAsDJrp9N8DCmXY4j_CwPqq2szp8aecC9s0cwelnbhhI_c1cEosptYvOZb0N9l0ibtxMiiRk0ECb0ZcvPjqs7RrszlMkkCFUyAxT7u_sZqsCsE/s640/blogger-image--694566898.jpg"></a></div><b>Tashi, me, John, Lakpa</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div>It was nice to have familiar faces to return to Kathmandu. Tashi and Lakpa have two sets of family staying with them right now. Their cousins, Pasong and Dawa Phutiare are living with them on a longer-term basis because their home was destroyed in the big earthquake in April. In addition to Pasong and Dawa Phutiare their son, Nema, is visiting for a short period of time from Australia. And last but not least, Tashi and Lakpa's son, also Nema, is visiting from the United States. So we were welcomed from many of their loving family! Unfortunately all of them had to leave today for a big trip to India in which they are hoping to meet the Dali Lama in person. They will return in three weeks. </div><div><br></div><div>This morning I got up early with Tashi, Lakpa, Pasong, and Dawa Phutaire to join them in their daily "prayer rituals" at their local stupa, Boudinath. I watched them like a hawk but was sure to give them their space among the hundreds of other worshippers. The "worshipping" at many stupas include walking around the stupa in a clockwise fashion, reciting mantras, and making offerings to Buddha. Today was a special worship for them because they were worshipping for blessings of a safe trip to India. The morning was glorious for me to witness the devotion and commitment of these Buddhists. I was surrounded by cool and crisp air, and there was a "hum" of people walking and reciting their mantras with their prayer beads in hand. I was very thankful to be included in something that was very sacred to them! After they were done praying we took a side walkway to a little stand where they serve freshly baked chipatis (bread disc that is about a 1/4" thick) and milk tea. We put fresh yak butter, chilly sauce, and salt on our warm chipatis. It was yummy in my tummy! Lakpa explained that everyday they come to this stupa to pray, then walk more laps socializing with friends, and then finish the morning off with chipatis and milk tea. It reminded me of going to have coffee and donuts after church on Sundays but they do this everyday! Once again I was very thankful to get an inside view of Tashi and Lakpa's life. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1XRG5XEx4w4-z5MGmjdDzGaJ7khrfrdoHjnKikknBDRMAbmA5_kHckPbiF__UXbZY4GZjYLchse_tbF4UMuZozrXtfJ8xbnN-KwrxokvF4B6ubn0q9XG5AvIwRc0uw2n-ydJEsv0IXKM/s640/blogger-image--1592859505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1XRG5XEx4w4-z5MGmjdDzGaJ7khrfrdoHjnKikknBDRMAbmA5_kHckPbiF__UXbZY4GZjYLchse_tbF4UMuZozrXtfJ8xbnN-KwrxokvF4B6ubn0q9XG5AvIwRc0uw2n-ydJEsv0IXKM/s640/blogger-image--1592859505.jpg"></a></div><b>Feeding the pigeons. </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX5UgAkXqPISj4RJCjATxhWn7n-l__G8PLsQldNPYjdJRUxtVt0A7G9S_EuP5J2av8w89HhW9Nmz6ORvr4qrMSDr_-U8vuM_YBX4XWRp0bqTidaLtGcZBx0wd4-GmWZAJrS6cjdLVUgsQ/s640/blogger-image-864590758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX5UgAkXqPISj4RJCjATxhWn7n-l__G8PLsQldNPYjdJRUxtVt0A7G9S_EuP5J2av8w89HhW9Nmz6ORvr4qrMSDr_-U8vuM_YBX4XWRp0bqTidaLtGcZBx0wd4-GmWZAJrS6cjdLVUgsQ/s640/blogger-image-864590758.jpg"></a></div>They made their offerings in this small temple at Boudinath. </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj70Vxu-52piVAWbeuLTP0boEndWTfPr7f4qypOTAPjdX3WzJblhrVnPq3y2volLiDGUkmcMjMpiHCsdaASxP9hL0f8oJTFGwdD_IVW1Up1NM8Y7sA0Y3I6ki5rA5NDHfI0_g0okFv_Lkg/s640/blogger-image-605595375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj70Vxu-52piVAWbeuLTP0boEndWTfPr7f4qypOTAPjdX3WzJblhrVnPq3y2volLiDGUkmcMjMpiHCsdaASxP9hL0f8oJTFGwdD_IVW1Up1NM8Y7sA0Y3I6ki5rA5NDHfI0_g0okFv_Lkg/s640/blogger-image-605595375.jpg"></a></div>Monks waiting for a Lama. </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgax0I6qgLx11ClOZvqasOHQIZQnIBAwcox9ePCv_nYc88QGT60Vk46aqiRLKV0ov9MfbK5TRFkHdc9HWN5kutnwh-gNBy7FIXVvVFsbq_Em9WfeK7rxh7oU4m2ue2aV1H9hBt_l2Eiysg/s640/blogger-image--1626583525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgax0I6qgLx11ClOZvqasOHQIZQnIBAwcox9ePCv_nYc88QGT60Vk46aqiRLKV0ov9MfbK5TRFkHdc9HWN5kutnwh-gNBy7FIXVvVFsbq_Em9WfeK7rxh7oU4m2ue2aV1H9hBt_l2Eiysg/s640/blogger-image--1626583525.jpg"></a></div>Monks meditating. </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvybnaI178igXfjeFC2l7D1xff5KoZhX0KrtrWyqyL7ccZhvIODaVd-tV9OwZMCLMdfaoISKbGFypau-gh9UGI6xfqNvp5de_PNIIRX21taPMrri9V-2VznfSw7rjIYCqRDSoTz1BcZCY/s640/blogger-image--23908711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvybnaI178igXfjeFC2l7D1xff5KoZhX0KrtrWyqyL7ccZhvIODaVd-tV9OwZMCLMdfaoISKbGFypau-gh9UGI6xfqNvp5de_PNIIRX21taPMrri9V-2VznfSw7rjIYCqRDSoTz1BcZCY/s640/blogger-image--23908711.jpg"></a></div>Chipati and milk tea. </b></div><div><br></div><div>After a wonderful lunch of Dal Bhat which is a staple meal in Nepal consisting of rice, curried vegetables, sometimes meat, fried spinach, and lentil soup, we had to say goodbye to our Nepalese family and properly send them off. In the Sherpa culture, if you go on a trip you have to have your bags packed in advance because close and extended family come to see you off and bring you gifts starting a day or two in advance. The gifts includes anything ranging from soda, wine, tea, cookies, fruit juice and much more. They also bring a white silky scarf and put it around each person's neck for good luck. It was quite the event leading up to their departure because they were saying goodbye to the group going to India and the two Nema sons going back to the U.S. and Australia. John and I just watched and truly got to see how close and supportive Sherpa families can be!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9iPgp0ZBQuQNNro173Ej67XNiCmDfkg74nxgZZYNCsxeU-EVIiqfteBDznU3Vf2zkVcZHImkf9wi8mpRXyilXCQ5LuDV2NnztCLBEV00ICpgvfvA9tONWaFkptsEBShhvM71LWqLWT_s/s640/blogger-image--2049237926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9iPgp0ZBQuQNNro173Ej67XNiCmDfkg74nxgZZYNCsxeU-EVIiqfteBDznU3Vf2zkVcZHImkf9wi8mpRXyilXCQ5LuDV2NnztCLBEV00ICpgvfvA9tONWaFkptsEBShhvM71LWqLWT_s/s640/blogger-image--2049237926.jpg"></a></div><b>Tashi on right and Sherpa cousins on left. </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih7aJnHQ2A7Zm3o4z35oicmxaCXxcAq3vvSXwWZ1EHt192tajklLRtWRUEvHXvdIP9Sc_jBGtt4Utp4AOfv2oTsVTNEnYS8S4JDvSxRXQmmY5CnYxhu8FgYXOybpMJ_227o6eha9-DcmE/s640/blogger-image-998440993.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih7aJnHQ2A7Zm3o4z35oicmxaCXxcAq3vvSXwWZ1EHt192tajklLRtWRUEvHXvdIP9Sc_jBGtt4Utp4AOfv2oTsVTNEnYS8S4JDvSxRXQmmY5CnYxhu8FgYXOybpMJ_227o6eha9-DcmE/s640/blogger-image-998440993.jpg"></a></div>Putting scarves on. </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div>The send off at the bus also had ritual! There was more scarf giving and the offering of Chang (homemade rice wine). Each person put the tip of their finger in the wine and flicked it to the ground three times before putting their finger in their mouth. There were lots of hugs and laughs as we said goodbye to our generous Nepalese family, Lakpa, Tashi, Pasong, and Dawa Phutaire. We were sad to see them go but are already making plans to to see them this summer in Winter Park!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEXdMv0KoyUhugzyARg9-1YkZpqL0mXVyvjo-5nroLJoKJLz5zTvbe3j_ODDjhZuRns1oqMWcO4HiZQXdua2ew9cPx-osFg8FtHwAKDQj3zpUk-vOPaMAu76NUvI9q06k2ykaasYSHIbU/s640/blogger-image-2105684315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEXdMv0KoyUhugzyARg9-1YkZpqL0mXVyvjo-5nroLJoKJLz5zTvbe3j_ODDjhZuRns1oqMWcO4HiZQXdua2ew9cPx-osFg8FtHwAKDQj3zpUk-vOPaMAu76NUvI9q06k2ykaasYSHIbU/s640/blogger-image-2105684315.jpg"></a></div><b>Chang ritual for good luck. </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMySfty1xonQ3UgiVIKSvkvYV4kxpDChVY96k_c0IJyLIO17HBJ41HV_vgqyMhyHE3PhJtcMu6t_iRV9g8_VMZaeEVhSPfWhhn0pI9utzJQu2D5QlireF6t5ZgEw_9gnnGBkcRZjbDYHo/s640/blogger-image-1461497215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMySfty1xonQ3UgiVIKSvkvYV4kxpDChVY96k_c0IJyLIO17HBJ41HV_vgqyMhyHE3PhJtcMu6t_iRV9g8_VMZaeEVhSPfWhhn0pI9utzJQu2D5QlireF6t5ZgEw_9gnnGBkcRZjbDYHo/s640/blogger-image-1461497215.jpg"></a></div>Dawa Phutiare and Pasong. </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq1VTWT0U98kGYsqJ2HEOb67d0nP2ikiTEeIaaDEplZlrOp_jDxmZtM_GpBWKZoIRI2gZXlwkGrPYKJIroCnXKZnq6t9pFrkk829tmn4dRhIkzpvXBym2t5ovpioA9LkJtsv_k3RA33RU/s640/blogger-image--295233635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq1VTWT0U98kGYsqJ2HEOb67d0nP2ikiTEeIaaDEplZlrOp_jDxmZtM_GpBWKZoIRI2gZXlwkGrPYKJIroCnXKZnq6t9pFrkk829tmn4dRhIkzpvXBym2t5ovpioA9LkJtsv_k3RA33RU/s640/blogger-image--295233635.jpg"></a></div>The whole group!</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div>Luckily we were not left alone at their home. Maya is a woman from the Khumbu region that works for Tashi and Lakpa at their lodge near Namche. Because Tashi has been having problems with her back, Maya has come to Kathmandu with them to live and help with cooking and maintaining the house. She does not speak English which is a bummer because we would like talk with her and learn more about her life and history. </div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">While we are here for our last days in Nepal we were planning on visiting and volunteering at the Himalayan Hope Home for girls whose parents have either passed away or are missing. These girls are orphans from the Khumbu region and The Small World (</span><a href="http://thesmallworld.org/our-works/girls-refuge-himalayan-hope-home/" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">http://thesmallworld.org/our-works/girls-refuge-himalayan-hope-home/</a>)<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> is a nonprofit organization that provides a home for these orphaned girls so they can go to school and receive an education which is a ticket for success in Nepal. Human trafficking in Nepal is a problem and often orphaned children are sold as slaves. Today was supposed to be our first day at the home but because of the power outages we were unable to connect with Karma Sherp (main person in charge of the organization) and therefore could not go to the home. In Kathmandu addresses don't work like they do in the United States. You have to have a taxi take you to a common intersection where someone then meets you to take you the rest of the way to your destination. So just going there on our own was not an option. :( I was really bummed because this was the one day of the week the girls did not go to school and we could have spent the rest of the day with them. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div>About mid afternoon and after hand washing some laundry we decided to hit the streets of Kathmandu to see the many sights we hadn't seen yet. We decided to walk to Pashupatinath, an area where Hindus cremate their loved ones after they have passed away. The ritual is completed in public and along the bank of a river where the ashes are released. Bathing in this river is considered to be holy. If you would like to learn more about this very interesting site look it up on the Internet. I will post more pictures of this site on my Facebook page because I don't feel that the pictures are appropriate for my school blog. ;) Friend me on Facebook. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRS-g3tNr5mfBQTWav5KaNlqAfpiEw2Gc8cVty_zjW9KiPpwX_Wm38n6LgMNbU0Op_y6AYYpnqVVYi1J1e8tRBDsAIf0BcZ0kOWnvOgt2ugiOMkU5BJid4meWXA5z_DYwNEZJ8OnePxCw/s640/blogger-image-1538930837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRS-g3tNr5mfBQTWav5KaNlqAfpiEw2Gc8cVty_zjW9KiPpwX_Wm38n6LgMNbU0Op_y6AYYpnqVVYi1J1e8tRBDsAIf0BcZ0kOWnvOgt2ugiOMkU5BJid4meWXA5z_DYwNEZJ8OnePxCw/s640/blogger-image-1538930837.jpg"></a></div><b>Pashupatinath from a distance. </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkj8hL79M11PA7hO-gDcxKrkGRiT_Ff5GgHgCTUuCdCjfZ_Dcb_qyPAQ8j4SHCF2WfEiyKaZv-kAuvd5fmsayX187513eC4G5g0T6HjiIkQuGQD5oICxZUQsGu5-kP85uV_bMjxpbzDo4/s640/blogger-image-1262479148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkj8hL79M11PA7hO-gDcxKrkGRiT_Ff5GgHgCTUuCdCjfZ_Dcb_qyPAQ8j4SHCF2WfEiyKaZv-kAuvd5fmsayX187513eC4G5g0T6HjiIkQuGQD5oICxZUQsGu5-kP85uV_bMjxpbzDo4/s640/blogger-image-1262479148.jpg"></a></div>Another new friend!</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkhkw3cSGGnwW3NQP1AjA04CizySldiNiIXjv_jA3-SQnQZF8bilGSj8IeqdXP3nNNEZC4XM0FphyIopkIzF6OY8InxbSAmmU0gyRF8yzgJhMUnB-YhTKoTy6cnXSCU1Pqgm1tQ4rr77k/s640/blogger-image-1433738681.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkhkw3cSGGnwW3NQP1AjA04CizySldiNiIXjv_jA3-SQnQZF8bilGSj8IeqdXP3nNNEZC4XM0FphyIopkIzF6OY8InxbSAmmU0gyRF8yzgJhMUnB-YhTKoTy6cnXSCU1Pqgm1tQ4rr77k/s640/blogger-image-1433738681.jpg"></a></div>A park near Pashupatinath. </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoaKYYuypF6t-MJZKrQrAXmXylTAuze_9DhhaxSsDhHrmsRAyjnsMGE2_VqKoHlW9x4hOqk1ozMovOh2RZr6waMpI9wxy_uIWubnHTbqgiMPbngLpKQRY5JDAlwHngKORYdjLjTB62tiU/s640/blogger-image-587094440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoaKYYuypF6t-MJZKrQrAXmXylTAuze_9DhhaxSsDhHrmsRAyjnsMGE2_VqKoHlW9x4hOqk1ozMovOh2RZr6waMpI9wxy_uIWubnHTbqgiMPbngLpKQRY5JDAlwHngKORYdjLjTB62tiU/s640/blogger-image-587094440.jpg"></a></div>River above Pashupatinath </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ3HhsalesPE0K-ehx9GKPD_viBP2P2yYfqE__9tTDPzBVhqgTw8p_SXZZIdPMkLxJxqTL_rA7TUJt10jiFBgi8PwXhu7bjwhB2UXhSmgQNHno6Q6VCrhDJUQFxhp6NbTYHa8aYUhPC04/s640/blogger-image--1626145338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ3HhsalesPE0K-ehx9GKPD_viBP2P2yYfqE__9tTDPzBVhqgTw8p_SXZZIdPMkLxJxqTL_rA7TUJt10jiFBgi8PwXhu7bjwhB2UXhSmgQNHno6Q6VCrhDJUQFxhp6NbTYHa8aYUhPC04/s640/blogger-image--1626145338.jpg"></a></div>Hindu shrine above Pashupatinath. </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi384dlFhhTR1BlLPSn6ntolGY6b9xdXfQz9iahGE-jHaLVeKqjPtqxV9lqt16wIYMCs3vbK8p6n2DlK8qnPtQVh4yCQkU-d2L_-pQSBwtmSB-WIkpUkIZg9NTvs0g_TmOVgWZhgw1ji-Q/s640/blogger-image-1819788857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi384dlFhhTR1BlLPSn6ntolGY6b9xdXfQz9iahGE-jHaLVeKqjPtqxV9lqt16wIYMCs3vbK8p6n2DlK8qnPtQVh4yCQkU-d2L_-pQSBwtmSB-WIkpUkIZg9NTvs0g_TmOVgWZhgw1ji-Q/s640/blogger-image-1819788857.jpg"></a></div>Pashupatinath. </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBDCbXVimFThzioUQXgwzMCv8p_mkwGEKaSbA8VeHjUSF8_Kpgaa2_9xneEIrHxFUIHaHy9QWLtaFETgVulWHL8kiUZrDHx-44DqdCx-NyoQ0AcH4nBExS_TQKhfMY6ig67DG1SBm0Zjw/s640/blogger-image--738180664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBDCbXVimFThzioUQXgwzMCv8p_mkwGEKaSbA8VeHjUSF8_Kpgaa2_9xneEIrHxFUIHaHy9QWLtaFETgVulWHL8kiUZrDHx-44DqdCx-NyoQ0AcH4nBExS_TQKhfMY6ig67DG1SBm0Zjw/s640/blogger-image--738180664.jpg"></a></div>Mural at Pashupatinath. </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5xTa8mj15-VgyqhWG0vcL14wwX89vpU8itoOOdLp_kzgsKrHpH5gp6PzHBafLYf-qTfSMPtfXeD4PuXlc1UrOGBttZFXLZsILyRkXLs5aaRJnxtu9Z0-XRAtBWMv7L7jx5tbbBJfy9KE/s640/blogger-image-751260365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5xTa8mj15-VgyqhWG0vcL14wwX89vpU8itoOOdLp_kzgsKrHpH5gp6PzHBafLYf-qTfSMPtfXeD4PuXlc1UrOGBttZFXLZsILyRkXLs5aaRJnxtu9Z0-XRAtBWMv7L7jx5tbbBJfy9KE/s640/blogger-image-751260365.jpg"></a></div>Holy river. Above Pashupatinath. </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div>Around Pashupatinath there are a <a href="http://thesmallworld.org/our-works/girls-refuge-himalayan-hope-home/" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">http://thesmallworld.org/our-works/girls-refuge-himalayan-hope-home/</a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">lot of people, dogs, monkeys, and cows. We strolled around the Pashupatinath area watching the monkeys and dogs. This was the part of the evening that got to me. There is a serious overpopulation of dogs and monkeys in Kathmandu. There is a lot of suffering. The monkeys were very entertaining with their playful nature but it was terribly painful to see how many of them are malnourished and injured. Some of the dogs chase the monkeys and they fight. One baby monkey had an injured back leg and could not get up a wall to safety where his mother was sitting. The whinnying of the babies are terribly sad and this baby was stretching and pawing up the wall. We watched another monkey get beneath him and try to lift him up to his mom but they couldn't reach high enough. It was awful and I left in tears. There were many other monkeys who were injured as well. Very sad. </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd2K1Ts67IzbdEp1jxyl4Rv4lzG0_yg4xxNavskgQtjneqmjsBy6LIn7lCyDTjGKmUSYCAOI3UJpsIws8uJ_PFxSe9jryn0zscy8VcCT3-iHrpLqqr-9vGbBADjfnPVe-2o-u-aRd9qf0/s640/blogger-image--1624999117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd2K1Ts67IzbdEp1jxyl4Rv4lzG0_yg4xxNavskgQtjneqmjsBy6LIn7lCyDTjGKmUSYCAOI3UJpsIws8uJ_PFxSe9jryn0zscy8VcCT3-iHrpLqqr-9vGbBADjfnPVe-2o-u-aRd9qf0/s640/blogger-image--1624999117.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh23XZYIHaFW85BnZf5ozBgbddKaLMx3u4LyPzt394TBE3IXKtGhfn5GCTf4z2ZhjtgGi2HnPWMLZUtSz3wBICcOOrbCtsN8wKuE_EjW-lYkpaoEBX9UvZCLRIXpdNCKXHcYEji-7dgkwM/s640/blogger-image-1353493674.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh23XZYIHaFW85BnZf5ozBgbddKaLMx3u4LyPzt394TBE3IXKtGhfn5GCTf4z2ZhjtgGi2HnPWMLZUtSz3wBICcOOrbCtsN8wKuE_EjW-lYkpaoEBX9UvZCLRIXpdNCKXHcYEji-7dgkwM/s640/blogger-image-1353493674.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYaLtWd1ga7TTlWJPvHta_n8flaj6LiSMpiVr0-x54TCApsul1tfoYoxyqVMtMEzJi6moxscTY_R8ungMNSF2aPHz0RsmyQDBHE0X89qtGVndB7YZitREMy6JgMcAec25iV-li8Tlwpqs/s640/blogger-image-673977118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYaLtWd1ga7TTlWJPvHta_n8flaj6LiSMpiVr0-x54TCApsul1tfoYoxyqVMtMEzJi6moxscTY_R8ungMNSF2aPHz0RsmyQDBHE0X89qtGVndB7YZitREMy6JgMcAec25iV-li8Tlwpqs/s640/blogger-image-673977118.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>We also saw holy men called, Sadhus. They are dreadlocked men who live in small prayer caves near Pashuptinath and hang out around Hindu temples.They live solitary lives, are always on the move, subsisting on alms and owning nothing but what they carry. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ou_RHb8iJ-_8AHfJrqK-ctiGbJxQS1Thl6-23zq5YOjRznxYuvGKFXoaKnVm2seEbMSwDIYFgEM4FbVXKd2VGINfnpiygJxR5TjFzXnfpj6mHpcyXm7IxYTaZIyW7-nDCVjReBnyVHw/s640/blogger-image--1386275019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ou_RHb8iJ-_8AHfJrqK-ctiGbJxQS1Thl6-23zq5YOjRznxYuvGKFXoaKnVm2seEbMSwDIYFgEM4FbVXKd2VGINfnpiygJxR5TjFzXnfpj6mHpcyXm7IxYTaZIyW7-nDCVjReBnyVHw/s640/blogger-image--1386275019.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Sadhus</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv7KUoSOLGaAkJcmFDBwPJBFQVtKG5pa_ZAVOw5RATWnnFVqMpL-O767E0Nz2sL5m3-7NAb-GmTYrlN9wwnrPTQwWj1u12ImpVYHJEvwGOBtrHXBjdVNRfuSO6LLwj6j5Z7X_RIPV4uPI/s640/blogger-image--1090816792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv7KUoSOLGaAkJcmFDBwPJBFQVtKG5pa_ZAVOw5RATWnnFVqMpL-O767E0Nz2sL5m3-7NAb-GmTYrlN9wwnrPTQwWj1u12ImpVYHJEvwGOBtrHXBjdVNRfuSO6LLwj6j5Z7X_RIPV4uPI/s640/blogger-image--1090816792.jpg"></a></div><br></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUDfZv1_gDvfrl6Q4_fOSS8hZdLHgbJJeV1sIl0ox5d5SlEpqa8zpFqQzey4ebJ4QmwCwLIh822RTOxnr3Ha15Fwg6JtqJ1nH8uHuCvsIrLIydvrCcg9Vy4QgdF4jq6_haFgf394p0uU/s640/blogger-image--302679027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUDfZv1_gDvfrl6Q4_fOSS8hZdLHgbJJeV1sIl0ox5d5SlEpqa8zpFqQzey4ebJ4QmwCwLIh822RTOxnr3Ha15Fwg6JtqJ1nH8uHuCvsIrLIydvrCcg9Vy4QgdF4jq6_haFgf394p0uU/s640/blogger-image--302679027.jpg"></a></div>Sadhus cooking in the park. </b></div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07391796852471877399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4887032317474975284.post-66707451649321595662015-12-26T00:58:00.001-08:002015-12-26T21:19:32.414-08:00It's a Nepali Christmas! (Dec. 24 & 25)Merry Christmas!<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj01puc96mQeyK88L4N7CACxeRr3Pmb29TdxAAS-UlXP8-s1bgiPQA5J6s_UahzKgPAoQQnld9fVpjNooJsvFAVc_dLP8gpNJcFOz6ru3f92VBoJiwDXLX01z0m2txtyGTlOMi1JLhrPQ/s640/blogger-image--1816699493.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj01puc96mQeyK88L4N7CACxeRr3Pmb29TdxAAS-UlXP8-s1bgiPQA5J6s_UahzKgPAoQQnld9fVpjNooJsvFAVc_dLP8gpNJcFOz6ru3f92VBoJiwDXLX01z0m2txtyGTlOMi1JLhrPQ/s640/blogger-image--1816699493.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><b>Dec. 24:</b></div><div>Today was another take it easy day! We enjoyed brunch by the gorgeous Fhewa Lake in Pokhara and then strolled around town. It was a magnificent day letting the sun warm our bones that were so deeply chilled on our trek. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjnn5iXkp9fO-67THABMt_fiIGZLx5ZnC_zuD8S08ONZrMzdbNIDOrzAusSryYvDam5EqZ0sF2rcJtMcVwjRim3Dy_zkGSdVL7ZXK9vlz9ZBq-G8d0GIA7K5e2i8SV_5Ry8PY3UFUwow/s640/blogger-image--1908668855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjnn5iXkp9fO-67THABMt_fiIGZLx5ZnC_zuD8S08ONZrMzdbNIDOrzAusSryYvDam5EqZ0sF2rcJtMcVwjRim3Dy_zkGSdVL7ZXK9vlz9ZBq-G8d0GIA7K5e2i8SV_5Ry8PY3UFUwow/s640/blogger-image--1908668855.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Later in the evening we enjoyed our special Christmas dinner with Tomos and Grace at the Moondance restaurant. Many of the nicer restaurants in Pokhara had dinner specials for Christmas. We both ate pumpkin soup, roasted chicken and boar, potatoes, stuffing, and roasted veggies.....aaaaand........ dessert was an apple crumble with either a scoop of vanilla icecream or a custard sauce! Yummy!!!!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZYTmiHWxno5IGULdJ_Qs7OBQThKbmQD4v8CMIJEFVO_SRD-Wg5vyf_OOmQrv7dxrJjEkiExi9fS3gZc2_A7u57pXryiUiP1-Wtt58bS4ZEUhuHJB59VpSpHpfozO8aauLiWafcEQDvw/s640/blogger-image--376079620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZYTmiHWxno5IGULdJ_Qs7OBQThKbmQD4v8CMIJEFVO_SRD-Wg5vyf_OOmQrv7dxrJjEkiExi9fS3gZc2_A7u57pXryiUiP1-Wtt58bS4ZEUhuHJB59VpSpHpfozO8aauLiWafcEQDvw/s640/blogger-image--376079620.jpg"></a></div><b>One of the many Nepalese vehicles. This is a type of tractor!</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8uqTouOCyWkxNobXme6dgMBIC7Koxar4grzlVPxquC5WHtlgLA-yjRC50GTw6LKY7jtM5rbPHI6yebv3krrWeqxoz2I2B90T2vueG0FSRGA4n4W6MxMWAyTZ2j1ZW-2Rjzpz_AFWMt6A/s640/blogger-image--1006846765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8uqTouOCyWkxNobXme6dgMBIC7Koxar4grzlVPxquC5WHtlgLA-yjRC50GTw6LKY7jtM5rbPHI6yebv3krrWeqxoz2I2B90T2vueG0FSRGA4n4W6MxMWAyTZ2j1ZW-2Rjzpz_AFWMt6A/s640/blogger-image--1006846765.jpg"></a></div>A locals' bus. </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xCFh_Ib0J8UtfxFiZwVaO0SuRYwPvWK-Dv7Wy6BwO2ivjqwBmvyipdgZJt_-wbT0C1ozV7dGZR-gXgjjDBXrTcq8BI1UsxrjZApAdpqt8hrPi9OIRhSpqZSRoIWe3hb25XGLjSyn26k/s640/blogger-image--408727387.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xCFh_Ib0J8UtfxFiZwVaO0SuRYwPvWK-Dv7Wy6BwO2ivjqwBmvyipdgZJt_-wbT0C1ozV7dGZR-gXgjjDBXrTcq8BI1UsxrjZApAdpqt8hrPi9OIRhSpqZSRoIWe3hb25XGLjSyn26k/s640/blogger-image--408727387.jpg"></a></div>School bus. </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ24ERt7GQGlO0Hw8Vx-7QAYsQP6hMKhfrwE4mjs2o1EWMHYqznBrWZzkUllX8FvrYVuSvMd3l0i9Lf3HahsI_qakohPyGAN9XgLV6bbaejiAhK4WekFi-UfFENdpngL8b7UMPrviIVdM/s640/blogger-image--1579984498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ24ERt7GQGlO0Hw8Vx-7QAYsQP6hMKhfrwE4mjs2o1EWMHYqznBrWZzkUllX8FvrYVuSvMd3l0i9Lf3HahsI_qakohPyGAN9XgLV6bbaejiAhK4WekFi-UfFENdpngL8b7UMPrviIVdM/s640/blogger-image--1579984498.jpg"></a></div>The main tourist street. </b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmPzSW_oKybzFy7lNi9yGcvT0JRTRXRhLYURQxhi_dKN8CJBS-r6HixDSMfKIqP4kawM3GSlmYYInuBRidoCat22PbNcZMOEotcRhTKkZsfN2nYgxYxkGuXklkjeRRSTvwPdsY92H4Cw/s640/blogger-image-154004405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmPzSW_oKybzFy7lNi9yGcvT0JRTRXRhLYURQxhi_dKN8CJBS-r6HixDSMfKIqP4kawM3GSlmYYInuBRidoCat22PbNcZMOEotcRhTKkZsfN2nYgxYxkGuXklkjeRRSTvwPdsY92H4Cw/s640/blogger-image-154004405.jpg"></a></div><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHHF1KWkhyphenhypheng03BdwpK2LwqTUVkJKYgJPvIU66e1MJJkksTB4deKiGmIf2xyUZp49Zy48wN8bsZBZDAYajD9XFDUHOa7ihUG0SVz5mn1qhzfsoa_pAvfBNkp8XN4qO1OkBR1ydZ-9vpBWU/s640/blogger-image--787179760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHHF1KWkhyphenhypheng03BdwpK2LwqTUVkJKYgJPvIU66e1MJJkksTB4deKiGmIf2xyUZp49Zy48wN8bsZBZDAYajD9XFDUHOa7ihUG0SVz5mn1qhzfsoa_pAvfBNkp8XN4qO1OkBR1ydZ-9vpBWU/s640/blogger-image--787179760.jpg"></a></div>Cooking the wild boar!</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWFK2x4lJaGX2Ev7Jta15t9fbpO-OVbcAJmEQwoUuI8esKkuL0GmBRthgJWzTgeECnOu13xWTW49221t_QnPcF97AlNmxj7AaSIW834dXPHHX6ZEOJPODKn7awAtCfUg7xg-dsaC1TSww/s640/blogger-image-1513822374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWFK2x4lJaGX2Ev7Jta15t9fbpO-OVbcAJmEQwoUuI8esKkuL0GmBRthgJWzTgeECnOu13xWTW49221t_QnPcF97AlNmxj7AaSIW834dXPHHX6ZEOJPODKn7awAtCfUg7xg-dsaC1TSww/s640/blogger-image-1513822374.jpg"></a></div>Christmas dinner!</b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyC_i5QrMVaSzGtqyvC5eCIqyuEyGgzE2Kv3e1yfs8zMZVMZOv56erpCV0eHWxLZsjjUnVjCCBPcjyeV_0SowB0vGqODJL9krbXW7vJi_0gBokEJDe82Qq5ko7P5DizZF6gA4C-PXR9Yo/s640/blogger-image-1475178018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyC_i5QrMVaSzGtqyvC5eCIqyuEyGgzE2Kv3e1yfs8zMZVMZOv56erpCV0eHWxLZsjjUnVjCCBPcjyeV_0SowB0vGqODJL9krbXW7vJi_0gBokEJDe82Qq5ko7P5DizZF6gA4C-PXR9Yo/s640/blogger-image-1475178018.jpg"></a></div><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1r0U1AtVzC0UdYpOLcrXwObas1idypSYbuzbo67Tl2eYdHUbJoPbfzdTpJlrV6GjLp1-4cOWGBV8o1b3wNyxLjV-TqnwXZEF0n-8W91gA1xd6G0Fzgm2Jm3bgwlxMHnmVl0LT2CIn0gY/s640/blogger-image--1497748796.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1r0U1AtVzC0UdYpOLcrXwObas1idypSYbuzbo67Tl2eYdHUbJoPbfzdTpJlrV6GjLp1-4cOWGBV8o1b3wNyxLjV-TqnwXZEF0n-8W91gA1xd6G0Fzgm2Jm3bgwlxMHnmVl0LT2CIn0gY/s640/blogger-image--1497748796.jpg"></a></div>Yummy!</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div>After dinner John and I intended to go to an outdoor theater but because the city's power had been in shortage they cancelled the movie. I was super bummed because this "theater" is tiny and in someone's backyard. They have a little bamboo concession stand to get snacks and refreshments, and blankets to make a nest for watching the movie on the ground. My kind of place!!!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZegMdC3wAmfG0JICYdKIEjqakcWNGi9Nlmtif2FW_w11dZbndEc2TZ-rfxDMYYrhW9jecXfcZooLEPE17GrEvF6eQG43TOq5Csfl2E6DhF5TWy_U5yw6vHf1lBF6pCVvW4-5pwSjZw0/s640/blogger-image-251715702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZegMdC3wAmfG0JICYdKIEjqakcWNGi9Nlmtif2FW_w11dZbndEc2TZ-rfxDMYYrhW9jecXfcZooLEPE17GrEvF6eQG43TOq5Csfl2E6DhF5TWy_U5yw6vHf1lBF6pCVvW4-5pwSjZw0/s640/blogger-image-251715702.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZ5cGRkeAPpMsrYDGe2zmc31QA7anbL3psfO-TpAQjMsbqSKTw4r-YrPLs6UPg8fAEkatT1PA_iu11cyZShn_l5u9pjRYAL2rNEueUG58aCWbAzdxpy__VjWygA7UCd18pUGSvs_6AQo/s640/blogger-image-428603379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZ5cGRkeAPpMsrYDGe2zmc31QA7anbL3psfO-TpAQjMsbqSKTw4r-YrPLs6UPg8fAEkatT1PA_iu11cyZShn_l5u9pjRYAL2rNEueUG58aCWbAzdxpy__VjWygA7UCd18pUGSvs_6AQo/s640/blogger-image-428603379.jpg"></a></div><b>The screen and seating area. </b></div><div><br></div><div>Instead of the movie we resorted to a live music show. Nope, nothing Nepali or cultural. It was a Nepali cover band that played a bunch of awesome classic rock songs and I have to say that they nailed each song! </div><div><br></div><div><b>Dec. 25:</b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3oIYvudUh5fT-iht7l0fbtosT66hh8Ox4ote7z4N-oS004W_tIZy0Dtzc2WAc9utSN6aPxO4p9R7IaGM1RDkHYi8ydW7Zxn7UGqvnmLL7L8fcirqSigmbZ_eMTWwp7Vm6Pc3QuFjo8FQ/s640/blogger-image--1287340238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3oIYvudUh5fT-iht7l0fbtosT66hh8Ox4ote7z4N-oS004W_tIZy0Dtzc2WAc9utSN6aPxO4p9R7IaGM1RDkHYi8ydW7Zxn7UGqvnmLL7L8fcirqSigmbZ_eMTWwp7Vm6Pc3QuFjo8FQ/s640/blogger-image--1287340238.jpg"></a></div>Goodbye Sacred Valley Inn :(</b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirf1sQ-fBOVx8iHXHNyZbLbHx_GbVZrMD361xv4IKhF6EslP8OSqcaa3gq-v1fUAuLovf0fWD3le6dg-cX98OClNIP_V1Z6B0pA2s_v6p-8Tkp53MRyylntJTRqVBucGhCyy04nrfE05k/s640/blogger-image--112770582.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirf1sQ-fBOVx8iHXHNyZbLbHx_GbVZrMD361xv4IKhF6EslP8OSqcaa3gq-v1fUAuLovf0fWD3le6dg-cX98OClNIP_V1Z6B0pA2s_v6p-8Tkp53MRyylntJTRqVBucGhCyy04nrfE05k/s640/blogger-image--112770582.jpg"></a></div><br></b></div><div>Merry Christmas from a bus!!!! Ugh! Ok.....it wasn't as bad as I thought it might be but it was looooong! The trip took 8 hours to go about 120 miles. The roads are very narrow and winding which requires slow driving, which was a plus in my favor, but still a lot of crazy passing on blind corners and such. It wasn't as bad as how the small cars and mini busses whip in and out of traffic but there were still many close calls making me feel like I might wet myself. The ride was not exactly how I envisioned my Christmas Day but at least we got to see the Nepali countryside and we actually made it to Kathmandu safely. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN5fwpH7aQHaNeNy-3kkUry4UrflT5WfYg5uwq1ZHoMhEAvrdc8Fl1pF_4Kq5o8_QHILSFCwY6JyyuZ_fB2Miv94YmpAJX5X9F3Y5ECJEaO8Lne0SwRlguH5BxTrAhjioNjCFbMqqVtac/s640/blogger-image--2046541839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN5fwpH7aQHaNeNy-3kkUry4UrflT5WfYg5uwq1ZHoMhEAvrdc8Fl1pF_4Kq5o8_QHILSFCwY6JyyuZ_fB2Miv94YmpAJX5X9F3Y5ECJEaO8Lne0SwRlguH5BxTrAhjioNjCFbMqqVtac/s640/blogger-image--2046541839.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy0ANxz6dH8xu3yWu6LZmIIJG4o-PE6mkIWQ7G4Gb8jSP4L6MowAt8nrBBq150Wi2DYg8bwmMVfXV8aAKHZeocKtlfs1306gZBWt_wQBjNkbSYT_mWjRpopkjBOol_fyMzu2A3CacpOi8/s640/blogger-image-1038488992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy0ANxz6dH8xu3yWu6LZmIIJG4o-PE6mkIWQ7G4Gb8jSP4L6MowAt8nrBBq150Wi2DYg8bwmMVfXV8aAKHZeocKtlfs1306gZBWt_wQBjNkbSYT_mWjRpopkjBOol_fyMzu2A3CacpOi8/s640/blogger-image-1038488992.jpg"></a></div><b>Assistant d</b><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">river on left. Driver is on the right. In Nepal they drive on the left side of the road. </b></div><div><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></b></div><div>To me, it never seemed like we actually got into the countryside because there is pretty much homes sprinkled all along the hills outside of the city. The living conditions of the people living along the "highway" were pretty tough compared to most "western" standards. Most, if not all of the homes did not have inside facilities for cooking or cleaning dishes and clothes. It appeared that many people shared outdoor faucets for doing laundry and cleaning dishes. What really disappointed me about our scenery was the amount of trash......everywhere. In general there was trash all over in the streets and lawns, but what really bummed me out was the designated areas along river banks where people dumped their trash. Both John and I witnessed the assistant bus driver throw trash out of the window/door twice during our 8 hour journey. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEvOEqWd7RjP8cG0nLZfBh-d_FP9KPgYPKThsywETzofiihj0i-FncfiWCj1lVr_zGeDZEgmikyJBM3WNucEVXE4qIVpVlYq5ZnkWM74h_OwEXDg8I1gYH9MJ2p8VFVfShoeS3qhEdqqs/s640/blogger-image-1897668236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEvOEqWd7RjP8cG0nLZfBh-d_FP9KPgYPKThsywETzofiihj0i-FncfiWCj1lVr_zGeDZEgmikyJBM3WNucEVXE4qIVpVlYq5ZnkWM74h_OwEXDg8I1gYH9MJ2p8VFVfShoeS3qhEdqqs/s640/blogger-image-1897668236.jpg"></a></div><b>On the way we saw lines for petrol that were miles long. India's blockade has been devastating for Nepal. </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div>So I am slowly learning driving "procedures" in Nepal. Each big vehicle seems to have an assistant driver that helps "scout" out passing opportunities on the narrow two lane road. He taps the dashboard when the driver is all clear to go and signals with his other hand outside his window when he needs the vehicle we are passing to slow down for us to get back in the correct lane when oncoming traffic is coming. Our drivers did pretty well with not cutting it close with oncoming traffic but other drivers passing us cut it too close on many occasions which resulted in near collisions and us almost having to stop our bus. Ugh!!! Not fun. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvhATHoz-gqYWzXZsqhPNeVlBWZQpxVaZ0eLv1cwFM-Iv2nkaEOFRksucBnwt9AzDr0c3p8mBIbeAEu9SP4yNtEPXyRvjjE4r8wi_Ost-rrzgpIZkLVQZA-Szqz1xKIi20MKcmk_bhrtU/s640/blogger-image-493101624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvhATHoz-gqYWzXZsqhPNeVlBWZQpxVaZ0eLv1cwFM-Iv2nkaEOFRksucBnwt9AzDr0c3p8mBIbeAEu9SP4yNtEPXyRvjjE4r8wi_Ost-rrzgpIZkLVQZA-Szqz1xKIi20MKcmk_bhrtU/s640/blogger-image-493101624.jpg"></a></div><b>A typical truck called a "Lorry." Many of the trucks have been decorated and are very ornate. This one isn't as fancy. </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4dttH5CEf_9SYtfmIFXWFt6kXHYfqrg8m6xwL4nvkaRI7sNzKEl8r5Q-8UwKyf2YhQacp0OACZ936MOFPLRDhSGYOzO7gpcbfT34XODSn764FXeGJp1Y0IwwsSVh3P9mwbdVeQuoq-7Q/s640/blogger-image-1644701124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4dttH5CEf_9SYtfmIFXWFt6kXHYfqrg8m6xwL4nvkaRI7sNzKEl8r5Q-8UwKyf2YhQacp0OACZ936MOFPLRDhSGYOzO7gpcbfT34XODSn764FXeGJp1Y0IwwsSVh3P9mwbdVeQuoq-7Q/s640/blogger-image-1644701124.jpg"></a></div><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtYSysldRdTuRGpifW3iEXCMjS1j3mEqIScyKBl7hAZvd8QEbzquvKRim3dp7xc_2aA7rm_-krcG4DtF2bCJ9GgVD8rWNvKRXIq1zrEs2At1_GJitFijxO0O0WtIV2M5fAgGlU0TYdjwI/s640/blogger-image-514430351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtYSysldRdTuRGpifW3iEXCMjS1j3mEqIScyKBl7hAZvd8QEbzquvKRim3dp7xc_2aA7rm_-krcG4DtF2bCJ9GgVD8rWNvKRXIq1zrEs2At1_GJitFijxO0O0WtIV2M5fAgGlU0TYdjwI/s640/blogger-image-514430351.jpg"></a></div>Street vendors bombard busses selling snacks when they stop for fuel. </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div>We did make it to Kathmandu safely and we headed to our friend's, Tashi and Lakpa's house (They are the Sherpas who own a lodge in the Everest area and come to Winter Park, Colorado every summer to sell Nepalese jewelry.) Once again we enjoyed excellent food and conversation for the evening!!!! </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO9vBJm4PbAxGd4Kkzexi9LWrwuJ4jVvU5HTi76Fi4g02xohxIZu68jwcWGWe5glHz7lSLmu4fhqkreSZ2oMrjmLfw3Z8434TO_N6eYiPv9UB8nFTN84OQHb5G8IYlkraGwJWL_OOstZQ/s640/blogger-image--168915324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO9vBJm4PbAxGd4Kkzexi9LWrwuJ4jVvU5HTi76Fi4g02xohxIZu68jwcWGWe5glHz7lSLmu4fhqkreSZ2oMrjmLfw3Z8434TO_N6eYiPv9UB8nFTN84OQHb5G8IYlkraGwJWL_OOstZQ/s640/blogger-image--168915324.jpg"></a></div><b>My new friend, "Captain." </b></div><div> </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07391796852471877399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4887032317474975284.post-10401770514913467512015-12-26T00:06:00.001-08:002015-12-26T21:19:21.687-08:00A day of rest!!!!! (Dec. 23)<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Yes......I actually rested for an entire day!!!!! John has the proof on his camera so I couldn't upload the pictures to this blog. To be honest I think my new found allergies in lower elevations had everything to do with me sitting around reading on the rooftop of our hotel. I was taking the dose of allergy medication that was prescribed to me in the small village of Chomrong. Later, I did a little research and yes the medication causes drowsiness and YES I had been taking twice the normal dose! Yikes! </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPE71y6tcm_qdMO2utQQH8N6ixx21eFXMIvFbRC19AIv2Zat2SLPq4PXloISMzfa3KKslCYCrj1R-OcfRqwCNQ1EEVJs6wIpMGB6JvMnQwTd26cVDYYkS2_cFSy8Uz-SMi2hlay9k_8kI/s640/blogger-image-571030181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPE71y6tcm_qdMO2utQQH8N6ixx21eFXMIvFbRC19AIv2Zat2SLPq4PXloISMzfa3KKslCYCrj1R-OcfRqwCNQ1EEVJs6wIpMGB6JvMnQwTd26cVDYYkS2_cFSy8Uz-SMi2hlay9k_8kI/s640/blogger-image-571030181.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Annapurna range view from the rooftop of the Sacred Valley Inn in Pokhara. </b></div><div>We did leave the hotel in the evening to join our lovely friends from Whales that we met on our last trek. We met them early on in the trek and really got to know them when we shared a lodge at Annapurna Basecamp (ABC). It was a very cold night but there was a definite spark of friendship with Tomos and Grace. We stayed up far later than either of us normally would, sharing stories about ourselves and our travels! We had a lot of laughs!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwEAFAVtjK0nqWifhZnN02eOHW8_zeReU_WGLum92TWQTKI2VTa0CoWc7QLG5FlUPvYiYJFqe572Dy-L7BICGs5Pb8EqVtCG0n4RUWN5jRN_6YtactugXd_71S2NFo-brUu3d1LYVwZTo/s640/blogger-image-268309530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwEAFAVtjK0nqWifhZnN02eOHW8_zeReU_WGLum92TWQTKI2VTa0CoWc7QLG5FlUPvYiYJFqe572Dy-L7BICGs5Pb8EqVtCG0n4RUWN5jRN_6YtactugXd_71S2NFo-brUu3d1LYVwZTo/s640/blogger-image-268309530.jpg"></a></div><b>Tomos & Grace at our celebratory dinner in Pokhara. </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div>Our return to Pokhara dinner was joyful and well deserved! Best wishes to Tomos and Grace as they continue their travels to Chitwan, Nepal and then on to their adventure in India!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07391796852471877399noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4887032317474975284.post-28332972963730838282015-12-22T03:57:00.001-08:002015-12-22T04:03:25.979-08:00I am a terrible rider!!!!! (Dec. 22nd)<div>We got up early today to begin out hike to the village of Siwai to catch a jeep ride back down to the city of Pokhara. The hiking was easy today but kind of hard to let go of the high Himalaya. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiNKlMsgvKKBUjJrx5dhbihXqidQ9gOxAs5ka1x5hRsXO28EbwGh-V3GR4BsyjP3uGZWfKq05K_2FhZfb7JcX2IRF3oinq6P4OFVmI9tH3Po4bWVyyOqmRfpTI6PySHgcDBI03qXQJiw8/s640/blogger-image--265017038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiNKlMsgvKKBUjJrx5dhbihXqidQ9gOxAs5ka1x5hRsXO28EbwGh-V3GR4BsyjP3uGZWfKq05K_2FhZfb7JcX2IRF3oinq6P4OFVmI9tH3Po4bWVyyOqmRfpTI6PySHgcDBI03qXQJiw8/s640/blogger-image--265017038.jpg"></a></div><b>My special friend at our Jhinudanda lodge. We are now officially bff's!</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjShYp0_-lKWwtCVezId3MDY8RXLupeH5WWWWxc5t0d3y1dlB9V-Cbah74YJv_pnnSkaNTMqk0UAtXLvp7TYO57e7wFtx8b_eBZneXG3GEfNqE-AJODABnuaVS7TbIbQpRiUfbI2wpBZl0/s640/blogger-image--187706108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjShYp0_-lKWwtCVezId3MDY8RXLupeH5WWWWxc5t0d3y1dlB9V-Cbah74YJv_pnnSkaNTMqk0UAtXLvp7TYO57e7wFtx8b_eBZneXG3GEfNqE-AJODABnuaVS7TbIbQpRiUfbI2wpBZl0/s640/blogger-image--187706108.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Lots of flowers today!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjFrXb24YzpjGvJ06u78uQRQiTkE3MnKmB1kU3jnffSeulB509qOK-fjbTbpcEtqYIdpKaOIM2ee-PtzZnT42IyNXLniotSg6Yh4_JQsIf-3a_6YS3xmRJZWVsJ098szl17dOqb64o1-k/s640/blogger-image-1923271756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjFrXb24YzpjGvJ06u78uQRQiTkE3MnKmB1kU3jnffSeulB509qOK-fjbTbpcEtqYIdpKaOIM2ee-PtzZnT42IyNXLniotSg6Yh4_JQsIf-3a_6YS3xmRJZWVsJ098szl17dOqb64o1-k/s640/blogger-image-1923271756.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWVw-sExqwJVcYclVTKh7C1NGnEITl-W3yVfD44C1SOlJG-SY2JynZed3e_ChhLpeQL7P13aGb0SZUbJBuK_pxP6-UsaoE6mvASq1drn25jHjXMf8idNIFbbBGO0uVsQPQfEHYlgPZsUA/s640/blogger-image-494970524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWVw-sExqwJVcYclVTKh7C1NGnEITl-W3yVfD44C1SOlJG-SY2JynZed3e_ChhLpeQL7P13aGb0SZUbJBuK_pxP6-UsaoE6mvASq1drn25jHjXMf8idNIFbbBGO0uVsQPQfEHYlgPZsUA/s640/blogger-image-494970524.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdFrVa746GDKds44jDhCzIuKGBK3VaashHwKnpcvsvDL2t5CjXcRSZqi_alq_FwtA1Kexy7O98cMq7AF5bxaEnvekTWQ5uUmZ-mYCpj2scQcuYeE3qC-lJwQb9hRrHzRd0P6tpIp4PntQ/s640/blogger-image-301081134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdFrVa746GDKds44jDhCzIuKGBK3VaashHwKnpcvsvDL2t5CjXcRSZqi_alq_FwtA1Kexy7O98cMq7AF5bxaEnvekTWQ5uUmZ-mYCpj2scQcuYeE3qC-lJwQb9hRrHzRd0P6tpIp4PntQ/s640/blogger-image-301081134.jpg"></a></div>I fell in love!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJBRLvm3huu-RsqVSfaUBw1PU5Sg5sP5dvS2IOe0Ee2Ynu7qucwmXEaNbUTixUpqveNltJ36OT7Gu36mwY7sSrjBuPm43nVOujkxcr1C-JZV1eN-J8Ix3CkmLkW8MIZ3UdYIivTaGJXLU/s640/blogger-image--686122680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJBRLvm3huu-RsqVSfaUBw1PU5Sg5sP5dvS2IOe0Ee2Ynu7qucwmXEaNbUTixUpqveNltJ36OT7Gu36mwY7sSrjBuPm43nVOujkxcr1C-JZV1eN-J8Ix3CkmLkW8MIZ3UdYIivTaGJXLU/s640/blogger-image--686122680.jpg"></a></div>Bye bye high Himalaya. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO7egUFC4nwonU3Raq6tsL5vghBbEb29yXgLvhhzanT3S9SbTlu_b-XIOWVIlgiIFrx4aPw_oZjK2gE25J60bOE1tT_xArbUeB8hv2EjygLbUcqHg8sa0gmhqBLtBA4u2yQ_KtWlAos40/s640/blogger-image--479146583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO7egUFC4nwonU3Raq6tsL5vghBbEb29yXgLvhhzanT3S9SbTlu_b-XIOWVIlgiIFrx4aPw_oZjK2gE25J60bOE1tT_xArbUeB8hv2EjygLbUcqHg8sa0gmhqBLtBA4u2yQ_KtWlAos40/s640/blogger-image--479146583.jpg"></a></div>And then I fell in love again with this baby goat. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></b></div>It has been official for a very long time.....I have control issues when riding in vehicles.....especially when riding in a developing country. As I have shared in earlier posts, it doesn't seem like there are set rules for driving here in Nepal. The only semi rule I can see is that if you are driving a bigger vehicle you have the right of way and if you are smaller (pedestrians included) you better get out of the bigger vehicle's way! The roads do not have lines designating the sides or the center of the road....in fact the road we were on today was barely big enough for one lane! The roads have deteriorated from the sides from all the harsh weather, earthquakes and lack of (or I should say no maintentnce) maintenance. People just walk on the sides right next to cars, motor bikes, and busses racing by. Honking is not an expression of anger here in Nepal bu<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">t rather a way of saying, "I'm coming through and you better get the heck out of my way or you will be flattened!" It doesn't matter if you are a woman with a child on your back...the larger vehicles have the right of way. Passing is where I lose my marbles! It's kind of like rolling the dice because they honk and then pass, even on blind corners! Seriously I thought I was going to soil myself multiple times today. The driving is truly an ugly part of Nepal. Regardless we miraculously made it back to Pokhara in one piece! </span><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxvPXhkLFdEe6oZ_C_4cnNczQXra264h2zULqWKlO3o6gF6mpnIqf5x6GOi1_mYAQqezhXhKLtU7hgV8mlSeqJVYvD6tXS6y5dOiK7bbTmLNkOmGjNUCS0rCy7e52alehQdg5i8YIbJY/s640/blogger-image--1006845907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxvPXhkLFdEe6oZ_C_4cnNczQXra264h2zULqWKlO3o6gF6mpnIqf5x6GOi1_mYAQqezhXhKLtU7hgV8mlSeqJVYvD6tXS6y5dOiK7bbTmLNkOmGjNUCS0rCy7e52alehQdg5i8YIbJY/s640/blogger-image--1006845907.jpg"></a></div><b>Because India is blockading the Nepali border it has created a major fuel crisis and people in the cityare having to burn precious wood. </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><b><br></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2kXz45ddyNTiaRfTT0oCYrjUaasDDYwH8ZRmOhu93Y7ppsEmriRcmBGdtqot8mSPOQxPfqg7eKb_oH3Pelb72DqURGpk2VRtiydUEms0NJWEgDHkat5j2O8QNDB3BUIyRrRRzfSI5LE/s640/blogger-image--611202231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2kXz45ddyNTiaRfTT0oCYrjUaasDDYwH8ZRmOhu93Y7ppsEmriRcmBGdtqot8mSPOQxPfqg7eKb_oH3Pelb72DqURGpk2VRtiydUEms0NJWEgDHkat5j2O8QNDB3BUIyRrRRzfSI5LE/s640/blogger-image--611202231.jpg"></a></div><br></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAtePXCvUorgIboElMXrNvUIsRMkNRVOryMisi2dy2sTNEALfRzVKbCjnKtCoNKM2WRFo4CZslN1-htlC6JWqvkQYO3oUMJfum69B2s52GJbPeaNbtBJM2a5OXnSzIjb_XspTZwMw7lc/s640/blogger-image--603875212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAtePXCvUorgIboElMXrNvUIsRMkNRVOryMisi2dy2sTNEALfRzVKbCjnKtCoNKM2WRFo4CZslN1-htlC6JWqvkQYO3oUMJfum69B2s52GJbPeaNbtBJM2a5OXnSzIjb_XspTZwMw7lc/s640/blogger-image--603875212.jpg"></a></div><br></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBUB_dTeea4cSvDyOqWNA6wTLqxhQq8sJ_OR2QqPe19esjJP28PqrouC56l17hPmkmExw9L05p_hyphenhyphenX0nKJ7ZQ5MesslPCwDI009p6U7IAgaRDPyM2Azadg70N_pW3Dl_FaI0XcIfLAEY/s640/blogger-image--149659998.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBUB_dTeea4cSvDyOqWNA6wTLqxhQq8sJ_OR2QqPe19esjJP28PqrouC56l17hPmkmExw9L05p_hyphenhyphenX0nKJ7ZQ5MesslPCwDI009p6U7IAgaRDPyM2Azadg70N_pW3Dl_FaI0XcIfLAEY/s640/blogger-image--149659998.jpg"></a></div><br></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Now......let's see how we get back to Kathmandu. I really want to fly (25 minute flight) and John wants to take a bus (7 hours) so we can see more countryside. Ugh.....not only do I have control issues while riding but I also get motion sick. We flew here to Pokhara so we will probably ride a bus back to make it fair. Who knows maybe I will enjoy it?!?!</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07391796852471877399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4887032317474975284.post-29625495374279193222015-12-22T02:20:00.001-08:002015-12-22T02:20:53.266-08:00Ice cold beauty! (Dec. 20)You would think we learned from yesterday but nope we did it again! <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh40Ms1dOEx_t0pIGHIJ1r6Lkf74V4MTL2lgxJLewSn1AE32nZQDvKN4u0AlNWctR4QE4XPE6V7Q99_yPK2t-py7lIpSWMX658pns9zmCoeo6uqkNStTPBcikAcT977LeQN6afIt4s4gTw/s640/blogger-image--1848434736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh40Ms1dOEx_t0pIGHIJ1r6Lkf74V4MTL2lgxJLewSn1AE32nZQDvKN4u0AlNWctR4QE4XPE6V7Q99_yPK2t-py7lIpSWMX658pns9zmCoeo6uqkNStTPBcikAcT977LeQN6afIt4s4gTw/s640/blogger-image--1848434736.jpg"></a></div><b>South Annapurna</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiog8Led4oumfvWgEtcsB1YbT7KRjIhHI-b7X1nBKQ3RBH0KhQ3h2ypAoTqun-0K_uYCIjlY_ufV0rp0kjaaCRXHyW_E6Ik74qAVwxn_WoY59m28xzk1szrvr9rWqSXgK8W5RZx5R8TQw/s640/blogger-image--863893665.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiog8Led4oumfvWgEtcsB1YbT7KRjIhHI-b7X1nBKQ3RBH0KhQ3h2ypAoTqun-0K_uYCIjlY_ufV0rp0kjaaCRXHyW_E6Ik74qAVwxn_WoY59m28xzk1szrvr9rWqSXgK8W5RZx5R8TQw/s640/blogger-image--863893665.jpg"></a></div>Annapurna 1</b></div><div><br></div><div>This time it was almost like we could smell the sunrise we were so close! Cold, cold, cold but oh so beautiful!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQAtQzwBSHHvt_Qtvi89df_pAhlRg2bNZXuliZoi-I9dXAc2BvmPPXxsp7sCjIqLOPsXtwrJ4SSKIq_ArUBP0DcrMP-PJOBF9M41zqSm77mcpxyBxGetURzImtHVC7kYZnMs4pqvET76Q/s640/blogger-image-396874750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQAtQzwBSHHvt_Qtvi89df_pAhlRg2bNZXuliZoi-I9dXAc2BvmPPXxsp7sCjIqLOPsXtwrJ4SSKIq_ArUBP0DcrMP-PJOBF9M41zqSm77mcpxyBxGetURzImtHVC7kYZnMs4pqvET76Q/s640/blogger-image-396874750.jpg"></a></div><b>Annapurna 1 with the glacial moraine </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div>It took us extra long to say goodbye to this cirque of "goddesses" before we started our long and multi day descent. While saying our goodbyes an huge Avalanche released on Annapurna South. The sound rumbled so loud that you could feel it inside your body. It's amazing the amount of force that is generated from gigantic pieces of ice and snow falling! Just the cloud of snow was bigger than anything I've ever seen release! What a send off the mountains were giving us! </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOaLINI8dAcF-EnSl6uVgNGztWG9aBNqBgsOpeKJeLOlm_WRDmsOo-m05_NK71cDIPjqOIwu-9MoxoCb_qSmk6EVkngAMsHBTscriydqdkrPj5UBWxygFoS8pwIg3SZMfMnYatlO-biU/s640/blogger-image--1525294611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOaLINI8dAcF-EnSl6uVgNGztWG9aBNqBgsOpeKJeLOlm_WRDmsOo-m05_NK71cDIPjqOIwu-9MoxoCb_qSmk6EVkngAMsHBTscriydqdkrPj5UBWxygFoS8pwIg3SZMfMnYatlO-biU/s640/blogger-image--1525294611.jpg"></a></div><b>Climber's memorial with Annapurna in the backdrop. </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1p6HL9BY_iw-c3clC9gKS1vAbLQysUqXGOBJpXmackhUWnTLCJecQxDT08waObG41pnQSgfoNU8gem1rwz7VNqQ7DiWEUWXJu18Kdt12NoNx57BwPGC-CwSLhL5HE9jQlCCy5_kJ7OXU/s640/blogger-image-517009909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1p6HL9BY_iw-c3clC9gKS1vAbLQysUqXGOBJpXmackhUWnTLCJecQxDT08waObG41pnQSgfoNU8gem1rwz7VNqQ7DiWEUWXJu18Kdt12NoNx57BwPGC-CwSLhL5HE9jQlCCy5_kJ7OXU/s640/blogger-image-517009909.jpg"></a></div>The Sanctuary</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div>We started our descent around 10:30 am and the clouds were already starting to roll into the valley from below. We actually walked down into the clouds and walked in the clouds for the rest of the day. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgemDppP0U74VXFID04uxoNAo8oyWpHyUjF1ru13BNT-hHXu8KwM0DWGIfCpG8a_EVono69YAj3LLtFIVDWf4PtCz5j7qWGVfnFFlZgMpxVPz8y_UCZKDv7vmta1Ofuj0IcEm5U7EBpXZo/s640/blogger-image--343930353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgemDppP0U74VXFID04uxoNAo8oyWpHyUjF1ru13BNT-hHXu8KwM0DWGIfCpG8a_EVono69YAj3LLtFIVDWf4PtCz5j7qWGVfnFFlZgMpxVPz8y_UCZKDv7vmta1Ofuj0IcEm5U7EBpXZo/s640/blogger-image--343930353.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>We were sad to leave the awesomeness of the great glaciated peaks but were gracefully welcomed by the forest and I continued my quest for finding trolls! </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWTV6mck2T1noIn8UaWwJnMFjPxcn63NJnLs0pC5ALUdyHVR_T0xB1o7boxkJtYAZzJVKvaB-u-yEyZBBiuFSh7vBOjfMI24Ijim5iiAEXG6184tzjvwcdGZeDAu5XBV3j6pWY_6cChbY/s640/blogger-image--49639318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWTV6mck2T1noIn8UaWwJnMFjPxcn63NJnLs0pC5ALUdyHVR_T0xB1o7boxkJtYAZzJVKvaB-u-yEyZBBiuFSh7vBOjfMI24Ijim5iiAEXG6184tzjvwcdGZeDAu5XBV3j6pWY_6cChbY/s640/blogger-image--49639318.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>The vegetation bombarded our senses with brilliant colors and organic smells! (Yes, some of you may think the smells came from me and the food I've been eating but no I am referring to "earth smells" this time! Haha!) </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNJ5TFrxFOfMWQT1RA-_HXrVoYX2lNIyTJjnMBcbKYq6mM-kRoIJyIqwEZcj5FLqR_5V1Z9zbInUeAHHTiFAGZSXaqkaVDPS9sxPw2uNCCaZ0uSOrztffV4VLuRY0IL5Gy9OGCVrLwY5U/s640/blogger-image--2025395026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNJ5TFrxFOfMWQT1RA-_HXrVoYX2lNIyTJjnMBcbKYq6mM-kRoIJyIqwEZcj5FLqR_5V1Z9zbInUeAHHTiFAGZSXaqkaVDPS9sxPw2uNCCaZ0uSOrztffV4VLuRY0IL5Gy9OGCVrLwY5U/s640/blogger-image--2025395026.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>We even ventured off the trail and found a magical canyon providing drainage for the sanctuary!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ_c80L6PoQfgPjSNPKQlGzRTdRLIejQVswoUackKL4tXG_YMz9KNVfcWVSc_za_YjcIwAUUg1z1vzsm68nc0ALY89jts_lpbl9L3YQZjNT8bAdvFawmjCUGDKJ4nealTKARuDFndq6ZU/s640/blogger-image-2125455945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ_c80L6PoQfgPjSNPKQlGzRTdRLIejQVswoUackKL4tXG_YMz9KNVfcWVSc_za_YjcIwAUUg1z1vzsm68nc0ALY89jts_lpbl9L3YQZjNT8bAdvFawmjCUGDKJ4nealTKARuDFndq6ZU/s640/blogger-image-2125455945.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0DB49Mfz2F5vtueo5euO01_ti1qONHISAPezgWiOkwlpcFVHFRpD0ne8HqRrVnKA_MUN6MH9cCdwCSiGySF4m-z7KBx3PH-rL15x8LiUQ17KYdrnUQQly-NPUSQXa9VhgLzpG13UQZic/s640/blogger-image--629896910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0DB49Mfz2F5vtueo5euO01_ti1qONHISAPezgWiOkwlpcFVHFRpD0ne8HqRrVnKA_MUN6MH9cCdwCSiGySF4m-z7KBx3PH-rL15x8LiUQ17KYdrnUQQly-NPUSQXa9VhgLzpG13UQZic/s640/blogger-image--629896910.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07391796852471877399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4887032317474975284.post-61299463812690972462015-12-22T01:40:00.001-08:002015-12-22T03:21:05.960-08:00Chasing Fall.....(Dec. 21st)Last night it was raining when we went to bed; this morning it was "raining" leaves through the beautiful sun rays! I felt like we were racing fall down the mountain toward the places where summer still exists. It was a crisp and glorious morning.....reminded me of the golden fall that just left Colorado last month!<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPkiwK-6SjyZddYpTUN3WoHvtGkuRJBCu8b7eUpBL4udZ4MiGyK1DcjHWdydca33-I3KxdWF6tSsj3-753M8K-JNOLp3n9WtioDfIQa2zLSYeTNlAF6vKIYk53m7Bo9rlPdSUSu7l9kuk/s640/blogger-image--1018241118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPkiwK-6SjyZddYpTUN3WoHvtGkuRJBCu8b7eUpBL4udZ4MiGyK1DcjHWdydca33-I3KxdWF6tSsj3-753M8K-JNOLp3n9WtioDfIQa2zLSYeTNlAF6vKIYk53m7Bo9rlPdSUSu7l9kuk/s640/blogger-image--1018241118.jpg"></a></div><b>Machhapuchchhre getting farther away. </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="font-weight: bold; clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXeu0Y4Mbw-gMZ7ECk7gS9z_bZA31LJMMeGboxKRvshA4skwmPsYKxN53lvTmt-NDqUtWsTjDonKpT03FSTti3y1AzBAviJIlRDysewfvCP69eZi-K_9ZHIBRu8IHmiUMM8eIK8OaRnw4/s640/blogger-image--460989468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXeu0Y4Mbw-gMZ7ECk7gS9z_bZA31LJMMeGboxKRvshA4skwmPsYKxN53lvTmt-NDqUtWsTjDonKpT03FSTti3y1AzBAviJIlRDysewfvCP69eZi-K_9ZHIBRu8IHmiUMM8eIK8OaRnw4/s640/blogger-image--460989468.jpg"></a></div><b>My Nepali mama, Purna. On the way into the sanctuary we stayed an extra day at her lodge in the village of Bamboo because I had a chest cold. Purna took extra good care of me!</b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgew3-Sw_0quJDWy2D5hDcpSnVhU1rIroBaBAHTygsy8l7ry9fNObB3LNPcy0vaXxGDtoKb7ncKIF-mKWxU_84gXLqGkQufXG3m-8XiRalbQY_p9b7g3wxkB0s7c0Xe9YxCZ5HGJVckq3s/s640/blogger-image--1234277801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgew3-Sw_0quJDWy2D5hDcpSnVhU1rIroBaBAHTygsy8l7ry9fNObB3LNPcy0vaXxGDtoKb7ncKIF-mKWxU_84gXLqGkQufXG3m-8XiRalbQY_p9b7g3wxkB0s7c0Xe9YxCZ5HGJVckq3s/s640/blogger-image--1234277801.jpg"></a></div>Purna's lodge </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ3UNKFUrvcL4EBT32QGbmYnUTN6rjgHBQY8d39ZaRAGBbe34EczCA6Wd_Ahtbdnkw80n3eFT9vpq9ECBWOK1PyEhu3ajhpl3kzRHDlR4Zn3aqWyKXiEd1F8ZvoFOVnoa2gcJuGIC1I_o/s640/blogger-image--913674147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ3UNKFUrvcL4EBT32QGbmYnUTN6rjgHBQY8d39ZaRAGBbe34EczCA6Wd_Ahtbdnkw80n3eFT9vpq9ECBWOK1PyEhu3ajhpl3kzRHDlR4Zn3aqWyKXiEd1F8ZvoFOVnoa2gcJuGIC1I_o/s640/blogger-image--913674147.jpg"></a></div>The Nepalis are master gardeners! I am not sure what kind of crop this is. </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzcdA4G59-Jp2VC13YzbrmvcU4WZ8XXlCUK0xkb72Ec8t7DMPdUIJ8qerwc3rp9gV7vaD2fPcST2AW0z25C_IN3upud_jlypxXykjLTvV1DFZXBH6IpDTLLt_Puob4MCwQ6c0F9LnPhqQ/s640/blogger-image--30671138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzcdA4G59-Jp2VC13YzbrmvcU4WZ8XXlCUK0xkb72Ec8t7DMPdUIJ8qerwc3rp9gV7vaD2fPcST2AW0z25C_IN3upud_jlypxXykjLTvV1DFZXBH6IpDTLLt_Puob4MCwQ6c0F9LnPhqQ/s640/blogger-image--30671138.jpg"></a></div>All along the trail you see the drying of spices and crops every where. </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheDbscrrQKtXZpOgrXs6BqqpbbCOuMr-U55V0Uf-8KY79BEBjNQU3fb8wjD1_ZQdabxqVlRC5tbTLH1ClIOi8kSH8wViLSWfhwxWSeARqByj-7sUd8015qA-fi54KuzwoJyTK78zZik_Q/s640/blogger-image--980920192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheDbscrrQKtXZpOgrXs6BqqpbbCOuMr-U55V0Uf-8KY79BEBjNQU3fb8wjD1_ZQdabxqVlRC5tbTLH1ClIOi8kSH8wViLSWfhwxWSeARqByj-7sUd8015qA-fi54KuzwoJyTK78zZik_Q/s640/blogger-image--980920192.jpg"></a></div>This is the stairway leading to the Chomromg Cottage Lodge. </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7VfnH96NQifFO6LLofharM0ubd37mKYv165VpoK-CM45bCt-IF-n0BZgHf73FJKWkqfC8aVbkQl2USYhE9_8uphEgWHX3O6G11qI0rKxSvSczGCjo5WSqqlRw_mn6yC0vsSsxScV9taM/s640/blogger-image-1391602239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7VfnH96NQifFO6LLofharM0ubd37mKYv165VpoK-CM45bCt-IF-n0BZgHf73FJKWkqfC8aVbkQl2USYhE9_8uphEgWHX3O6G11qI0rKxSvSczGCjo5WSqqlRw_mn6yC0vsSsxScV9taM/s640/blogger-image-1391602239.jpg"></a></div>A typical home in Chomrong. </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDIfkUKvMf9oXAXTECwKzuF1Uxkq1NGgm9uqFhyhaa4EtAiCOh-2n0-1MKWrn8SWisj-jxV2Ck_ea5WiLioDvWIapEtW6O7JLl_Uu1ElzFNxZ03aQ6ZWARAbL9jL0nt1VjZN7VkPR0vSM/s640/blogger-image-1243085427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDIfkUKvMf9oXAXTECwKzuF1Uxkq1NGgm9uqFhyhaa4EtAiCOh-2n0-1MKWrn8SWisj-jxV2Ck_ea5WiLioDvWIapEtW6O7JLl_Uu1ElzFNxZ03aQ6ZWARAbL9jL0nt1VjZN7VkPR0vSM/s640/blogger-image-1243085427.jpg"></a></div>This is what we climbed for hours!!!</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div>The highlight of my day was a piece of the most amazing chocolate cake! Our plan was to eat lunch in Chomromg which took an enormous climb up another bazillion stairs but my thirst for the warm and moist brownie-like cake propelled my glutes and quads into superhuman mode! I'm sure there is drool still frozen on the steps leading to the Chomromg Cottage Lodge! As the sweat was pouring out of my pores I rounded the corner into the patio of the lodge.....my legs were shaking and my body was unsteady....there were customers inside eating and watching me when the only words that could come out of my mouth were, "do you have chocolate cake?" Seriously....couldn't have been more rude? And let me tell you I looked like a piece of work. The patrons inside immediately started to laugh because they knew exactly how I felt because they too had sought out this well known cake in the bowels of the Annapurna Sanctuary! In fact, this lodge was noted in Time magazine for having the best chocolate cake in Asia! After o<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">ur lunch we both enjoyed a piece of cake and the conversation reduced to groans of tastebud pleasure in between bites. It was all I could do to not lick my freaking plate to get the last bit of warm chocolate sauce they poured over the piece of cake. I could've eaten many more slices!</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHqk8Jx6OZ6bREbMkIB5kDQgdhMHKrXVtD84ON5I8sOvQllo1_xxzOH5cgySYzlXSq4hgc_PYCH-9Zxw7UtdJdcNSboi93FAoWBPRM36JUJg9cZiy2dqwB_4Zgsm9YQNM8i8Vha_DxJA/s640/blogger-image-1885188207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHqk8Jx6OZ6bREbMkIB5kDQgdhMHKrXVtD84ON5I8sOvQllo1_xxzOH5cgySYzlXSq4hgc_PYCH-9Zxw7UtdJdcNSboi93FAoWBPRM36JUJg9cZiy2dqwB_4Zgsm9YQNM8i8Vha_DxJA/s640/blogger-image-1885188207.jpg"></a></div><b>Seriously!!!!!</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirwM05mZTYs010KvGdVXzZZlgxfTrxZTRCIebiDIcwod9c9TKHL9l14zB7ek1zkk73_YGER3dqaEnZgS3fixohmY4ryqHZWIOr5RWLgClioTAtbob_HKL6RhyrArzH5wo8Lk_OpqmaQCA/s640/blogger-image-2115920794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirwM05mZTYs010KvGdVXzZZlgxfTrxZTRCIebiDIcwod9c9TKHL9l14zB7ek1zkk73_YGER3dqaEnZgS3fixohmY4ryqHZWIOr5RWLgClioTAtbob_HKL6RhyrArzH5wo8Lk_OpqmaQCA/s640/blogger-image-2115920794.jpg"></a></div>Do not get in between me and my slice!</b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9mZo7RSMtHiJT1kF1WBvpRfFElZXy39y68eXB-Y6FlbvI228zQmgZftnFH0xvYtpL9aeufM5W8iB7vQlE-8CCgbh4jzCc1MbfG2K9SfaN6rqutfHJBWN-3PThkxEDKu6Ifl_Ls8agCvA/s640/blogger-image-502511782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9mZo7RSMtHiJT1kF1WBvpRfFElZXy39y68eXB-Y6FlbvI228zQmgZftnFH0xvYtpL9aeufM5W8iB7vQlE-8CCgbh4jzCc1MbfG2K9SfaN6rqutfHJBWN-3PThkxEDKu6Ifl_Ls8agCvA/s640/blogger-image-502511782.jpg"></a></div>Here is the article that brings so many travelers to this lodge. </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1UWyUcM3BbTRrpYQrUMPfKv7Qz3eKlhkGgXhyphenhyphen9fmlcwMVQBgm1-49CdNRtx_8EQ94OeRC0NR1zPHhQkpYMijWLVkeGtpzi651iAGfv1PKTVi40ePkL5kbVPy4VuE2tnloq93vKxyxJXI/s640/blogger-image--495662491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1UWyUcM3BbTRrpYQrUMPfKv7Qz3eKlhkGgXhyphenhyphen9fmlcwMVQBgm1-49CdNRtx_8EQ94OeRC0NR1zPHhQkpYMijWLVkeGtpzi651iAGfv1PKTVi40ePkL5kbVPy4VuE2tnloq93vKxyxJXI/s640/blogger-image--495662491.jpg"></a></div>Do you think OSHA would approve these stairs?</b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkAob1CjU9x439fe4zp8IEiePkPh46mTylqvypseGW4945H5f0ujsGgxzbYF_Xqi6rd42DeXB_OuOOXipvgPUoFUx8anJ3wel5rW9xFW7QEhoAkxPT5JnES_kqNoPkDAQDdtW8CDxfztQ/s640/blogger-image--1815231894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkAob1CjU9x439fe4zp8IEiePkPh46mTylqvypseGW4945H5f0ujsGgxzbYF_Xqi6rd42DeXB_OuOOXipvgPUoFUx8anJ3wel5rW9xFW7QEhoAkxPT5JnES_kqNoPkDAQDdtW8CDxfztQ/s640/blogger-image--1815231894.jpg"></a></div><br></b></div><div>We pushed on from Chomrong to the village of Jhinudanda, the same village we stayed at on our way to the sanctuary. We quickly dropped our packs off in our room and walked 20 minutes down the mountain to the Modi Khola river where there were natural hot springs right next to the river. It was getting dark as we approached the river and the moon was beginning to shine through the clouds. I do believe that these hot springs are now my most favorite natural hot springs. They are right next to a raging ice blue glacial river and they do not smell like an enormous fart (and we all know that we have enough of that with the Keller colon on international food)! It was a magical evening with the moonrise and hot steam rising from the water. With our bodies fully relaxed and our minds at peace we walked back up the single-track trail to our lodge for a great night of sleep. Ahhhh....the hot soak was exactly what we needed after many days in the very cold high Himalayas!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2xj1P48qL0BAAW2ZDcdeArcSM3mB2YqWb8xEcXF2B-W16Nq6vLwTzxqjfYCMGaAcb820njJR6NrnDAW0vnb5Ku3LmV_fSowEHn3ygA4Kk4igbApru-RTIwfg9e5m3CTMhIySp8p_M3E/s640/blogger-image--468565050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2xj1P48qL0BAAW2ZDcdeArcSM3mB2YqWb8xEcXF2B-W16Nq6vLwTzxqjfYCMGaAcb820njJR6NrnDAW0vnb5Ku3LmV_fSowEHn3ygA4Kk4igbApru-RTIwfg9e5m3CTMhIySp8p_M3E/s640/blogger-image--468565050.jpg"></a></div><b>I couldn't get any pictures of the hot springs because my camera would only focus on the rising steam in the dark but here is a picture of the Modi Khola river right next to the hot springs. </b></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07391796852471877399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4887032317474975284.post-53447826687202485352015-12-20T19:44:00.001-08:002015-12-20T19:44:49.977-08:00The infamous ABC Sanctuary! (Dec. 19)<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpFW6BWQArmvbCDA1L8KRS3zUXjbN9V3bVEThc3bC094m8E0-tHDufnM2GxaQ_v-JWL0qkZxDSdEILTQTXNHy7ophi_8j3maaVRlrvSPAxDpG_vI1DRlTmhcysX1PqWoV59WUk7RWQBWw/s640/blogger-image-156485524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpFW6BWQArmvbCDA1L8KRS3zUXjbN9V3bVEThc3bC094m8E0-tHDufnM2GxaQ_v-JWL0qkZxDSdEILTQTXNHy7ophi_8j3maaVRlrvSPAxDpG_vI1DRlTmhcysX1PqWoV59WUk7RWQBWw/s640/blogger-image-156485524.jpg"></a></div></div>Annapurna South sunrise from MBC</div></div><div><br></div>It was a bone chilling night at MBC (Machhapuchhre Basecamp) and just as cold when we watched the sunrise this morning! Ouch my fingers and toes were frozen f<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">rom snapping pictures of the world awakening at 6:15 am. We watched for the sun to kiss the peaks in the Annapurna Sanctuary above and to the west of us! It was like watching an artist slowly paint the peaks pink! Mother Nature is incredible and never ceases to amaze me!</span><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The sunrise above the Annapurna Basecamp (13,500') only beckoned us forward to sit inside the nest of peaks! So we packed up and walked up the additional 1400' to the great ABC and her "Goddesses" of South Annapurna, Annapurna 1, Hiunchuli, and Tent Peak.......and Machhapuchchhre across the valley! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxIiKRMZ88U0m4351QPaomvk2dNkJ_ODxUfo1ZmavEND-MJ6ZWy2WeLoBSNpzDSEI6NoMXChktGvRBUU5vQrjO96Ncg_DJrYdVFmg8-EHTDRydV_HsbzdCSsMZu84x6nrb55fRkpgY1CE/s640/blogger-image-978884795.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxIiKRMZ88U0m4351QPaomvk2dNkJ_ODxUfo1ZmavEND-MJ6ZWy2WeLoBSNpzDSEI6NoMXChktGvRBUU5vQrjO96Ncg_DJrYdVFmg8-EHTDRydV_HsbzdCSsMZu84x6nrb55fRkpgY1CE/s640/blogger-image-978884795.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Approaching ABC with Annapurna South behind.</b></div></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbJpHlRu_nAj6POWzf1jOKdqz3c81z1TR7bFSpQICzATLRbIZ4IuVJRnk_as8xdSP-Oxs-k04WfWzY38kyuGjtAzhp-4BD-6XZ_1j3j43e0xNGxgodeF0O9ZnTIohJ2U-JNbPHd3TXMuc/s640/blogger-image--1500282936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbJpHlRu_nAj6POWzf1jOKdqz3c81z1TR7bFSpQICzATLRbIZ4IuVJRnk_as8xdSP-Oxs-k04WfWzY38kyuGjtAzhp-4BD-6XZ_1j3j43e0xNGxgodeF0O9ZnTIohJ2U-JNbPHd3TXMuc/s640/blogger-image--1500282936.jpg"></a></div><b>Milk tea with Machhapuchchhre "fish tail" behind. </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><b><br></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0FEr5h6Lft2sqKynqjwczudF_hyJUSV_UNI-6yLmz5CJhbQ0NuADVcRW868MG9xNktPVPA6zMsVbjzfYZtJFplEDiLyMsSp8np65A6KemFHhFJoGTss5JC9a8Bh7K8N6IVzz1HLI3Jc/s640/blogger-image-1495227089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0FEr5h6Lft2sqKynqjwczudF_hyJUSV_UNI-6yLmz5CJhbQ0NuADVcRW868MG9xNktPVPA6zMsVbjzfYZtJFplEDiLyMsSp8np65A6KemFHhFJoGTss5JC9a8Bh7K8N6IVzz1HLI3Jc/s640/blogger-image-1495227089.jpg"></a></div>Bathing beauty!</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><b><br></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJZNz3vWXF-xHHEm8W6yFMT8Zjc9xyTbxD2jfURbG7iJw6GF_gunQ783iVKbZAxi9b5_ZDy7m5su_dFvAziSleM6UknbgV42gIoot0xmBMm7y6s_ipgqUdzdsGRb6U0kMAju02HS7jq0/s640/blogger-image-691187039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJZNz3vWXF-xHHEm8W6yFMT8Zjc9xyTbxD2jfURbG7iJw6GF_gunQ783iVKbZAxi9b5_ZDy7m5su_dFvAziSleM6UknbgV42gIoot0xmBMm7y6s_ipgqUdzdsGRb6U0kMAju02HS7jq0/s640/blogger-image-691187039.jpg"></a></div>ABC pano</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><b><br></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We sunbathed like bathing beauties until the sun ducked behind a mountain and changed our whole world for the rest of the evening! It was frigid and all you can do was eat dinner and go to bed! We were tucked in by the moonlight of a half moon and the constellation, "Orion." Both John and I were feeling nostalgic seeing how this would be our last night in the high Himilayas. Seeing Orion reminded me of walking my sweet Walter down my road in the mornings before I go to crossfit and school. My morning walks with my sweet Wally are very special to me and we always look at Orion together. Yes, I am missing my Walter and Winston terribly! .....and the moon....here is what my grandpa used to say...."I see the moon and the moon sees me, God bless the moon!" This was the perfect night!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnVCsk_NiMtxlv3bt1NrHbU_SIaCMtVz0SJTut4EwBmNN4ZLFTLZSpLyBYridjzEtHmhcWgfwepO2JIWKvproptVnjLTA7-QfKiv9z6iU3mNW43Qy0vy5cUBh_9PIv98KMfrGEK1oBFWo/s640/blogger-image--672869780.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnVCsk_NiMtxlv3bt1NrHbU_SIaCMtVz0SJTut4EwBmNN4ZLFTLZSpLyBYridjzEtHmhcWgfwepO2JIWKvproptVnjLTA7-QfKiv9z6iU3mNW43Qy0vy5cUBh_9PIv98KMfrGEK1oBFWo/s640/blogger-image--672869780.jpg"></a></div><b>My buddy!</b></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07391796852471877399noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4887032317474975284.post-60525497128246454652015-12-20T19:33:00.001-08:002015-12-20T19:33:14.473-08:00.....and we're off! (Dec. 17 & 18)<b>Dec. 17:</b><div>We took a rest day today in the village of Bamboo. My cough continued to get worse and when I woke up this morning I felt pretty terrible. So I lied around all day and drank fresh ginger, lemon, and honey tea. Purna, the owner of the lodge, took special care of me making sure I always had hot water in my bottle to put on my chest and neck at no charge. She also made the best milk tea which reminded me of a spiced chai tea. While I was napping John treated himself to a walk forward on the trail. He found some cool side canyons and watched some more "old man" monkeys!</div><div><br></div><div><b>Dec. 18:</b></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlKitBeymAszbJLyFKUNVDdbLB4u1ClJnbrRm-ginav1Yomrjvd69Ubih0l3RpdYY8juDc9WIf9w4QLFY5W0rxU3WV4x7e10hUtTbW_pPK6IfZDX48mJ9tnRjlYMrwO4_Rbz3xu6cxVcc/s640/blogger-image-1394898931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlKitBeymAszbJLyFKUNVDdbLB4u1ClJnbrRm-ginav1Yomrjvd69Ubih0l3RpdYY8juDc9WIf9w4QLFY5W0rxU3WV4x7e10hUtTbW_pPK6IfZDX48mJ9tnRjlYMrwO4_Rbz3xu6cxVcc/s640/blogger-image-1394898931.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Wow! What 11 hours of sleep can do for the body! Our goal for today was to leave Bamboo (2310m/7576') and walk to Deurali (3230m/10,594') which is within our vertical climbing limits for acclimatization. However we got to Derali around 1:00 for lunch and felt fresh to continue to Machhapuchchhre Basecamp (MBC) (3700m/12,136'). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_VxfEO-AM2C95Su1yNRTdoE6aTLVKrAeA4U1k-Fj0HWqG4C1f6F-BuroqJiNCWKJlnyoR1TLAJnm9E0WqtCfSwl09UYHDSRFApNHR7kJIn634HoyPEbNbrlOSBZUlU5RpZOLsiNfIaQU/s640/blogger-image--1321223778.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_VxfEO-AM2C95Su1yNRTdoE6aTLVKrAeA4U1k-Fj0HWqG4C1f6F-BuroqJiNCWKJlnyoR1TLAJnm9E0WqtCfSwl09UYHDSRFApNHR7kJIn634HoyPEbNbrlOSBZUlU5RpZOLsiNfIaQU/s640/blogger-image--1321223778.jpg"></a></div><b>Machhapuchchhre from the side view. You cannot see the "fish tail" of the peak. </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Machhapuchchhre is a peak with the nickname "fishtail" because it looks like the tail fin of a fish sticking straight up in the air. Beautiful peak! So of course we decided to climb up to MBC making our total elevation gain for the day......4,559'! I know that breaks the acclimatization rules but we technically already did our acclimatization on our trek in the Everest region. </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLaeCmSOLFmk2-9dXSefs8rFF-u_wPuhMr30A-IMWQ3Qa37noyNA0NqG8Tm9XfYK-tZYf1Zt-AI2gwPxH4Axo6w9yZUTX3zju0rpJLY-CXSa6tBK03DZ_TZCMUlCgY7xYZt_KcQP4KtBA/s640/blogger-image-1176773676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLaeCmSOLFmk2-9dXSefs8rFF-u_wPuhMr30A-IMWQ3Qa37noyNA0NqG8Tm9XfYK-tZYf1Zt-AI2gwPxH4Axo6w9yZUTX3zju0rpJLY-CXSa6tBK03DZ_TZCMUlCgY7xYZt_KcQP4KtBA/s640/blogger-image-1176773676.jpg"></a></div><b>Man made pools for making hydroelectric power. The pools create pressure and Guide the water to a tube which takes the water down hill to a hydroelectric generator. </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div>Along the way we got to see one more "old man" monkey (Langur Monkey) hanging out all by himself. He wasn't very interested in entertaining us because he took off as soon as I greeted him with my cheesy animal talk! The change in vegetation was also interesting today because we started in a lush green forest and ended close to treeline with dead bush-like vegetation. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9o8ZYB_dkOSWp9RZlPJW0dLl9jncMux49IL3JNi-n9lCdnUQN8Vd7HhPiwPLaJ5WQooOTJs1mlIVShcP4j8jsFG12-S2DhS8Po9sBuPgojhStYUFOnR4mM6vgPtneij4j-d_wf88KxvA/s640/blogger-image-1111542731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9o8ZYB_dkOSWp9RZlPJW0dLl9jncMux49IL3JNi-n9lCdnUQN8Vd7HhPiwPLaJ5WQooOTJs1mlIVShcP4j8jsFG12-S2DhS8Po9sBuPgojhStYUFOnR4mM6vgPtneij4j-d_wf88KxvA/s640/blogger-image-1111542731.jpg"></a></div><b>This is one of the few green plants surviving up high! I decided to call them "hairy."</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div>There isn't a lot of greenery around here at MBC and in fact we did get a dusting of snow today. We are hoping we don't get anymore snow until we are long gone because this area is known for avalanches.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2vSvhClTN1bRA2XhSSMCHPk8ovR3xXlMatktE08dkLSWXoW8SDt22XmirtVwmgln8sM4mYKtAfOVzWz67mi8L0sAF3j_byH08ck-KjXMgdxV9qw6jRF5HDsJcK8OKOSE7PKk4j09Ku9A/s640/blogger-image-863065094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2vSvhClTN1bRA2XhSSMCHPk8ovR3xXlMatktE08dkLSWXoW8SDt22XmirtVwmgln8sM4mYKtAfOVzWz67mi8L0sAF3j_byH08ck-KjXMgdxV9qw6jRF5HDsJcK8OKOSE7PKk4j09Ku9A/s640/blogger-image-863065094.jpg"></a></div><b>Annapurna South peak (taken from our lodge at MBC)</b></div><div> Tomorrow we have a decision to make. When we continue on to the far end of our trek at the Annapurna Basecamp (ABC) we can either go up there for a few hours or we can spend the night up there at a tea house. Ideally we would like to stay up there but it's also very cold both up there and here at MBC. I didn't mention that none of the tea houses in the Annapurna region have wood burning stoves or any heat source! They are not permitted to cut wood here and there aren't any yaks roaming around depositing dung for burning like there was in the Everest region. Brrrrr!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07391796852471877399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4887032317474975284.post-32078569095558644912015-12-20T19:27:00.001-08:002015-12-20T19:27:44.051-08:00Just monkeying around! (Dec. 16)<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5xAEHpGrSrZDVX66TzLC-58ogjCQriBJ8dnp5tFpnOBXsW0uz_6AdYfxHtWHhhQejq1r6Uytk-OlWFrXrDMje_DI7pUzsHwa_0p-zi3BjPUJespERERHbi7PnyTLb10nOnAoWlWqaack/s640/blogger-image--729810924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5xAEHpGrSrZDVX66TzLC-58ogjCQriBJ8dnp5tFpnOBXsW0uz_6AdYfxHtWHhhQejq1r6Uytk-OlWFrXrDMje_DI7pUzsHwa_0p-zi3BjPUJespERERHbi7PnyTLb10nOnAoWlWqaack/s640/blogger-image--729810924.jpg"></a></div><b>Annapurna South on the left. </b></div><div><b><br></b></div>Another clear sky day in the Himalayas! We left Jhinudanda ready to climb the fifty billion stairs we knew we were going to have to climb today! (Might as well be realistic about it!) Along the way I began to amuse myself with future blog titles like, "Revenge of the Stairmaster" or "The Stairmaster Bites Back"....it made me laugh and forget about the stairs for a<div>moment! Who ever planned this trail did not take elevation gain and loss into the route finding because it seems like for every 1000 feet we climb up, we go back down 1000 feet for a net gain of zero! Except for the first night on this trek, we have been sleeping around the same elevation. That will be changing soon as we get closer to the Annapurna sanctuary!</div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhekGiztCcrozZG99QIxX4BYKGQRLONb9-f_Al9beoDXp16Ewxh-3QqWQ6wfktqPLqa5nt6x0_ZPGkd1FHMvR_WDo0LgtRDKYh5mQE8a5gP9xWSGB3RBENbF76b-g5e6GfqAaTBPXvMAxo/s640/blogger-image-977748458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhekGiztCcrozZG99QIxX4BYKGQRLONb9-f_Al9beoDXp16Ewxh-3QqWQ6wfktqPLqa5nt6x0_ZPGkd1FHMvR_WDo0LgtRDKYh5mQE8a5gP9xWSGB3RBENbF76b-g5e6GfqAaTBPXvMAxo/s640/blogger-image-977748458.jpg"></a></div>Machhpuchchhre (aka "fish tail") just above us!</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0OKxBy5JNAFeLT5gyaRIfBtobKgoyBuDWjrhe82sJXUGkia0HLYzG4kJ1B8czvYbPhWAMb1f_cT9O3W0GE9HgSI3bhkIbXBYrlTeF97jI7HtoIESQ3JGF-g1ftJdgm-iIHFEAmRNBjGo/s640/blogger-image-1942565472.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0OKxBy5JNAFeLT5gyaRIfBtobKgoyBuDWjrhe82sJXUGkia0HLYzG4kJ1B8czvYbPhWAMb1f_cT9O3W0GE9HgSI3bhkIbXBYrlTeF97jI7HtoIESQ3JGF-g1ftJdgm-iIHFEAmRNBjGo/s640/blogger-image-1942565472.jpg"></a></div>His hairdo reminded me of Donald Trump!</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAUOEjQYUWO7C-_rtcnugaHqd37UMjdO-kIHrE-rkeOaXd9K3kDHNS4hOR8hyfOgmO477SxrlzIxZ3mj1fePsFd4aVfsPWa5hONMeqRiDV-iF95bCAJaW124yz8yCmYnaCHqqG8p_VffA/s640/blogger-image--1079886776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAUOEjQYUWO7C-_rtcnugaHqd37UMjdO-kIHrE-rkeOaXd9K3kDHNS4hOR8hyfOgmO477SxrlzIxZ3mj1fePsFd4aVfsPWa5hONMeqRiDV-iF95bCAJaW124yz8yCmYnaCHqqG8p_VffA/s640/blogger-image--1079886776.jpg"></a></div><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGk4ikMLAR1bFI7cnGRUp1CvwDvWIK0TxroYWaTqwH8zW8M5OBcDDoD5YGrKT4rhV_7e77YJr6lsh2pUW8iEx5c7majPA0gA8MCUKZxENmtjbFRg0XQHUpDUEDb1W_qkM5jyKmcYWfYQ/s640/blogger-image--585615722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGk4ikMLAR1bFI7cnGRUp1CvwDvWIK0TxroYWaTqwH8zW8M5OBcDDoD5YGrKT4rhV_7e77YJr6lsh2pUW8iEx5c7majPA0gA8MCUKZxENmtjbFRg0XQHUpDUEDb1W_qkM5jyKmcYWfYQ/s640/blogger-image--585615722.jpg"></a></div>I think I found where trolls come</b></div><div><b>From! Welcome to Trollville!</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div>Of course I got to talk to many new animal friends today including a whole clan of monkeys! This was the highlight of my day! </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI7afciPkJ_BusnOWcQU5PMvUDSvycz_liAMUah8rWTwIYMTLGvsbQS2vYjn9qjulJiUDFPtkTg536wvLRqkgv2k9ajvss_K3amaxmz1N7O0vBhGx2VisstnhvZfFAMK6RGhyfibIwuzo/s640/blogger-image-1353697853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI7afciPkJ_BusnOWcQU5PMvUDSvycz_liAMUah8rWTwIYMTLGvsbQS2vYjn9qjulJiUDFPtkTg536wvLRqkgv2k9ajvss_K3amaxmz1N7O0vBhGx2VisstnhvZfFAMK6RGhyfibIwuzo/s640/blogger-image-1353697853.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4Gi5H2NbRx62euA3CHeZF1ZAPgvDgruH4p1Gg7z5mPZzteWg3H1g0BLk5wSYnbGJz55tkfJrfDXGTfpLa7hDO0DqLXfxEphH4-4fWQUaHOE-Iloy4jN5VJeOBPQuTuV64yq5-jFA3ng/s640/blogger-image--823455171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4Gi5H2NbRx62euA3CHeZF1ZAPgvDgruH4p1Gg7z5mPZzteWg3H1g0BLk5wSYnbGJz55tkfJrfDXGTfpLa7hDO0DqLXfxEphH4-4fWQUaHOE-Iloy4jN5VJeOBPQuTuV64yq5-jFA3ng/s640/blogger-image--823455171.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>They were absolutely adorable with black faces and bushy grey beards! They looked like old men! As cute as they were we did recognize they were wild animals and made sure we kept a Safe distance.....even though I would love to cuddle up with one of them! The bigger and older monkeys stayed closer to us off the trail while the smaller, and I assume younger monkeys, swung around in the trees at a distance showing off their Olympic moves from branch to branch! They were truly just monkeying around!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDbbNXhjIDS7AfnuhBopczndORTmrHh0iA02-aMUBL6U9cT1QwcFq0eGBxHGASFl50qtikXMTxu_F7UjgZzlI-kYdgvn98xEmyney7hX0Bcj9kKHHQiLzc2OqsaMa6cNC3BrUsR-LA_Tw/s640/blogger-image-267874671.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDbbNXhjIDS7AfnuhBopczndORTmrHh0iA02-aMUBL6U9cT1QwcFq0eGBxHGASFl50qtikXMTxu_F7UjgZzlI-kYdgvn98xEmyney7hX0Bcj9kKHHQiLzc2OqsaMa6cNC3BrUsR-LA_Tw/s640/blogger-image-267874671.jpg"></a></div><b>Peeking from Inside the tree. Look at how long his tail is!!! Grey with a white tip!</b></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07391796852471877399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4887032317474975284.post-34031288124130345462015-12-20T19:18:00.001-08:002015-12-20T19:18:37.985-08:00Stairmaster (part two).... Dec. 14 & 15th<div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglLe2GDV0VSQ7FKwSCQOETzfyxsFLbl-05rkXz3gezDb7aYm0yAbuZO05isJcGlCbtumM5rXV6fCQVFJZxTDBo1Bo1dd96erMYP_JX-9zAWMHtLQojUbFC1F9ZfbOW5tg8Xmu2y24azVY/s640/blogger-image--212957261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglLe2GDV0VSQ7FKwSCQOETzfyxsFLbl-05rkXz3gezDb7aYm0yAbuZO05isJcGlCbtumM5rXV6fCQVFJZxTDBo1Bo1dd96erMYP_JX-9zAWMHtLQojUbFC1F9ZfbOW5tg8Xmu2y24azVY/s640/blogger-image--212957261.jpg"></a></div>This was the start to our climb. What you see below was only a fraction of what was yet to come! </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b>Dec. 14:</b></div>Maggie: "We're bustin' free from Pokhara!"<div><br></div><div>John: "We're leaving the warmth of Pokhara."</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5TVYsDGkERAMxhR6v72orG0RAW2tO5wqMd4omd1Spwtq7j_2r-NQIJ9FTPL9fLIrjGzYl3lZqQRUYvuUvjVYpX2jUaycshukjmwfqF-dpHFPKOozJdP36c9yPnlCE0DvNWYek1tlYUDM/s640/blogger-image--540939825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5TVYsDGkERAMxhR6v72orG0RAW2tO5wqMd4omd1Spwtq7j_2r-NQIJ9FTPL9fLIrjGzYl3lZqQRUYvuUvjVYpX2jUaycshukjmwfqF-dpHFPKOozJdP36c9yPnlCE0DvNWYek1tlYUDM/s640/blogger-image--540939825.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Bustin'out of Pokara was not very easy. This picture kind of shows one of the many HUGE lines of vehicles waiting for petrol. The blockade along the Indian border is really causing problems for Nepalis. </b></div><br></div><div>Yes indeed we are on the trail again! I think I am allergic to cities.....no honestly I have been experiencing itchy eyes and a runny nose ever since we arrived in Pokhara and it only continued to worsen. I was hoping that getting up into the hills at a higher elevation would improve my symptoms but it seems like my symptoms have turned into a chest cold. Luckily this trek will barely breach 13,000 feet lowering the risk of altitude affecting my health. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUMi301CiBE8yZL8CYopW4obcgRxJxAgUu1HYFjHDmFLsrqoG8bPKDFsgrLNZhqKCCt8uoZj50wYEFBibo_7RYfo1QgNNIy4EslbIPrncjNzbA9WuTAoJBJeDZ5O9cugWcrwgaSsNMlE/s640/blogger-image--1506589067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUMi301CiBE8yZL8CYopW4obcgRxJxAgUu1HYFjHDmFLsrqoG8bPKDFsgrLNZhqKCCt8uoZj50wYEFBibo_7RYfo1QgNNIy4EslbIPrncjNzbA9WuTAoJBJeDZ5O9cugWcrwgaSsNMlE/s640/blogger-image--1506589067.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>So we are currently on the Anapurna Sanctuary trek. This trek starts at a much lower elevation making the vegetation far more lush than the Khumbu Valley (Everest region). Not only is the vegetation a contrast but the local people living in this region are different. The Kumbu valley is home to the Sherpa people who mainly practice Buddhism and more Hindu Gurung live in the Annapurna region. So far we have been greeted with open arms and kindness just like in the Khumbu valley but there seems to be more of an urgency for our business than we experienced in the Khumbu. We began our hike at Phedi (1130 m/3706') which was a 45 minute drive from Pokhara. Our hike today was a ton of climbing totalling over 3,100 feet! It sounds bad but our bodies were well trained for the challenge and we felt great when we arrived at Pitam Deurali (2100m/6888'). The views from this village were amazing and we didn't realize it until this morning after the clouds cleared! </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEbkhSo4HwWzAx1Yl4Dp3jol_P3zE4OCcuaLKy2fvk7qhsR0gmEa2EqcreKZj13T9Bt_zs1sBssWgJ7LoQ1D6tXDbquVMqhTvbzVWdx_yrOdaK88jkq6V6xk4i5hCiJj2BpOCTuyPSiiU/s640/blogger-image-1967208658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEbkhSo4HwWzAx1Yl4Dp3jol_P3zE4OCcuaLKy2fvk7qhsR0gmEa2EqcreKZj13T9Bt_zs1sBssWgJ7LoQ1D6tXDbquVMqhTvbzVWdx_yrOdaK88jkq6V6xk4i5hCiJj2BpOCTuyPSiiU/s640/blogger-image-1967208658.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>I have so many friends to meet and talk to along the way!!! Goats, chickens, roosters, baby chicks, dogs, cats, cows, yaks,.....and yes monkeys! (Poor John!)</b></div><br></div><div><b>Dec. 15</b></div><div>I woke up to a beautiful sunrise of the sun piercing through a layer of clouds far below me in the valley! Amazing! </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYcecxWYHtgf0Q27tCaVKkEvZOi1JdyYeu25Kndp30Q-9pvCb3nRe1TQaLJG3-oALyxByPYm_DlcLRNTpq_fzEP3lAkxbEVDDbAqa-ge1DXWSszSvhU8ztKb_XVANhPgNXFR2Vw8R4_6s/s640/blogger-image-380447382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYcecxWYHtgf0Q27tCaVKkEvZOi1JdyYeu25Kndp30Q-9pvCb3nRe1TQaLJG3-oALyxByPYm_DlcLRNTpq_fzEP3lAkxbEVDDbAqa-ge1DXWSszSvhU8ztKb_XVANhPgNXFR2Vw8R4_6s/s640/blogger-image-380447382.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTnj4TLVPEB4uSGyTzIfvwrR_mnewj2uxT8w38rincUWLxhol4HwdjDXICp_E6CQTdu6OTIPfRffk8ox5_1ZzPa60PHZ-4ix5w5x72hRqNKF7DiojRMHXns8dJP1p2wd9USEsGVMTcW6c/s640/blogger-image--2014256058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTnj4TLVPEB4uSGyTzIfvwrR_mnewj2uxT8w38rincUWLxhol4HwdjDXICp_E6CQTdu6OTIPfRffk8ox5_1ZzPa60PHZ-4ix5w5x72hRqNKF7DiojRMHXns8dJP1p2wd9USEsGVMTcW6c/s640/blogger-image--2014256058.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>And not <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">To mention the the orange rays it cast upon Annapurna South mountain! Unfortunately all that we climbed yesterday was going to be lost with a whole bunch of downhill today. This trek might not be as high as the Everest region but sure makes up for it in the ups and downs! But no worries.....it's still beautiful! Today we hiked to Jhinudanda (1780m) and really had to work for the last hour because the trail ascended up a steep hillside. We were easily distracted by some monkeys feeding</span></div><div>In the trees above us! Yay! <b>I love </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">monkeys!!!</i> And yes I did think of you guys... Rebecca Joy, Jack junior, and Juju Bean Dugwyler! (These are my young friends who call me "Maggie Monkey.") ooh ooh aah aah! Another amazing day to be thankful for!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFt_kUFxU9aJwzRUAwdEjDLYuF9mYqmUoyIMqq06xanlhYjPke4PHxfC1i8MDKYhYFDJopCU7ig6HoAc0iHZyrHGItD85juZfcHtQDj9hx2x5POy50kYEAiy0y3H01dW2dXSEt_t40YCk/s640/blogger-image-48918280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFt_kUFxU9aJwzRUAwdEjDLYuF9mYqmUoyIMqq06xanlhYjPke4PHxfC1i8MDKYhYFDJopCU7ig6HoAc0iHZyrHGItD85juZfcHtQDj9hx2x5POy50kYEAiy0y3H01dW2dXSEt_t40YCk/s640/blogger-image-48918280.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Our room is just above and to the left of this sign in Pitam Deurali. </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZJf0b7T_khJmQKhdyRAZYGJcoTka-3utjxVVFq7eOiZpl0OcCpULyUHhiatgN5CKmUYgGyoVxtu1ARJdwdGIjQigCTSqWkLEx9ev9C_CRq0Xm6yj2SuliiO6I8CPJnGwD3wQ5K7aDFy8/s640/blogger-image-83344911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZJf0b7T_khJmQKhdyRAZYGJcoTka-3utjxVVFq7eOiZpl0OcCpULyUHhiatgN5CKmUYgGyoVxtu1ARJdwdGIjQigCTSqWkLEx9ev9C_CRq0Xm6yj2SuliiO6I8CPJnGwD3wQ5K7aDFy8/s640/blogger-image-83344911.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Kitchen in the lodge we stayed at in Pitam Deurali. Most places have to cook with fire because of the blockade situation with India. The food has been amazing!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCcUT6TjZ_bE80T5pJ5r6anDpRd0MyN94IOHnQBoEgEdfa6cjWhKuUel0KH0U6Otdv-AzZmphb_PNm2fKjiokx9d2HLWOMQqmzLPZY3tncBL13H4T67wmmRidJUd3hjxnExDXAImCR4w/s640/blogger-image--2111477729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCcUT6TjZ_bE80T5pJ5r6anDpRd0MyN94IOHnQBoEgEdfa6cjWhKuUel0KH0U6Otdv-AzZmphb_PNm2fKjiokx9d2HLWOMQqmzLPZY3tncBL13H4T67wmmRidJUd3hjxnExDXAImCR4w/s640/blogger-image--2111477729.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Hauling a bag of cement in flip flops. Btw.....he is carrying this for hours, not just around the corner. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYoi-oGf_b9cOVhpmj5TSXMoJipCGka2b6MtNf2OAyFzojBuZF4ZgKbvJPCb_dwZqSR-YOAVHYB1MOVSyDr1X48-tLcEp7W333a5G7vWDonnqc0tNp35-a2Q4xH8jzDBq9hvNxh-2S2Z4/s640/blogger-image-285814344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYoi-oGf_b9cOVhpmj5TSXMoJipCGka2b6MtNf2OAyFzojBuZF4ZgKbvJPCb_dwZqSR-YOAVHYB1MOVSyDr1X48-tLcEp7W333a5G7vWDonnqc0tNp35-a2Q4xH8jzDBq9hvNxh-2S2Z4/s640/blogger-image-285814344.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The bridges are a little more sketchy here. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim9SP_x4bQz81HDvzAAEW66fO8PenJR5cj3kEe3LRDJPPkbnGWVpT7Br_-C0EJLLguMfrjoct4cg-kqIXpdpMzyV1oTZBlOgySeG58A2q-rLz6LvFJf1-yAH77ua-Pf07oF8fTqhjHXZo/s640/blogger-image-1056413076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim9SP_x4bQz81HDvzAAEW66fO8PenJR5cj3kEe3LRDJPPkbnGWVpT7Br_-C0EJLLguMfrjoct4cg-kqIXpdpMzyV1oTZBlOgySeG58A2q-rLz6LvFJf1-yAH77ua-Pf07oF8fTqhjHXZo/s640/blogger-image-1056413076.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD6kLmdZXY3a-H1hWkLy_zy2v5kqq48R10maAwBhWYRuJPxY2UpDAC1vKC3FY2ULB3je816MxYnnN0hb9POlI1rY4Fvbd65dsIRiWKf4TDR4LsBw1l1SMkQK-FFRxL9e22ZRW-dSnAXYg/s640/blogger-image--1888706837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD6kLmdZXY3a-H1hWkLy_zy2v5kqq48R10maAwBhWYRuJPxY2UpDAC1vKC3FY2ULB3je816MxYnnN0hb9POlI1rY4Fvbd65dsIRiWKf4TDR4LsBw1l1SMkQK-FFRxL9e22ZRW-dSnAXYg/s640/blogger-image--1888706837.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">.....but the flowers make up for the bridges!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19HtcpKtqKLMi_SfAV3zqx4lKApodqimJLLW8Mq_GJSHJ7H6xAgeMeeuWwg9RF-OQ2vqdtth1BxxVZYS7J0obCtXxgI7Q6giHiWqbA_0vz3Nx3MZ5zpvsFd5Lvwy-SKF_pDtFRhm0okI/s640/blogger-image-975284904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19HtcpKtqKLMi_SfAV3zqx4lKApodqimJLLW8Mq_GJSHJ7H6xAgeMeeuWwg9RF-OQ2vqdtth1BxxVZYS7J0obCtXxgI7Q6giHiWqbA_0vz3Nx3MZ5zpvsFd5Lvwy-SKF_pDtFRhm0okI/s640/blogger-image-975284904.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYu9YRvP6VDDKlLLWHpTqhY5uXj5n3gqdYpwa9WtzO9OJ19yHGnBWSN7G-gXab36wJZnD7fo8k10a0f85d-lMtnQ92AhuuSV2g6UcZkJuvaYEI6B_9skITKdVW6HlVdHcazRGx70bINpM/s640/blogger-image-1722086047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYu9YRvP6VDDKlLLWHpTqhY5uXj5n3gqdYpwa9WtzO9OJ19yHGnBWSN7G-gXab36wJZnD7fo8k10a0f85d-lMtnQ92AhuuSV2g6UcZkJuvaYEI6B_9skITKdVW6HlVdHcazRGx70bINpM/s640/blogger-image-1722086047.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcA5sa7AJYxRHWn5MqbKfGSCs8VlnE9OJi4hq8ieQYWlTemXxrwe-i4uJvlUbpYw0qGGuWr6BdZqeWcYs7Tg-vCuxLCd_1A_wY39brFbvJ-5Fsx1VtQwlIWD_JAjwJhTbRixb43nPRKzY/s640/blogger-image-503093569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcA5sa7AJYxRHWn5MqbKfGSCs8VlnE9OJi4hq8ieQYWlTemXxrwe-i4uJvlUbpYw0qGGuWr6BdZqeWcYs7Tg-vCuxLCd_1A_wY39brFbvJ-5Fsx1VtQwlIWD_JAjwJhTbRixb43nPRKzY/s640/blogger-image-503093569.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We walked across that terrace and then down the right side just before climbing up to Jhinudanda. This is where we saw the monkeys but I couldn't get a picture because of the sun. :(</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnzRzBmaSg6mIcdSaYJVcZ1Tv_G1U6IKPqBELcSIhAmCOAFI3i4BYXugDegGr7wYllFPjmznRx5rgotA6xZw1e9-I_CtDa7qfbrlxf2jjSLipuu4wCF8dP-ldXvtB_1YycafUaSaDE76Y/s640/blogger-image-1976680515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnzRzBmaSg6mIcdSaYJVcZ1Tv_G1U6IKPqBELcSIhAmCOAFI3i4BYXugDegGr7wYllFPjmznRx5rgotA6xZw1e9-I_CtDa7qfbrlxf2jjSLipuu4wCF8dP-ldXvtB_1YycafUaSaDE76Y/s640/blogger-image-1976680515.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Home for <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Tonight!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></b></div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07391796852471877399noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4887032317474975284.post-75607575373888435402015-12-12T20:36:00.001-08:002015-12-12T21:21:25.287-08:00No Horn Zone (Dec. 12th)<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig_CNsbkhhfp0KyZYCGK1zN5biDh688M62p7sfxRei8GerAgosRhLpgw8i0ReaU9dp3y40P8Zc0OOXqz1syPowzm_yAhglC1RwLJ_Ca_gGky58ol2FROOdG9QAGD_AvIgR5cL8aLzPMCM/s640/blogger-image--1834719011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig_CNsbkhhfp0KyZYCGK1zN5biDh688M62p7sfxRei8GerAgosRhLpgw8i0ReaU9dp3y40P8Zc0OOXqz1syPowzm_yAhglC1RwLJ_Ca_gGky58ol2FROOdG9QAGD_AvIgR5cL8aLzPMCM/s640/blogger-image--1834719011.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Welcome to Pokhara! (Airport)</b></div><br></div>We were up early, ate breakfast with Tashi and your family, and then we were off to a taxi! We headed to the Kathmandu airport to catch a flight to Pokhara, Nepal. <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZpEeQo0tL-NFNjW9gv-BPZwqa1JDtBkHy8HTV4XbKSGVYgX8BChPRTw6DCzrnVwQ5N6ShDzwYVDLQx4e40q7EtL5oil0lzp8zCM0m3pAPP8rwppC0r-59-cRGhjoOsZ9BGdOy22EUT4/s640/blogger-image-716958557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZpEeQo0tL-NFNjW9gv-BPZwqa1JDtBkHy8HTV4XbKSGVYgX8BChPRTw6DCzrnVwQ5N6ShDzwYVDLQx4e40q7EtL5oil0lzp8zCM0m3pAPP8rwppC0r-59-cRGhjoOsZ9BGdOy22EUT4/s640/blogger-image-716958557.jpg"></a></div><b>Yay! Another small plane but bigger than the plane from Lukla! Yeti airlines.</b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj07ngeN6xUUX8kAlU1OI_ECNaGG3v0hZ0h2E71O2s-6jhsnwVpY_Bw0GXMvOrWG5fIEalYpqjqwsDfaN0dirNNu8phThXH9QeY7gEJ1tuPDCaaPdrAP3rUX7XgSnrXooc9yXTVpV8EPtk/s640/blogger-image--612527338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj07ngeN6xUUX8kAlU1OI_ECNaGG3v0hZ0h2E71O2s-6jhsnwVpY_Bw0GXMvOrWG5fIEalYpqjqwsDfaN0dirNNu8phThXH9QeY7gEJ1tuPDCaaPdrAP3rUX7XgSnrXooc9yXTVpV8EPtk/s640/blogger-image--612527338.jpg"></a></div><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQyFbfzMGlyAW9WCYlDiXWMnq2Y2B_9GPMEJetqA_pWXyMM1XbbdYwFEQFtONyTVtbzSTghb1mNYrgVjrMbnKD2sqziF1LuYW9W5aXYA8N0WyT4pzT0TCuNPcHSlvjN5Kr-d72WatmN-0/s640/blogger-image--1193525251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQyFbfzMGlyAW9WCYlDiXWMnq2Y2B_9GPMEJetqA_pWXyMM1XbbdYwFEQFtONyTVtbzSTghb1mNYrgVjrMbnKD2sqziF1LuYW9W5aXYA8N0WyT4pzT0TCuNPcHSlvjN5Kr-d72WatmN-0/s640/blogger-image--1193525251.jpg"></a></div>Baggage claim building. </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div>Pokhara is the second largest city in Nepal and is known for having a "chill" vibe to its cadence. Many tourists come to Pokhara for its mello atmosphere, beautiful lake and to launch on trekking adventures into the Annapurna mountains. We arrived to Pokhara and decided to walk to the main part of the city which is located along a large lake called, "Phewa Tal." I was very happy to pass a huge billboard sign indicating that we were entering a no horn area. :) </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZjXl1fy0Xncq5NZuiicSm0XES3vpnVatzukgfxiiXziiWzuQA7FiuMicn-T7eJL5-cuBZQ-QTI50Qbpsvl65fwna_MWQioJf9IjiThCW9B3SsETUX0xdMWiHSsvWKcunfH2iPx0fcTgo/s640/blogger-image-319857351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZjXl1fy0Xncq5NZuiicSm0XES3vpnVatzukgfxiiXziiWzuQA7FiuMicn-T7eJL5-cuBZQ-QTI50Qbpsvl65fwna_MWQioJf9IjiThCW9B3SsETUX0xdMWiHSsvWKcunfH2iPx0fcTgo/s640/blogger-image-319857351.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Big smile!!!!</b></div><br></div><div>Like many other cohntries I have visited, Nepali drivers use their horn to communicate their every move whether it is a happy or an angry gesture. Actually most of the time the horn is used as a neutral gesture and not out of anger as in the US. With that being said the natural sound in Nepal usually consists of a lot of car honking, dogs barking, and roosters crowing......except in Pokhara....ahhhh!<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQWBLQKstV0pfENM6Fimqwy6j1CiZUtg93xNXHK3-X9QfclUE8jwyaUEZ9AOYpxnkIQN5XJo4TE6mZ0BVQT9h5h8fjkVHWYoTmk293Jt_9eGWQVGNIIJvb_C-K-hT2zG3MQknRvNvsmnU/s640/blogger-image-873700190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQWBLQKstV0pfENM6Fimqwy6j1CiZUtg93xNXHK3-X9QfclUE8jwyaUEZ9AOYpxnkIQN5XJo4TE6mZ0BVQT9h5h8fjkVHWYoTmk293Jt_9eGWQVGNIIJvb_C-K-hT2zG3MQknRvNvsmnU/s640/blogger-image-873700190.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>More bikes and cows.....fewer cars, motor bikes and busses. </b></div><br></div><div>We found a nice place to stay, organized the washing of our nasty clothes, and hit the town along the lake. Seriously......this place is way more chill and mello to my liking! It's very apparent that many Nepali families come here for their vacations along with international tourists. The elevation of Pokhara is lower than Kathmandu making the temperature warmer and the vegetation more lush! Ahhhh! I have to admit this is a great contrast to the Khumbu valley! </div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0O0oiJWXu8mfxuXJrW5vvgd7SiXcj2ICsH-W0pqMqws3l-_zuVW3mdZLS5UvQ8tsbk4NEPQ09YdA5AuP7v6s-_h_yKt8qqci9jvMrCa8dKK9YBbj8EFD_bURpT8eheRPHs6SbjMI9TtY/s640/blogger-image-87725220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0O0oiJWXu8mfxuXJrW5vvgd7SiXcj2ICsH-W0pqMqws3l-_zuVW3mdZLS5UvQ8tsbk4NEPQ09YdA5AuP7v6s-_h_yKt8qqci9jvMrCa8dKK9YBbj8EFD_bURpT8eheRPHs6SbjMI9TtY/s640/blogger-image-87725220.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5JD2GDkpk-caREeXE-YWArmTdcrWBQl68WVYqNhdvndG3nl1RMo7pYjeOajfhUuODrUnL5s_lukdWZ4yUBkUGzh0AGZbILxMUB_kGiV_R3E7x3-TPRJCe89gANzvwX4sA0D-FdPNFhc/s640/blogger-image-331782964.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5JD2GDkpk-caREeXE-YWArmTdcrWBQl68WVYqNhdvndG3nl1RMo7pYjeOajfhUuODrUnL5s_lukdWZ4yUBkUGzh0AGZbILxMUB_kGiV_R3E7x3-TPRJCe89gANzvwX4sA0D-FdPNFhc/s640/blogger-image-331782964.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Typical restaurant along the lake. </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisG1E-v5xTzsylM-r85tQBbQ4dWVYZzKhKQFhZ5aPiJoZDEGXj-eR_c3k4LxO6e6mFq3DF-U9PViZtAB-BrWJgwL_pBvEMaaKI90zQzN5N9b6Hm7CXpT-pC48ztao1nDj3DCtOGFYchVA/s640/blogger-image-1386387344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisG1E-v5xTzsylM-r85tQBbQ4dWVYZzKhKQFhZ5aPiJoZDEGXj-eR_c3k4LxO6e6mFq3DF-U9PViZtAB-BrWJgwL_pBvEMaaKI90zQzN5N9b6Hm7CXpT-pC48ztao1nDj3DCtOGFYchVA/s640/blogger-image-1386387344.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Lakeshore. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEk9HChz_bzcx0qke1wgg-opJOPctp6jCkLE_4er2kc-eWxKvAhCKVAHegokzo7OJt4GkXES3zFzcu9G70zRLjVekklqAb0Gng7k48Yp6cx6YhQG-2mTQTKXrkr_n7bV4ymINhZVEJkU/s640/blogger-image-770540928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEk9HChz_bzcx0qke1wgg-opJOPctp6jCkLE_4er2kc-eWxKvAhCKVAHegokzo7OJt4GkXES3zFzcu9G70zRLjVekklqAb0Gng7k48Yp6cx6YhQG-2mTQTKXrkr_n7bV4ymINhZVEJkU/s640/blogger-image-770540928.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">"Phewa Tal" (lake)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKoa0zuAUlHzmCiT-BXzVl82-XrZO4_Wy0qPDyxS4M70lXwI9l5pqB7NPwMKtMFFeJo-j3JgxKHie8GyiJ7RVlT39Ty34xF6hxqkayHPHpkI8Y7U3KIoiLNr-ml34Or3wsE43_sezIPN4/s640/blogger-image--383159186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKoa0zuAUlHzmCiT-BXzVl82-XrZO4_Wy0qPDyxS4M70lXwI9l5pqB7NPwMKtMFFeJo-j3JgxKHie8GyiJ7RVlT39Ty34xF6hxqkayHPHpkI8Y7U3KIoiLNr-ml34Or3wsE43_sezIPN4/s640/blogger-image--383159186.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We sat on a bench to listen to these guys playing music. They were really good!</div><br></div><br></div><br></b></div><br></div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07391796852471877399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4887032317474975284.post-46446782623845029482015-12-12T19:19:00.001-08:002015-12-12T20:34:04.095-08:00Goodbye Khumbu Valley :( Dec. 10-11<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJL8v90OOd1GmXH-3G77CqdcVDTtq8xMq-Vo51jsl-df1391qDeHvD8F4WNkXbhvR1Qx0I1KMLCgcIac5Af8P7LUqU1PbdLpO_ZeEFVCkw7L0vxZteDsfay7c81tk282o5IlNvUmtN98/s640/blogger-image-1968186332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJL8v90OOd1GmXH-3G77CqdcVDTtq8xMq-Vo51jsl-df1391qDeHvD8F4WNkXbhvR1Qx0I1KMLCgcIac5Af8P7LUqU1PbdLpO_ZeEFVCkw7L0vxZteDsfay7c81tk282o5IlNvUmtN98/s640/blogger-image-1968186332.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Village of Monjo. </b></div><br></div>From Namche Bizzare we stopped at the very first tea house we stayed at on our way into the Khumbu Valley along the trail in the village of Monjo. It was great to see Pasong (owner of Mt. Kailash Lodge) for our send off just as he welcomed us to the valley. We absolutely loved him and his staff's hospitality and enthusiasm. <b>When I come back</b> (yeah sorry mom, I <b>really</b> want to come back here.) Monjo will be my first stop! Thank you Pasong!<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj13XILRiNTtimj3cd9Sz4l785j1PK-6fAsfmbw11bxNSw4LK2J18dunfD9e7PxhGfmiSMUCuhEVmMAxzLrNaXTaPu50o5UduBVFeTGsBm0g8QYIhbDbA_YbJhFtP6KXkE15lzMUk2DBwg/s640/blogger-image-1918255979.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj13XILRiNTtimj3cd9Sz4l785j1PK-6fAsfmbw11bxNSw4LK2J18dunfD9e7PxhGfmiSMUCuhEVmMAxzLrNaXTaPu50o5UduBVFeTGsBm0g8QYIhbDbA_YbJhFtP6KXkE15lzMUk2DBwg/s640/blogger-image-1918255979.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Pasong's prayer room. </b></div><br></div><div>December 10: we continued to descend further into the Khumbu Valley before beginning a long ascent to Lukla, where we launched on this incredible journey! The clouds continued to build all day and the humidity climbed....I know because John's hair gets curlier as the humidity rises! </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2IseCLIbc-f2HD9AhxERPyFNH0BY5n5k7p5juQBhM1DLHnZpn9Re_hqdQAbreijEtsfL77HEHEeFy79Q_Q7fyWWvn6pKaCqlmEiNbCOvmrZNTibZWJutBRouUnuOAFGx5z8qnV_zPWsA/s640/blogger-image--132796675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2IseCLIbc-f2HD9AhxERPyFNH0BY5n5k7p5juQBhM1DLHnZpn9Re_hqdQAbreijEtsfL77HEHEeFy79Q_Q7fyWWvn6pKaCqlmEiNbCOvmrZNTibZWJutBRouUnuOAFGx5z8qnV_zPWsA/s640/blogger-image--132796675.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0k9tXKq1J5bAvWM1sDTvwKrXkNtA4ibY3U4JJZYdLuR_ANMldIGIYSHOaHrqxzST6-VIB0iG4b6tf_UQnmhvM9WlJIIfXQmVevP0EP3ubVO19qK1qKSu_jfGMeK19KVJIRJETLaHt_fA/s640/blogger-image-710931707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0k9tXKq1J5bAvWM1sDTvwKrXkNtA4ibY3U4JJZYdLuR_ANMldIGIYSHOaHrqxzST6-VIB0iG4b6tf_UQnmhvM9WlJIIfXQmVevP0EP3ubVO19qK1qKSu_jfGMeK19KVJIRJETLaHt_fA/s640/blogger-image-710931707.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>A lot more crops growing lower in the valley this late in the season. </b></div></div><br></div><div> We were cold and tired upon our arrival into Lukla. Our anticipation for a <b>hot</b> shower was about to materialize......so we thought. The shower was warm but far from hot! I was way more cold after my shower than before my shower but nothing a hot milk coffee couldn't fix. We stayed at a lodge right next to the airport and the takeoff/landing strip. It's pretty wild to see just how slanted the runway is to assist the take off and landing of planes! This is considered the world's most dangerous airport! </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8R1Akz-0TIZtMtbPqfdF8aqlXfX-HuA1l60eLBsCNewtNMAWFkrQB11XhBpNwSWViml6uJ7gajRg2US6AQejXkuWzu0pFYWi8zvTaDvJv2I9_o1nBDK8eV07POuLQ6o3rgbb2pYU463k/s640/blogger-image--197150138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8R1Akz-0TIZtMtbPqfdF8aqlXfX-HuA1l60eLBsCNewtNMAWFkrQB11XhBpNwSWViml6uJ7gajRg2US6AQejXkuWzu0pFYWi8zvTaDvJv2I9_o1nBDK8eV07POuLQ6o3rgbb2pYU463k/s640/blogger-image--197150138.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Before shower.....yuck! John's perm!</b></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhsRIjCmxlKkHSnJOkxNarfP6GqPG6JImyecgLGeBQ6UW4eX4iIi3Jr2fcV4I_lGsh7jEp6PognKTq8VkVhZIAwyPicY-2HnWmvczafk2wQjKf0EXJsrSUfCJfHOg33N1vtNZ9Nl6dWs/s640/blogger-image--1162981107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhsRIjCmxlKkHSnJOkxNarfP6GqPG6JImyecgLGeBQ6UW4eX4iIi3Jr2fcV4I_lGsh7jEp6PognKTq8VkVhZIAwyPicY-2HnWmvczafk2wQjKf0EXJsrSUfCJfHOg33N1vtNZ9Nl6dWs/s640/blogger-image--1162981107.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Lukla: little pots with vegetables growing. </div></b></div><div><br></div><div>Dec. 11: We had to get up early and look out the window to see if we could see the other side of the valley. Yesterday none of the flights left Lukla because it was too cloudy so there were a bunch of people stuck in a Lukla from yesterday and more trekkers that hiked in yesterday that needed to fly to Kathmandu. Luckily we woke up to clear skies so we were at the dining room by 6 o'clock ready to eat breakfast and walk over to the airport. I have this thing for small planes. I just can't help but watch them take off and land. I just <b>love</b> them! So after we checked in for our flight (mass chaos) I stood outside in the freezing cold watching planes come in, turn around on the tarmac to park, people from Kathmandu get off, then people get on for their flight. I was happy as a clam but a cold clam! I was lucky to get a front row seat in our plane where I could see out my side window with no obstruction from the engine <b>and</b> look forward through the windows in the cockpit (Seriously I felt like a kid who just got her own cotton candy at the fair and I'm sure I still have smile creases in my face from smiling so hard!) </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84r-KYzEXrUg7DKavzKxCSSTo7_zzsL3FIbTmQxnP5kTmKD4xZqM_xpy6IqKELxnQSZS6zICqnxxmdEQkX-7rsFPtLralvldBikacjekkEwXV7bvcUxnNzbVdGZjPb1LqKFOZxDTlYjg/s640/blogger-image-1012126005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84r-KYzEXrUg7DKavzKxCSSTo7_zzsL3FIbTmQxnP5kTmKD4xZqM_xpy6IqKELxnQSZS6zICqnxxmdEQkX-7rsFPtLralvldBikacjekkEwXV7bvcUxnNzbVdGZjPb1LqKFOZxDTlYjg/s640/blogger-image-1012126005.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Our plane!</b></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ40h1iFJkUl0h4_dSlnrO5fK07vzCJUMkjbHrk5TS83Qg7m3wMTmjbH5YJDJE7ebET7VqPYAihrRgacdJCc8zsvHEnet3nGnNM3ofZ6Xo3Iv8zBQzs5zluUmtaLRj7S7-7u0_Tr0axkE/s640/blogger-image-1242360383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ40h1iFJkUl0h4_dSlnrO5fK07vzCJUMkjbHrk5TS83Qg7m3wMTmjbH5YJDJE7ebET7VqPYAihrRgacdJCc8zsvHEnet3nGnNM3ofZ6Xo3Iv8zBQzs5zluUmtaLRj7S7-7u0_Tr0axkE/s640/blogger-image-1242360383.jpg"></a></div><b>Our plane parked at the end of the runway! Notice how the runway seems to dissappear?</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTWIe5n3-UTqCmrQmDAstCOMV4pEPulUeQYzoQws9Kk4X7vxomBRdYClAhabiGel87Wnv4Bjiq3ITpSpOizdPbbyZbphCBM-UJJXfjyNiynrherEbS7JDNQ_znQSXEmCVDdYp4F_Zyz4/s640/blogger-image-217272851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTWIe5n3-UTqCmrQmDAstCOMV4pEPulUeQYzoQws9Kk4X7vxomBRdYClAhabiGel87Wnv4Bjiq3ITpSpOizdPbbyZbphCBM-UJJXfjyNiynrherEbS7JDNQ_znQSXEmCVDdYp4F_Zyz4/s640/blogger-image-217272851.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">John at the back.....we're both like little kids'</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMq5B1RIURo0CEgeUv4bSk4gPwlfo0LSfa4IITiBOaeExmx8II0u_gtwXZ9XTPL6a6HOw_izcG9zOfUrmKglh-LisXNI58WM6WOrp0Ai-m3HkhbhiBtCb0hpQXnjtSXvFYFHWXwmnF2pc/s640/blogger-image-311372694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMq5B1RIURo0CEgeUv4bSk4gPwlfo0LSfa4IITiBOaeExmx8II0u_gtwXZ9XTPL6a6HOw_izcG9zOfUrmKglh-LisXNI58WM6WOrp0Ai-m3HkhbhiBtCb0hpQXnjtSXvFYFHWXwmnF2pc/s640/blogger-image-311372694.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My view!</div></div><br></b></div><div>Because our plane was the last to land there was no room in the regular parking spots for planes so our plane parked at the very beginning of the runway which meant we were going to be the first to take off! My body was filled with pure excitement as we boarded the plane and I was so ready to do this take off! It kind of reminded me how I felt for my first float plane take off in Alaska last summer! Again.......I kind of have a thing for planes! Before you take off the pilots rev the engine as high as it goes with the brakes on. They have to get the plane to full power before it starts going forward because the runway is so short. They have to get hundred percent power pushing that plane forward to get maximum speed by the end of the runway so that you can lift off! We had two pilots flying the plane and I watched them them like a hawk switching switches on and off, pulling levers and turning dials. Did I mention that the copilot was a female? That was the first female pilot I've seen since we've been in Nepal and it reminded me of my good friend Tina. While they were revving up the engines at the beginning of the runway the excitement poured out of me like Old Faithful! I felt like a little kid getting ready to go for her first roller coaster ride! The plane kept shaking and rattling and was super loud......I wasn't sure if I should be a little nervous or not? I guess I just felt like I needed to trust the situation. Soon the pilots took the break off and the plane started to move forward. There's a little bit of time where the plane goes on a flat surface and then soon the plane dips down the slanted runway giving you the feeling that there's no turning back, it's all or nothing! The plane accelerated down the slanted runway and I could see the end of the runway coming as I looked through my iPhone which was pointed out the cockpit Windows and before i knew it we were lifting off! That feeling of flying in the air and looking around at all the Himalayan mountains! At that moment I was still excited but I was already starting to miss the Khumbu Valley. I truly love the mountains and being on a trail hearing nothing but organic material crunching underneath my boots and everything I need to survive on my back. There's nothing like the feeling of not knowing what's around the next corner or bend in the trail and being able to choose when and where you want to stop to sleep. I love that ........which is why I spend so much time in the woods in Colorado. However Nepal is different. It's the people of Nepal. I've traveled to South America a few times and you just don't feel as safe as you do in Nepal. The Nepali people are incredibly hard-working and kind people that only want the best for everyone. They care about others. They live a hard life, according to Western standards, but do it with so much grace and enthusiasm! I can't tell you how many times I just wish I could bring our local students to Nepal or to countries like Nepal so that they can experience a different culture and appreciate the opportunities that we have here in the United States. I'm not saying our country is perfect but I can say that I was lucky to be born in the United States. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOW8ZYV-SyEToKSKzKDL2uZzvhqbJRYg3CVwCNMXlf0SRwoBPv_TtPM5sH2ZSxH36k6CoPTB5-KjlLSAjd97VCZ415DatwmInYi6krxOc0evcfnxNUpRUbL9scgFlZ7CjUTjMOnEzEnXU/s640/blogger-image--375720446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOW8ZYV-SyEToKSKzKDL2uZzvhqbJRYg3CVwCNMXlf0SRwoBPv_TtPM5sH2ZSxH36k6CoPTB5-KjlLSAjd97VCZ415DatwmInYi6krxOc0evcfnxNUpRUbL9scgFlZ7CjUTjMOnEzEnXU/s640/blogger-image--375720446.jpg"></a></div><b>Boudha Stupa: you can see a picture of the stupa before the earthquake. </b></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHeRO91hZOa6F4hentZXNnqS2vynd_GDjoy_o0OkxUEXKxQeVi2p0gnuP7rfciEsyUU_Ni-Dij3_0a5rMkg7w77MbwPMm2NxbXTman0OVJPd_7_UVqgUOFoESoF9-aZjKq8e173ehqHW0/s640/blogger-image--488559497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHeRO91hZOa6F4hentZXNnqS2vynd_GDjoy_o0OkxUEXKxQeVi2p0gnuP7rfciEsyUU_Ni-Dij3_0a5rMkg7w77MbwPMm2NxbXTman0OVJPd_7_UVqgUOFoESoF9-aZjKq8e173ehqHW0/s640/blogger-image--488559497.jpg"></a></div><b>Walking clockwise around the stupa turning prayer wheels. </b></div><div><br></div><div>We landed in Kathmandu and were welcomed with open arms by Tashi and Lakpa Sherpa and their family! Just a reminder, Tashi and Lakpa come to Winter Park, CO every summer for three months to sell jewelry. We met Tashi along the trail at her lodge a few weeks ago and both Tashi and Lakpa are now in Kathmandu for the winter since the trekking season is almost over. Nepal follows the Chinese calendar which means some years are called "black years" making it so people cannot get married during those years. 2016 is going to be a black year, so right now there have been many wedding ceremonies including a wedding ceremony in Tashi and Lakpa's family. So we were greeted by many family members into their home and of course we were invited to stay with them! I can't tell you how gracious Tashi and Lakpa have been to us! After the standard tradition of enjoying milk tea together were off to explore Kathmandu with our own private tour guides (Tashi and her cousins)! </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKgGKPiA46r8shsedh4nHGHtSCao4Kz8c74qU78QhA75CHVtnv2m0x3DhaALR1WCQfBcLHHc_arMLbHvSUelf_6bfsvueXLtxCVBEEpUwHPOpqk8zbwjSAvn7OaLjXiDrhJnRCRJCoDz0/s640/blogger-image-578354595.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKgGKPiA46r8shsedh4nHGHtSCao4Kz8c74qU78QhA75CHVtnv2m0x3DhaALR1WCQfBcLHHc_arMLbHvSUelf_6bfsvueXLtxCVBEEpUwHPOpqk8zbwjSAvn7OaLjXiDrhJnRCRJCoDz0/s640/blogger-image-578354595.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>The crew! Tashi is next to John. Entrance to a monastery. </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOLkzIefZr91dPU63H1_PwYVEigNOo_HgxynViuYmAixO5_0W0EpEQE1NKS5VOxC3Mn5a5ngD4dbQgdrBsGhywSybvrSVmysz1hwMxYe6Sb2RG9rW_Ls2Y-AA8HucSO67D8lWzVdrtY2Y/s640/blogger-image-637361579.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOLkzIefZr91dPU63H1_PwYVEigNOo_HgxynViuYmAixO5_0W0EpEQE1NKS5VOxC3Mn5a5ngD4dbQgdrBsGhywSybvrSVmysz1hwMxYe6Sb2RG9rW_Ls2Y-AA8HucSO67D8lWzVdrtY2Y/s640/blogger-image-637361579.jpg"></a></div><b>Monastery being renovated after earthquake </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm7eYnlj7A7QNh7c512fpKWHmCJ0x_xtYER8wnrSROFbc65dhCr40LsBu7AruBxkvTSINgpV03sz2YLOjovBV_y9tNFDmjW7zmbJVPamRHRwLsCYQwmz_7OqPxc7d6sjH-Q1BNdKOBVCA/s640/blogger-image--1444847209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm7eYnlj7A7QNh7c512fpKWHmCJ0x_xtYER8wnrSROFbc65dhCr40LsBu7AruBxkvTSINgpV03sz2YLOjovBV_y9tNFDmjW7zmbJVPamRHRwLsCYQwmz_7OqPxc7d6sjH-Q1BNdKOBVCA/s640/blogger-image--1444847209.jpg"></a></div>Tashi wearing a traditional wedding hat. </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgboqXNGBhbP6iRVhNnVNpuk2ry_i6XoV04uQnzQT-OXLNvVJtsBEuhr3uit0TSjLOuTDBD6p0NK8ZCFU7Q1Nmmd0QoOpHJWBUWzFEhu48JVOAtXI-SiRLUUIS3Ahm5-X5WlVIgXoeHY/s640/blogger-image--865534847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgboqXNGBhbP6iRVhNnVNpuk2ry_i6XoV04uQnzQT-OXLNvVJtsBEuhr3uit0TSjLOuTDBD6p0NK8ZCFU7Q1Nmmd0QoOpHJWBUWzFEhu48JVOAtXI-SiRLUUIS3Ahm5-X5WlVIgXoeHY/s640/blogger-image--865534847.jpg"></a></div>John wearing the male's version of a wedding hat. </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div>We headed to the Boudha Stupa to see and experience that area! Unfortunately due to the earthquake they were still rebuilding the very top of the stupa that tumbled down during the earthquake. We were surrounded by spiritual practice with many local people walking around the stupa in a clockwise direction and turning the prayer wheels. Today was a very special day because it was between the moons which means Buddhists do not eat meat or drink alcohol for this day. Many people converge at the stupa lighting butter lamps to cleanse their souls or the souls of other people. </div><div><br></div><div>My time in Kathmandu always takes quite a bit of adjustment for me. I'm so used to being outside in the woods where it's relatively quiet. The chaos in Kathmandu is like New York on steroids! New York is big and crazy but there is far more order in New York than Kathmandu. I just don't know how to explain the organized chaos here in Nepal! There really aren't any traffic lights or signals to control the movement of traffic and people just kind of drive wherever they want but they make it work! I feel like Nepali drivers are very skilled and have eyes in front and in the back of their heads knowing what's going on at any given moment. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6NXkOlF4-8vKs2AXHRsl4hPRiIDnvbEzX9Vac9fLYggS7y1YRt0GWKmvBF2kroSqtMjxuqJ2r_KmvAf49aIpuXOB7Nt7jrAXtp1b1KNpja4OF1o7pQIbkS5sShIGcKAl3YSGwnCzE6Mw/s640/blogger-image-36728900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6NXkOlF4-8vKs2AXHRsl4hPRiIDnvbEzX9Vac9fLYggS7y1YRt0GWKmvBF2kroSqtMjxuqJ2r_KmvAf49aIpuXOB7Nt7jrAXtp1b1KNpja4OF1o7pQIbkS5sShIGcKAl3YSGwnCzE6Mw/s640/blogger-image-36728900.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUvTqsEeb3B1J7N3axiZr95_MCElN2eppEF9hhJUQyU4m7nIeLqBLJNz3jZc2Xry7WOn4kiXTFsxwLVHEfXmZ1CO_augqKIK5RcJ0PLYmcOIf5eZb6s9HSIYp2xThYhYkOhAajpHiwIE/s640/blogger-image-157583216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUvTqsEeb3B1J7N3axiZr95_MCElN2eppEF9hhJUQyU4m7nIeLqBLJNz3jZc2Xry7WOn4kiXTFsxwLVHEfXmZ1CO_augqKIK5RcJ0PLYmcOIf5eZb6s9HSIYp2xThYhYkOhAajpHiwIE/s640/blogger-image-157583216.jpg"></a></div><b>It's hard to see but there are bunch of people riding on top of the bus and the inside is totally crammed with people. Because India is blockading supplies into Nepal there is a fuel shortage and fewer busses can run routes. The government is now allowing people to ride on top of busses. </b></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-LPFczi_YtVDt7ZEJNHBnP_y2Fn7O4OaMaNvdys6as8DKuqGV0e_j1iHLVdnAZ9gJHJyTtlklaSamFkv_Ra8y48JZoy2ytiT1cSDtekxaxujmKqKRLtgK2vJuaicpyEymQl2cpeqXw-s/s640/blogger-image--1612824098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-LPFczi_YtVDt7ZEJNHBnP_y2Fn7O4OaMaNvdys6as8DKuqGV0e_j1iHLVdnAZ9gJHJyTtlklaSamFkv_Ra8y48JZoy2ytiT1cSDtekxaxujmKqKRLtgK2vJuaicpyEymQl2cpeqXw-s/s640/blogger-image--1612824098.jpg"></a></div><b>Many people lost their homes to the earthquake. Some of them are living in these makeshift tents in Kathmandu. </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div>It was very special for us to spend this day with Tashi and her family because we got to see the inside life of a Nepali citizen. We capped off the evening with a wonderful dinner with Lakpa and Tashi's family, then John and I headed to bed around 9 o'clock. 9 o'clock was actually a late night for us because we've been exhausted and going to bed at 8 PM most nights when we were in the Khumbu Valley (for many reasons). First by 8 o'clock is when the woodstove usually dies down and it's too cold to hang out in the dining area and secondly we've just been so exhausted from so much hiking that the only thing we could do is let our bodies rest. We both went to bed this evening with full bellies of yummy Nepali food and warm feelings from our time with Tashi and her family. No tourist could pay money to get the inside experience we got with Tashi and her family. Thank you Tashi and Lakpa!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07391796852471877399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4887032317474975284.post-61030804149293344802015-12-09T07:06:00.001-08:002015-12-09T07:06:56.186-08:00Total turn around!!! Dec. 9thWow! The weather cleared and we got to truly see Tanboche!<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjoROWJWhyo9aIRCPmcQvUpSJZqa-3YWqp1sCPnxo2PlTmBDsFhHOLjeMojaLXYgkGX0-p_SUEDPyogFz0Dup3iuD3tZOYhqMTU8nZqJeuk1tMekZg_FM5lnbk51wl2KVicbKM3_-vxc/s640/blogger-image--891002547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjoROWJWhyo9aIRCPmcQvUpSJZqa-3YWqp1sCPnxo2PlTmBDsFhHOLjeMojaLXYgkGX0-p_SUEDPyogFz0Dup3iuD3tZOYhqMTU8nZqJeuk1tMekZg_FM5lnbk51wl2KVicbKM3_-vxc/s640/blogger-image--891002547.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Tengboche monestery</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUCmLbmYsvwtikZ85p4EUtudtuIsVYjfae5bdCG90vZP6lRBFRFAW3DJjWXkSk15InDQHtIPg3ebZqO1NlF1IrzGQVBHo6p1ownGc-zovPcMIVQQ738oLYxw59nkTkRpyf7DhdgXx_1C8/s640/blogger-image--1175440832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUCmLbmYsvwtikZ85p4EUtudtuIsVYjfae5bdCG90vZP6lRBFRFAW3DJjWXkSk15InDQHtIPg3ebZqO1NlF1IrzGQVBHo6p1ownGc-zovPcMIVQQ738oLYxw59nkTkRpyf7DhdgXx_1C8/s640/blogger-image--1175440832.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Entrance gate. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1H2nxounUkIMldG-KUg4QirwIk7PWOM9Im0khVKaWti7v_QgETrmA08WMMMUozUFOKVldX4lylL5IyA2yiDJgPoTyE5gBZzwcq0PM1gRFW1tSaGI5U0_ahy85dGQ5doVB4gNPWOgzyKI/s640/blogger-image--464485054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1H2nxounUkIMldG-KUg4QirwIk7PWOM9Im0khVKaWti7v_QgETrmA08WMMMUozUFOKVldX4lylL5IyA2yiDJgPoTyE5gBZzwcq0PM1gRFW1tSaGI5U0_ahy85dGQ5doVB4gNPWOgzyKI/s640/blogger-image--464485054.jpg"></a></div>Stupa with Everest and Lhotse peaks behind. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYj_K5RasJaVJQ8kph43AV_2sMfzVlPITy_c0fBAMl5qx8V51gqZ8qAuwp4xdEl5SBn21ece2-EFViyp0yzZmwmHTJU0wRNESz1W37D2asXb6uzIDM5fQ4pbdq3si-MK7kwBJuxGL3xtc/s640/blogger-image-93752665.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYj_K5RasJaVJQ8kph43AV_2sMfzVlPITy_c0fBAMl5qx8V51gqZ8qAuwp4xdEl5SBn21ece2-EFViyp0yzZmwmHTJU0wRNESz1W37D2asXb6uzIDM5fQ4pbdq3si-MK7kwBJuxGL3xtc/s640/blogger-image-93752665.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Welcome gate to Tengboche. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDTvm33VxeSBsfwDGn4acIyZzTkfZlPKpD6m4fLW6ShztilfEwi1BUo5qoEIQwOn8MR0GAHKKUDHJLGtnYgznEks5cQQfobr-4DyQTVNyIuJmbFKvc6PdpDHphyDKX6GCfbIEyZsMW9A/s640/blogger-image-863830828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDTvm33VxeSBsfwDGn4acIyZzTkfZlPKpD6m4fLW6ShztilfEwi1BUo5qoEIQwOn8MR0GAHKKUDHJLGtnYgznEks5cQQfobr-4DyQTVNyIuJmbFKvc6PdpDHphyDKX6GCfbIEyZsMW9A/s640/blogger-image-863830828.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Ceiling of welcome gate. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggM2qxwco6sGbB3h58Xdh8MOBa3BS7J-bXk3QsmrW0acD0M7CUgnYruhKHvCGWU0e8p7VLebsEwuOstoif2aUIG4X-zAEdtpwcvXqB8XWftao6FTOXp_KWuVy8LJ3soEEyoG8Y8v9V3LY/s640/blogger-image--1830207678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggM2qxwco6sGbB3h58Xdh8MOBa3BS7J-bXk3QsmrW0acD0M7CUgnYruhKHvCGWU0e8p7VLebsEwuOstoif2aUIG4X-zAEdtpwcvXqB8XWftao6FTOXp_KWuVy8LJ3soEEyoG8Y8v9V3LY/s640/blogger-image--1830207678.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Walls of welcome gate. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYh0Qr8IuvpjKsRUxFhpYhTfu3DZGV2N9-G4KanF6BjbKINEkCIdqHSNwZ67XvEBuGrBABF_k76C4BGh_rl_Ro5Vv5gtjEehcda5ZEpAOngTKOXa9VyaLlS5Y42-iP-99KiOoV51uobIc/s640/blogger-image--1895996564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYh0Qr8IuvpjKsRUxFhpYhTfu3DZGV2N9-G4KanF6BjbKINEkCIdqHSNwZ67XvEBuGrBABF_k76C4BGh_rl_Ro5Vv5gtjEehcda5ZEpAOngTKOXa9VyaLlS5Y42-iP-99KiOoV51uobIc/s640/blogger-image--1895996564.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Tashi's lodge and bakery. Tashi and Lakpa were gone to Kathmandu. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ngS8CiXlMXzb_tT69MLs_fmh9amNaoeKHWF1E2obS9E57-d4gqOyaR8k_8tno1pUQes7TfM4blzUMx-2sGqLodiJX22R3X8NaG5wjpwzbpPj26SJvbDIIKZ4-xMT9ZUw6AlUB7qn6d8/s640/blogger-image-179782083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ngS8CiXlMXzb_tT69MLs_fmh9amNaoeKHWF1E2obS9E57-d4gqOyaR8k_8tno1pUQes7TfM4blzUMx-2sGqLodiJX22R3X8NaG5wjpwzbpPj26SJvbDIIKZ4-xMT9ZUw6AlUB7qn6d8/s640/blogger-image-179782083.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Tashi's dog, Miya had puppies 9 days ago. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvwRVLiC1tLFpgsKuaftQ5UuIyx4yAYl65r8KFpcljk9KGee_mCXJ4mtQDXR6t33m9egM3VMMXrXBLoH6AVduJ9p0l5Dhfnjjirqj9ykLfwCeBmrTputhr5ZDz6WOC2NrHhyphenhyphen5eNE6KNl4/s640/blogger-image-1451222932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvwRVLiC1tLFpgsKuaftQ5UuIyx4yAYl65r8KFpcljk9KGee_mCXJ4mtQDXR6t33m9egM3VMMXrXBLoH6AVduJ9p0l5Dhfnjjirqj9ykLfwCeBmrTputhr5ZDz6WOC2NrHhyphenhyphen5eNE6KNl4/s640/blogger-image-1451222932.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Miya feeding her puppies. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3TViOKrrqmCperM2k_dwx4nQes3Ot8oaDm-dTYhMX23vgVV5lJX76BtRjCUOPmF3_63xE-6nV-1i9rTAlEGcrioICxoOj_o1bwVmrqSO5njDsroIpjWQo2lmcohAup6n2Log5QZKl034/s640/blogger-image-760582023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3TViOKrrqmCperM2k_dwx4nQes3Ot8oaDm-dTYhMX23vgVV5lJX76BtRjCUOPmF3_63xE-6nV-1i9rTAlEGcrioICxoOj_o1bwVmrqSO5njDsroIpjWQo2lmcohAup6n2Log5QZKl034/s640/blogger-image-760582023.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Back to Namche but just passed through on our way to Lukla. Long day of hiking!!!</div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07391796852471877399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4887032317474975284.post-49672135575708340642015-12-09T04:48:00.001-08:002015-12-09T04:48:30.982-08:00"Minnesota cold" Day... Dec. 8<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyigfWnZtjuhLEC2AMPMxXcbhh6QhxvQ9T4e_l6dZWlGvsvIAQcr4flKQbm_UkFXW7kUpHpMOxS_bMueUXRiaL_mSabkxAqlIE3E0Dn5k95ef7TD4gU-jkmPBiY0MYRd5SG6xhsdXUbXQ/s640/blogger-image-2145760735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyigfWnZtjuhLEC2AMPMxXcbhh6QhxvQ9T4e_l6dZWlGvsvIAQcr4flKQbm_UkFXW7kUpHpMOxS_bMueUXRiaL_mSabkxAqlIE3E0Dn5k95ef7TD4gU-jkmPBiY0MYRd5SG6xhsdXUbXQ/s640/blogger-image-2145760735.jpg"></a></div><b>Chukhung this morning. </b></div><div><b><br></b></div>We woke up to the sky completely socked in with low and thick clouds. Our visibility was approximately 40 yards. Thick clouds and it was cold because the sun couldn't warm the air and the humidity was high......definitely reminded us both of winter in Minnesota!!! We both looked forward to mostly hiking down hill today but now with the clouds our lack of effort going downhill made it more difficult to stay warm. We froze for the first hour and a half! <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg9Ygsj0e_UtLFFsjBKUsF3TtSZypPRE6uESj19dDM4FyQ6eLkXlYfoIEDfC8saHWhKJXjqw4o-sS2yF33ss0lWj27Y2jjexdoIZ0dhFGrYqezm9xd35XX1dt6FRk2O9emKaFbULC7b3E/s640/blogger-image-1048346231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg9Ygsj0e_UtLFFsjBKUsF3TtSZypPRE6uESj19dDM4FyQ6eLkXlYfoIEDfC8saHWhKJXjqw4o-sS2yF33ss0lWj27Y2jjexdoIZ0dhFGrYqezm9xd35XX1dt6FRk2O9emKaFbULC7b3E/s640/blogger-image-1048346231.jpg"></a></div><b>Lower than tree line!</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIwLBwf7eZiVHYusEFSNVrzoaOCa5xzwXOzKer2dPXNxdrkgUFgM4pAQZVA-llhMcIYPMXI0jqG_wofC_kq9gM4btmiYSujzkir3daxbhWzShHkkihWAlYE65Jw-Ycx9AWqzCgC_YQ7Hw/s640/blogger-image--461500679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIwLBwf7eZiVHYusEFSNVrzoaOCa5xzwXOzKer2dPXNxdrkgUFgM4pAQZVA-llhMcIYPMXI0jqG_wofC_kq9gM4btmiYSujzkir3daxbhWzShHkkihWAlYE65Jw-Ycx9AWqzCgC_YQ7Hw/s640/blogger-image--461500679.jpg"></a></div><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggfb54PgPBdBT7P7i4egOJJIh7YLq6EuwUl4zI901F3100s6Ug5m-m7WqOUma5ra7ffFms4LhxM30cZQn2Esydegs4a2DFcIKMuXvFfqSRi2OPjngNQv5XX6lBv1QPO6t7Od3ysPYysXk/s640/blogger-image--1399333825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggfb54PgPBdBT7P7i4egOJJIh7YLq6EuwUl4zI901F3100s6Ug5m-m7WqOUma5ra7ffFms4LhxM30cZQn2Esydegs4a2DFcIKMuXvFfqSRi2OPjngNQv5XX6lBv1QPO6t7Od3ysPYysXk/s640/blogger-image--1399333825.jpg"></a></div>Buddhist passageway on the trail. </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDoyo3WiFzRLnNKvc1D_AFyR8dxSIbv6lZnF4AqZheT766CLPzaQ8qEF2tMyfzUg1ZFx8tHJckOYJ1FdYrxTe0dCzBJhTSVca8PwF_RiBaiBgbXnidTeRaLFaaTVXXbj-WOy9AngioWVs/s640/blogger-image-365094206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDoyo3WiFzRLnNKvc1D_AFyR8dxSIbv6lZnF4AqZheT766CLPzaQ8qEF2tMyfzUg1ZFx8tHJckOYJ1FdYrxTe0dCzBJhTSVca8PwF_RiBaiBgbXnidTeRaLFaaTVXXbj-WOy9AngioWVs/s640/blogger-image-365094206.jpg"></a></div>Ceiling inside the passageway. </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVapIZSi3Mpetr0KDmXxT7Rqj3AABkejUqmt1J_dY-JAqrADjqD8_ad71z_0PVq-3PKwDvF9ZrM_B8-elknuchvCYXnZVaNMh1dpi6e4T9I84IADtd6UghzPDSAnQMr67t0nnqsQD7fj0/s640/blogger-image--2017852174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVapIZSi3Mpetr0KDmXxT7Rqj3AABkejUqmt1J_dY-JAqrADjqD8_ad71z_0PVq-3PKwDvF9ZrM_B8-elknuchvCYXnZVaNMh1dpi6e4T9I84IADtd6UghzPDSAnQMr67t0nnqsQD7fj0/s640/blogger-image--2017852174.jpg"></a></div>Stupa</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div>Hiking in the clouds made the terrain appear mystical. Our goal was to hike to Tengboche (3860m/12,664') nestled on top of an isolated ridge overlooking the entire valley. Tengboche in the Kumbu region is well known for their monestery. Tourists are free to join the monks in their ceremonies offered multiple times a day. We got to Tengboche in time to join the 4:00 ceremony. The exterior grounds of the monestery are ornate and brilliant! The room where we observed their ceremony/meditation was overwhelming with colorful detailed paintings on the walls and ceiling! At the front and center was a giant Buddha shrine with instruments including horns, drums and cymbals. Cameras were not allowed in the temple so you will have to use your imagination!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUOcFg5fZHkm2Kfb-WJRo_r3B5x8TsQmCIn__3_LPiu1yZS27IPe3Kr6UesYXu6ejO5c2WVoghUlJ971jmk83tAkpeAeMu-UjLxVu1m77YsN5DgwEINZwKTSlNeclG8AsUETee3Zfx0M/s640/blogger-image-1380232641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUOcFg5fZHkm2Kfb-WJRo_r3B5x8TsQmCIn__3_LPiu1yZS27IPe3Kr6UesYXu6ejO5c2WVoghUlJ971jmk83tAkpeAeMu-UjLxVu1m77YsN5DgwEINZwKTSlNeclG8AsUETee3Zfx0M/s640/blogger-image-1380232641.jpg"></a></div><b>Entrance of the monestery</b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRzUeGS3RlVQ_MrTyvZKMZbrBehUub4JMOmsS9TBCCU3igrs2kpdoSEY2poji6bVScADGxBm1n2X9f0vGgdD9i4a82HIh6Ph1d5YTkChbN4Hc_Ecuk5h31pVmMRvmAx2C2WqngWr4ISIw/s640/blogger-image--1189067912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRzUeGS3RlVQ_MrTyvZKMZbrBehUub4JMOmsS9TBCCU3igrs2kpdoSEY2poji6bVScADGxBm1n2X9f0vGgdD9i4a82HIh6Ph1d5YTkChbN4Hc_Ecuk5h31pVmMRvmAx2C2WqngWr4ISIw/s640/blogger-image--1189067912.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-js0DpTg6XEDV_8Kiz1djx45Uvzz3Cl_DyCvxDfBpMQ1gduIDdwSj9qaM4-RF_czGdNahuljdgpFMVdswPZLkhZFkRMp33B7kvVqwWEzFm3qUptwjFxBcHg4dAwzPFg9fggUbyUTqiSk/s640/blogger-image-453264179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-js0DpTg6XEDV_8Kiz1djx45Uvzz3Cl_DyCvxDfBpMQ1gduIDdwSj9qaM4-RF_czGdNahuljdgpFMVdswPZLkhZFkRMp33B7kvVqwWEzFm3qUptwjFxBcHg4dAwzPFg9fggUbyUTqiSk/s640/blogger-image-453264179.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeoAX0-SZcl69g0RULZHJSb4m-S9lw9L7LLKPpqkvsdeg9Kii7kv-whmernBB1kw8hX8XpimnH4GG_xVc2ivLjIWquxieLV86QheHq3z5GIz4LWPM9wHxB74eHtN4pNYZlRaB7lbojEis/s640/blogger-image--1171140012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeoAX0-SZcl69g0RULZHJSb4m-S9lw9L7LLKPpqkvsdeg9Kii7kv-whmernBB1kw8hX8XpimnH4GG_xVc2ivLjIWquxieLV86QheHq3z5GIz4LWPM9wHxB74eHtN4pNYZlRaB7lbojEis/s640/blogger-image--1171140012.jpg"></a></div></div></div><br></b></div><div>Let's hope for clear weather tomorrow as we head back to Namche Bizzare! Oh by the way.... We are back in Colorado elevation after 12 days above 14,000' and we are 7 days without a shower!!! My feet are notoriously stinky and we both chuckled when the guy sitting next to me in the monestery left after a few minutes of the ceremony. We both looked at each other and were thinking the same thing!!!! John: "You should figure out a way to harness the powerful smell of your feet and sell it to millitary powers around the world as a deterrent!" </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07391796852471877399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4887032317474975284.post-18379786532805801192015-12-09T04:36:00.001-08:002015-12-09T04:36:41.386-08:00Saving the best for last! Dec. 7<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The village of Chukhung</span><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </b><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">(4730m/15,518') is a couple hours off the main trail that most tourists trek. We have managed to spend less time in the more heavily traveled areas. Lobuche, Everest Basecamp, Gorak Shep, and Kala Patthar are all heavily traveled areas which is fun when you get to meet new and interesting people but the downfall is when tea houses are full and loud, and you have to share the major vistas with others. Again this is not my typical backcountry backpack trip of solitude but rather an amazing cultural experience.....and I love it!</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVszi04mO0NZiSrHEg2z-ZA3EfSOuHM3wEVZKMlJs7ydIOm1da73PVG0Y6RbnPljcuLXVc9oK5YQReNnSYFVPoh3kLgPumDLF_xXwEM9PchgupBo4CYQjYgR5OQ29UTYCbDFTT7IZuWcQ/s640/blogger-image--156728188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVszi04mO0NZiSrHEg2z-ZA3EfSOuHM3wEVZKMlJs7ydIOm1da73PVG0Y6RbnPljcuLXVc9oK5YQReNnSYFVPoh3kLgPumDLF_xXwEM9PchgupBo4CYQjYgR5OQ29UTYCbDFTT7IZuWcQ/s640/blogger-image--156728188.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Top of Chukhung Ri with Lhotse towering over.</b></div></div><br></div><div>Today we climbed Chukhung Ri (5550m/18,208') (and remember "Ri" means "soft peak"....ha!). Our total elevation gain was 2690'. We had no idea that this peak and vista would be our favorite of this entire trek! We had the mountain to ourselves and found the perfect place to sit just out of the wind but in the sun to keep us warm. We sat on top of the peak for over two hours eating our grilled yak cheese sandwich lunch and absorbing the incredible view of so many huge peaks!!! These peaks may have not been Everest but these peaks were incredibly interesting and more majestic because of the glaciated flows "melting" down to the deep valleys. Wow! Two hours just flew by like an academy award-winning movie looking at the fourth, fifth, and sixth highest peaks in the world!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYTWOjtjJYH05inWR6zNHpsKhMo__jPonRAcU1Ebg1hiauPDcTLYX8Mql7Xrs9CXE6b5Fw7k6Um25U2EaJkqrHBTl8fJ7Wg-7nmkFhavTEEdKfSNSmIVgXqNLRcScdNV2eo0kSq-g-n0o/s640/blogger-image--1685468339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYTWOjtjJYH05inWR6zNHpsKhMo__jPonRAcU1Ebg1hiauPDcTLYX8Mql7Xrs9CXE6b5Fw7k6Um25U2EaJkqrHBTl8fJ7Wg-7nmkFhavTEEdKfSNSmIVgXqNLRcScdNV2eo0kSq-g-n0o/s640/blogger-image--1685468339.jpg"></a></div><b>Panoramic view from the top!</b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5HXabUtb4T-sgQ_cRGTm9H0r3yAYq2s54dD7HUlIuaGhLnAEzVXSFTRQElwvM1gDoIuDBVDfXhV4p52eZM8Ux6bL796FR8ePhPRvtnDKl2bbLXdvdGWkHjSBN34pRo2HnhDAsalktJo/s640/blogger-image-749985819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5HXabUtb4T-sgQ_cRGTm9H0r3yAYq2s54dD7HUlIuaGhLnAEzVXSFTRQElwvM1gDoIuDBVDfXhV4p52eZM8Ux6bL796FR8ePhPRvtnDKl2bbLXdvdGWkHjSBN34pRo2HnhDAsalktJo/s640/blogger-image-749985819.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">John with views of Island Peak in front, Makalu (27,805') behind Island, a peak we are not sure about to the right by itself. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwyQRI3cBZFZ6wrjCtiLLAQwyGZMWDK_ogx4UywG4rW1co0GKtStRXeb-y15D_Q5tUt0uYjYv3iV4ZZ2x8bQN_l6SaFoLuZ_ZJmT-1BXFAu4SWmxpR1Qbjm7nzcp8GGQdEOR8IGfQ_Dw/s640/blogger-image--788471398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwyQRI3cBZFZ6wrjCtiLLAQwyGZMWDK_ogx4UywG4rW1co0GKtStRXeb-y15D_Q5tUt0uYjYv3iV4ZZ2x8bQN_l6SaFoLuZ_ZJmT-1BXFAu4SWmxpR1Qbjm7nzcp8GGQdEOR8IGfQ_Dw/s640/blogger-image--788471398.jpg"></a></div>The ridge up Chukhung Ri. </div><br></b></div><div>Tomorrow we will move back down into the rat race again and head to Tengboche (3860m/12,660') and hopefully experience the serenity of the famous Buddhist temple. I do have to say that the business of other tourists is extremely low because of the after effects of the earthquake and the fact that this is late season for trekking. I cannot imagine what it would be like if it was mainstream trekking season! From here on out we will be decending over the next few days to Lukla where we began our trek. So it should get a little warmer and significantly easier on our bodies (except for my knees....darn knees!).</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDTEWUPbO5qd67m33z3rlHB3j_6Tlyo3_ENsandoZhpNRhkbEChcqS0JlaI0oQkwJiR_iSN_4XmGcTAUdAoKOBFpVPvL7yuDp5Rs3Qu7FWnHjR0d9REym2EMFE6rSO8eGZiQYVvoxx6ig/s640/blogger-image--921318251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDTEWUPbO5qd67m33z3rlHB3j_6Tlyo3_ENsandoZhpNRhkbEChcqS0JlaI0oQkwJiR_iSN_4XmGcTAUdAoKOBFpVPvL7yuDp5Rs3Qu7FWnHjR0d9REym2EMFE6rSO8eGZiQYVvoxx6ig/s640/blogger-image--921318251.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Tribute to my lil' Lhotse in front of Lhotse Peak (8414m/27,597'). </b></div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07391796852471877399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4887032317474975284.post-16906132212314038142015-12-09T04:31:00.001-08:002015-12-09T04:31:05.990-08:00What??? More oxygen??? Dec. 6<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23KXhV1_HmKdBMV3FV3nAegnbwgOYou-5hUa82Vura3AFgKOiKpuu5eKx3_3jukVp2kPnbNUgwGq2t3OWCjltShJepmoGayV07aM8tZgL0yIBdXEHDz3lG1JXM7ohCF99O81GIPwzwgA/s640/blogger-image--1179035974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23KXhV1_HmKdBMV3FV3nAegnbwgOYou-5hUa82Vura3AFgKOiKpuu5eKx3_3jukVp2kPnbNUgwGq2t3OWCjltShJepmoGayV07aM8tZgL0yIBdXEHDz3lG1JXM7ohCF99O81GIPwzwgA/s640/blogger-image--1179035974.jpg"></a></div><b>Using the power of the sun to boil their water. </b></div><div><br></div>Another bluebird sky day but still a little chilly! On our way to Dingboche (4410m/14,468') we passed a climber's memorial paying tribute to all the climbers who lost their lives on the mountain. <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6FqeakRrOpOpv5XT4ZwXkH7vYgbTJ5T00e6et2sVGHiMnF97fZrBl_MEmC8cdtOOjlioc8ZZ46rE_FOBXIwgFW6r6D1rzpFTy0wJwqhqzFStfvw7_lLeIBXsxUwC7Z4tkx2jaYV2mCuY/s640/blogger-image--26694100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6FqeakRrOpOpv5XT4ZwXkH7vYgbTJ5T00e6et2sVGHiMnF97fZrBl_MEmC8cdtOOjlioc8ZZ46rE_FOBXIwgFW6r6D1rzpFTy0wJwqhqzFStfvw7_lLeIBXsxUwC7Z4tkx2jaYV2mCuY/s640/blogger-image--26694100.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQClbdKvGVNeUoEPrEvdtw7RuqGn_RDe0Q6cafz53OjsnCXU52icGjcM6oE9NwFmkQK4bdH4UioMGovnuhTU1KlchnF4XNJqQjas671emfhAW0E5rMUnIVGpjZsQqv1MANcJc3eDLszOA/s640/blogger-image-6979533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQClbdKvGVNeUoEPrEvdtw7RuqGn_RDe0Q6cafz53OjsnCXU52icGjcM6oE9NwFmkQK4bdH4UioMGovnuhTU1KlchnF4XNJqQjas671emfhAW0E5rMUnIVGpjZsQqv1MANcJc3eDLszOA/s640/blogger-image-6979533.jpg"></a></div>Memorials on the ridge. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgf5kjv2UCvg6eH7IY1TLM_O3q1vvWO7hzQY6bcqT0PFim94oNtwFDnvI2NdFxdn5AVB3NUl9qzuKesmb4rrRrmCjZR_Dzti3PbPk9bD9M4TJKWHzLBae3TS29smo7PNFbFpeRyASe70U/s640/blogger-image-180450719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgf5kjv2UCvg6eH7IY1TLM_O3q1vvWO7hzQY6bcqT0PFim94oNtwFDnvI2NdFxdn5AVB3NUl9qzuKesmb4rrRrmCjZR_Dzti3PbPk9bD9M4TJKWHzLBae3TS29smo7PNFbFpeRyASe70U/s640/blogger-image-180450719.jpg"></a></div></div><br></div><div>We also acquired a few furry friends that I enjoyed more than John. Of course I am a sucker for fine furry friends with paws! I miss my Walter and Winston. <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRi0HhSuRUbtaFqc5ZZLGQEwjIQf2KR6ruc4Jt-LIpXCa9-BpsKI4FIrMHdGHVRBHfrgZAPyFJNaKsxA2UV417rpYBSpuV_obhGFHDnIzMF_zVGrTmpQhY2mv28R6TafuUfSeaqKv_MAg/s640/blogger-image-1440555266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRi0HhSuRUbtaFqc5ZZLGQEwjIQf2KR6ruc4Jt-LIpXCa9-BpsKI4FIrMHdGHVRBHfrgZAPyFJNaKsxA2UV417rpYBSpuV_obhGFHDnIzMF_zVGrTmpQhY2mv28R6TafuUfSeaqKv_MAg/s640/blogger-image-1440555266.jpg"></a></div><b>We named him Cholatse. </b></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ADjzntmGGETgTFBd3hccMWR6Q48FGjIa1CcM-0pODl3Rj3zeMpkraSO6bGNBG3Pfj12zIv0SXuyoIUhWfCx2L_xLAzfNb5XjPuJzq1HXOMQuSuU4h8CEo0X0_eTUlTK-pOasXhSTJ4U/s640/blogger-image-2109950399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ADjzntmGGETgTFBd3hccMWR6Q48FGjIa1CcM-0pODl3Rj3zeMpkraSO6bGNBG3Pfj12zIv0SXuyoIUhWfCx2L_xLAzfNb5XjPuJzq1HXOMQuSuU4h8CEo0X0_eTUlTK-pOasXhSTJ4U/s640/blogger-image-2109950399.jpg"></a></div><b>Stupa above Dingboche </b></div><div>As we approached Dingboche we left the Khumbu valley and entered the Chhukung valley punctuated with many glaciers on all sides! Most of the hike to Dingboche was down hill and now we had to pay the piper and start climbing our 320 m/1049' to the village of Chhukung (4730m/15,518'). </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh23CA-Ylebggb3ZW4YJNWPwShMRMNiJWtAX7ant2Fn7l3TY1YdHMhBeI6Y7hI8XxqA6_ex3YeUJbM3cnKfy_JPOqnaQenT8FEmeOfxHjKtaaTlTAy01koAsbjjRgWUTEwKrhGMs3Z4VoU/s640/blogger-image-606094257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh23CA-Ylebggb3ZW4YJNWPwShMRMNiJWtAX7ant2Fn7l3TY1YdHMhBeI6Y7hI8XxqA6_ex3YeUJbM3cnKfy_JPOqnaQenT8FEmeOfxHjKtaaTlTAy01koAsbjjRgWUTEwKrhGMs3Z4VoU/s640/blogger-image-606094257.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>We will be sleeping much lower than we have been sleeping lately. Chhukung is surrounded by dramatic peaks including Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and a fluted ridge off of Ombigaichan. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2TkLNJuJaaSmj8fyx3Zq8_gXdtYkPiPPRCk7pm3jVfslR_vvo_E0r34B7Iqv7WSFFX-mAGYOE0LNRI_LgQMqIokQW8NCQQWegWX_IpB6ZFWhcIhbhU33EQzlL8xtCfx75RO_cbWuAgA/s640/blogger-image-200098347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2TkLNJuJaaSmj8fyx3Zq8_gXdtYkPiPPRCk7pm3jVfslR_vvo_E0r34B7Iqv7WSFFX-mAGYOE0LNRI_LgQMqIokQW8NCQQWegWX_IpB6ZFWhcIhbhU33EQzlL8xtCfx75RO_cbWuAgA/s640/blogger-image-200098347.jpg"></a></div><b>Fluted ridge and the Chhukung glacier. </b></div><div>Our sunset was heart warming despite the cold temperatures!</div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp3bHwF8SXxyvfUSB6MZb6HRpfN0Ua_BGvFKkyxy1QtA7mOfMnnZ5KtJ2uIbZu0PfEKNFc2Jpb9NuAoOgbLVMLD49ePYsW7OSTjIdjMCU_RCkWo02IK6-EwBQwW9Q6qV1GvmuLeqgVF8U/s640/blogger-image-784879674.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp3bHwF8SXxyvfUSB6MZb6HRpfN0Ua_BGvFKkyxy1QtA7mOfMnnZ5KtJ2uIbZu0PfEKNFc2Jpb9NuAoOgbLVMLD49ePYsW7OSTjIdjMCU_RCkWo02IK6-EwBQwW9Q6qV1GvmuLeqgVF8U/s640/blogger-image-784879674.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07391796852471877399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4887032317474975284.post-50711474971654746702015-12-09T04:24:00.001-08:002015-12-09T04:24:09.090-08:00Giant Turdsicle and a Tinkle Ice Rink... (Dec. 5)<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbJCvhFvp4OvgrBJGlhSDsC6zYSZQk7R0oG_qr9jeVtX5GxlvkayzrMb7LCa9knl32kLgbtC8ZzCMskPjNy1E07M9PzSo_OS-h871TklgqNN0SB054E53ZEyAkUOUt9052_YcGBTfa9vY/s640/blogger-image-1761753603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbJCvhFvp4OvgrBJGlhSDsC6zYSZQk7R0oG_qr9jeVtX5GxlvkayzrMb7LCa9knl32kLgbtC8ZzCMskPjNy1E07M9PzSo_OS-h871TklgqNN0SB054E53ZEyAkUOUt9052_YcGBTfa9vY/s640/blogger-image-1761753603.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Our night at Gorak Shep was uneventful except for the NASTY bathrooms! I think the title of this entry speaks for itself describing both bathrooms! I refused to use them and strategically planned my tinkles by going when we were on our hikes and going after dark outside in the cold surrounded my mules in what I call the "sandbox." Gorak Shep is located on the edge of a huge sand pit that would make an excellent sand volleyball pot!<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRB5dQufvh4go27b4wHwiz2-d7sQ3KZ0b_4FLDNFu2-n7SlE_FTTWBvzAA_PBFEfpuGgt0HGobrqmXR3yx9-VSA7B5_9TGYS9z4i_KL7IFHTnzOptz15rVs2NvWCPerzGt0WIHa6DUYDA/s640/blogger-image-946698270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRB5dQufvh4go27b4wHwiz2-d7sQ3KZ0b_4FLDNFu2-n7SlE_FTTWBvzAA_PBFEfpuGgt0HGobrqmXR3yx9-VSA7B5_9TGYS9z4i_KL7IFHTnzOptz15rVs2NvWCPerzGt0WIHa6DUYDA/s640/blogger-image-946698270.jpg"></a></div><b>Gorak Shep </b></div><div><br></div><div>From Gorak Shep we headed farther up the Khumbu Glacier to the famous Everest Basecamp (5364m/17,598'). Because this time of the year isn't the climbing season there weren't any tents at the base (and I'm still trying to figure out where they would put the tents among all the rocks and ice) There was however a commemorative monument for this special place. For me I wanted to visit this place to pay tribute to the many souls that have been lost on the mountain and at Basecamp. I respect their sense of adventure and willingness to push themselves. It takes a lot of tenacity and commitment to just prepare yourself for Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest). </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9JbXpy1zlXbxApP4b0BFxIoaZA065Uh4zg_KjxdTlWRAw7SDyU94H3rz_qFV8kxCTaOli-ptflQN2x2fbAGSP9XRp-WatnSHco3YyWqmWlk8Yq85tW7NhIid3NNgwImUp4sbQE4WiVO4/s640/blogger-image--895252605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9JbXpy1zlXbxApP4b0BFxIoaZA065Uh4zg_KjxdTlWRAw7SDyU94H3rz_qFV8kxCTaOli-ptflQN2x2fbAGSP9XRp-WatnSHco3YyWqmWlk8Yq85tW7NhIid3NNgwImUp4sbQE4WiVO4/s640/blogger-image--895252605.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMMG6_JifrumiwKX6RFV202tFvWJagquJHU6ttOWp4TaKcfvXHbQM0_KXYs2c420L9Z24QqwVhcqWLf_VqCLeshA0EePRMNpOWWIyKabrbVhnjRvkVsGKZVPRfDqLjvy4KmYGdJsuzP_A/s640/blogger-image--1405954090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMMG6_JifrumiwKX6RFV202tFvWJagquJHU6ttOWp4TaKcfvXHbQM0_KXYs2c420L9Z24QqwVhcqWLf_VqCLeshA0EePRMNpOWWIyKabrbVhnjRvkVsGKZVPRfDqLjvy4KmYGdJsuzP_A/s640/blogger-image--1405954090.jpg"></a></div><b>Glacier/ice falls off of Nuptse</b></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92lynJ28EV5288bbVVDgG01VM9p9kB6DF8CptNsC4jLze4Lh6Ik04GS-07Y54LlzrdnvJAQGijlCGwSI0cxhrdlqcRMHkTTPbzyYMZHo7M-96_vqVoP1fsykg8VtZiMgpxX5SE6tjBe8/s640/blogger-image--1900878006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92lynJ28EV5288bbVVDgG01VM9p9kB6DF8CptNsC4jLze4Lh6Ik04GS-07Y54LlzrdnvJAQGijlCGwSI0cxhrdlqcRMHkTTPbzyYMZHo7M-96_vqVoP1fsykg8VtZiMgpxX5SE6tjBe8/s640/blogger-image--1900878006.jpg"></a></div><b>Got balance? At what point will this rock go?</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs-zi9TAMtCZG7h8nec6WwGIEt_CtTGS6Rs38BdDKN3XKcW1fs1CsxueAlmE3GYhP2s_CaBDvsCsFpTgRUEtnxxVb-_mqrJuzotzl3oQ_1riOsM7EJrsCuXogu-qsVKCyKDFoO_t_Yqfw/s640/blogger-image-427942176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs-zi9TAMtCZG7h8nec6WwGIEt_CtTGS6Rs38BdDKN3XKcW1fs1CsxueAlmE3GYhP2s_CaBDvsCsFpTgRUEtnxxVb-_mqrJuzotzl3oQ_1riOsM7EJrsCuXogu-qsVKCyKDFoO_t_Yqfw/s640/blogger-image-427942176.jpg"></a></div>It's crazy how the layer of rocks prevent the ice from melting!</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj6MYN4KnXRf-hQvjTjDNUUdq4gk22AEHK3YoJ3DtW3YbprFQ_blZYeJpycFXv81gYEBIIWohJ8UVoyyeAEYeWkQR5-yW0AAKo5G_m-zdE8mnax76cHECdLaJ6wai4olNp6p04YmhlP4Y/s640/blogger-image-541143610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj6MYN4KnXRf-hQvjTjDNUUdq4gk22AEHK3YoJ3DtW3YbprFQ_blZYeJpycFXv81gYEBIIWohJ8UVoyyeAEYeWkQR5-yW0AAKo5G_m-zdE8mnax76cHECdLaJ6wai4olNp6p04YmhlP4Y/s640/blogger-image-541143610.jpg"></a></div>We just couldn't get enough of Nuptse!</div></b></div><div><br></div><div>We enjoyed our return hike to Gorak Shep looking at the incredible ice flows coming off the mountains and down the valley. It's amazimg to see them up close!</div><div><br></div><div>After a quick lunch at our lodge (while my bladder was getting to the point of explosion) we decided to hike back down to Lobuche in hopes of finding a better place to spend the night. And that we did along with other fun travelers from the United States, Chile, China, and Great Britain! We enjoyed sharing stories by the fire and John and I enjoyed a "decent" bathroom!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07391796852471877399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4887032317474975284.post-39276939049157378282015-12-09T04:20:00.001-08:002015-12-09T04:20:27.160-08:00Ok....just a little farther......and again? Dec. 4We woke up to another bluebird sky in Dzongla after a much needed rest day. Our plan was to walk to Lobuche (4910m/16,108') and assess how John was feeling. <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4VbcZPVnxyRqGOYnRNn3SMr-E4VQ6vRBc8xMu08iNz1gjL2vQdUz9BvMLzIUFTeWmFM4NACD2fi8QTvVm38eokC-B36ng9A3JvqdNqWb8tGoKLe8UEpQfozviBvy6JcD7m2pJQbwU7c0/s640/blogger-image--269578414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4VbcZPVnxyRqGOYnRNn3SMr-E4VQ6vRBc8xMu08iNz1gjL2vQdUz9BvMLzIUFTeWmFM4NACD2fi8QTvVm38eokC-B36ng9A3JvqdNqWb8tGoKLe8UEpQfozviBvy6JcD7m2pJQbwU7c0/s640/blogger-image--269578414.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Cholatse</b></div><br></div><div>This section of the trail takes us from one drainage to another drainage with new mountain views of Nuptse peak (7861m), Lhotse peak (8414m)(and name of my former sweet doggie), and of course, Mt Everest (8848m) the "roof of the world." </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_30KETBnzq2sWZRuBMz4mxb0KKKP7YF61kSjayHEV0F2t0Jw_3KCryCHWTX_MSvOV5i2VTFUO80FAltR1KnWGE805Cv_95tVxmxeI8K2D8WlgRqxnR535Q0k_bHbp_EWvzVHRHfWwqbA/s640/blogger-image-563954840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_30KETBnzq2sWZRuBMz4mxb0KKKP7YF61kSjayHEV0F2t0Jw_3KCryCHWTX_MSvOV5i2VTFUO80FAltR1KnWGE805Cv_95tVxmxeI8K2D8WlgRqxnR535Q0k_bHbp_EWvzVHRHfWwqbA/s640/blogger-image-563954840.jpg"></a></div><b>I am pointing to Lhotse. I miss my pooch. Nuptse is to the left of Lhotse. </b></div><div><br></div><div>We enjoyed our last views of Cholatse and Cho La pass and were welcomed by the Khumbu glacier valley! After a wonderful lunch of Sherpa Stew (noodles and veggies) we decided to push on to the village of Gorak Shep (5140m/16,863'). Walking up the Khumbu valley was like walking on the moon crossing glacial moraines and picking through Boulder fields.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9_34xWp1_qLzRapBK1kP_4jrwmwyzxLUCEhldVlvyT-LQ_eNnCCoVQEEedTkCamUC-hR2nB7n79Rjhcffd_JdJhbyNhjoMcPSrREk5e2LDvEw3TWlyZG208Q1avCjZ0Pk7_XjZqV758/s640/blogger-image--2093722053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9_34xWp1_qLzRapBK1kP_4jrwmwyzxLUCEhldVlvyT-LQ_eNnCCoVQEEedTkCamUC-hR2nB7n79Rjhcffd_JdJhbyNhjoMcPSrREk5e2LDvEw3TWlyZG208Q1avCjZ0Pk7_XjZqV758/s640/blogger-image--2093722053.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Glacial moraine with Nuptse in the background. </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="font-weight: bold; clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXnz35TZblEfePoyBmsVpH9DEh8OwMD2j1QLCOLdCw8b2hmkogDlu777pL68Nc_IJ45MhN-GVK2xr56aUcuYAklsbhhSD0gQgDWMnm9Y-divV8f7yUuuJdLoF1YjKeubWDDk46sr2ECY8/s640/blogger-image-1039101822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXnz35TZblEfePoyBmsVpH9DEh8OwMD2j1QLCOLdCw8b2hmkogDlu777pL68Nc_IJ45MhN-GVK2xr56aUcuYAklsbhhSD0gQgDWMnm9Y-divV8f7yUuuJdLoF1YjKeubWDDk46sr2ECY8/s640/blogger-image-1039101822.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Khumbu glacier</div></div><br></div><div> We arrived Gorak Shep around 3 PM and decided to try and climb Kala Patthar (550m/16,863') for the infamous sunset views of Lhotse, Nuptse, aaaaaand Everest! We were exhausted and this was definitely a push after the hike from Dzongla but this was our chance at the sunset experience! </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPKNYBzF-K2nnDL6IvPyWREgJSvITmXrdRzoPP0eSW47pkEC2Kvahv3cfB2WiNuvbVNhGWHvsaPMmCnVxdtvbZu3bBBkBWXzAC4hmQr5Slqbh2eGzrXK1j_nTVo0SsxfmcAofIe8yjgg/s640/blogger-image-462874442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPKNYBzF-K2nnDL6IvPyWREgJSvITmXrdRzoPP0eSW47pkEC2Kvahv3cfB2WiNuvbVNhGWHvsaPMmCnVxdtvbZu3bBBkBWXzAC4hmQr5Slqbh2eGzrXK1j_nTVo0SsxfmcAofIe8yjgg/s640/blogger-image-462874442.jpg"></a></div><b>Gorak Shep with the trail going up Kala Patthar in the background. You cannot see the summit of Kala Patthar in the background. </b></div><div><div class="separator" style="font-weight: bold; clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqc53K8ZGp9SaoZoOt5Fsln9XKeOcN8rAf8mY9KZI7Fd0pqAgDh1InIeIXXf4xMKpWRaVQ47DGQ-gVbWEOZ43nbLaHwXYRyi8BsaHTlWYU6Vfi_DcL1tWW74xSlaygWrK5VaMRBG0Td8Q/s640/blogger-image-2107094696.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqc53K8ZGp9SaoZoOt5Fsln9XKeOcN8rAf8mY9KZI7Fd0pqAgDh1InIeIXXf4xMKpWRaVQ47DGQ-gVbWEOZ43nbLaHwXYRyi8BsaHTlWYU6Vfi_DcL1tWW74xSlaygWrK5VaMRBG0Td8Q/s640/blogger-image-2107094696.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Everest on left and Nuptse on right. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhahTYHzuL-a2Tlxlp-CfuLD0Lha2eIFN52fLF800igrGQE9S9l_A9OErJUls_GNRen_xNwOpl4F1wyamGtUrfbBpbztSLux6Bjjz_WAXAJVrgTZ3DZvFW-TEXbR_aKqARvAbWDZEpyNss/s640/blogger-image-64888927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhahTYHzuL-a2Tlxlp-CfuLD0Lha2eIFN52fLF800igrGQE9S9l_A9OErJUls_GNRen_xNwOpl4F1wyamGtUrfbBpbztSLux6Bjjz_WAXAJVrgTZ3DZvFW-TEXbR_aKqARvAbWDZEpyNss/s640/blogger-image-64888927.jpg"></a></div><b>Top of Kala Patthar. </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="font-weight: bold; clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCtppjq6xr0NBXn0IlvQLLSMGFNw45ibjfCxPcUw1KEMrunhj4jaSA-8ZIEmTtKFUAfzd-glunRq6fJk0ZK4r6Gak2_aC1-RmiM4e7OlOA1DhtpPihh-eLAdgQoAFlk1p_bOldKPPee6s/s640/blogger-image-155888540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCtppjq6xr0NBXn0IlvQLLSMGFNw45ibjfCxPcUw1KEMrunhj4jaSA-8ZIEmTtKFUAfzd-glunRq6fJk0ZK4r6Gak2_aC1-RmiM4e7OlOA1DhtpPihh-eLAdgQoAFlk1p_bOldKPPee6s/s640/blogger-image-155888540.jpg"></a></div>I wish my phone could do this sunset some justice. :(</div><br></div><div>After the breath taking views and freezing our fanny's off we descended the 1,344 feet back down to Gorak Shep in the dark. The Stars were amazing! Waiting at the lodge was our pre-ordered meal of potatoes, veggies, egg, and yak cheese AND some other familiar travelers we have been running into periodically throughout the trip. It was awesome to see familiar faces and share stories of the last few days with eachother!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07391796852471877399noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4887032317474975284.post-40816786887701568242015-12-03T01:50:00.001-08:002015-12-03T01:50:25.529-08:00Just in the nick of time!!! Dec. 3We must be lucky! One of the things locals told us about Cho La pass is that we shouldn't think about going over it after it snows. Well, guess what happened a few hours after we crossed????<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8xK-ylywocniTIxL-0Or_NyHn5UqFUOGDuaXPdBONw4LsZEYOcj3IVvn4rFcHOutqGD602UG1ftr5FGJKy8YtJhXN2q_pEDircrjnGBpYhHDQ8m9ijmwuYelcUdxfZnfLysiG52ACfoo/s640/blogger-image-516821583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8xK-ylywocniTIxL-0Or_NyHn5UqFUOGDuaXPdBONw4LsZEYOcj3IVvn4rFcHOutqGD602UG1ftr5FGJKy8YtJhXN2q_pEDircrjnGBpYhHDQ8m9ijmwuYelcUdxfZnfLysiG52ACfoo/s640/blogger-image-516821583.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Sunrise panoramic at the village of Dzongla. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_juUNzm4VVFjEGzXWfWi_0v9Q0dGIxQR4_5gMabDiQa331oaNgbTT6EiwqqJjLU8YSLhbrBc9oqYVfOhItRiasMJe84PxkFxKkdeOIakBz4N7jhlLZLD8ZjkBjSqvCpvBFqDRK1cBO8/s640/blogger-image-418633750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_juUNzm4VVFjEGzXWfWi_0v9Q0dGIxQR4_5gMabDiQa331oaNgbTT6EiwqqJjLU8YSLhbrBc9oqYVfOhItRiasMJe84PxkFxKkdeOIakBz4N7jhlLZLD8ZjkBjSqvCpvBFqDRK1cBO8/s640/blogger-image-418633750.jpg"></a></div>A yak admiring Ama Dablam. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkTYM0uFwTridSgzO3uNKqhAIwe8xE2F6VR9UcbVOGVG4Lp5bqT_R6ElweK1gTFm5cU-eTKzoCNlgnkWMcYrT2SkUHYMIB4v5KxNQiT2P9WUH0jy7_38r9d3bUlEwAgW6E0Doqo64V9b4/s640/blogger-image-477367030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkTYM0uFwTridSgzO3uNKqhAIwe8xE2F6VR9UcbVOGVG4Lp5bqT_R6ElweK1gTFm5cU-eTKzoCNlgnkWMcYrT2SkUHYMIB4v5KxNQiT2P9WUH0jy7_38r9d3bUlEwAgW6E0Doqo64V9b4/s640/blogger-image-477367030.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Lodge mates from Australia and Nepal. </div></div></div><div><br></div><div>We woke up this morning to snow!!!! We decided to take a rest day today since we have been going hard for many days and John has been fighting a cold and deep cough. Not good for high altitude. Plus our view from our lodge is incredible! Yay! Tomorrow we are off to Lobuche (4910 m/16,108') or Gorak Shep (5140 m/16,863'). We will base our decision on John's health because going higher always exacerbates symptoms. :( </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07391796852471877399noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4887032317474975284.post-73168498741637488022015-12-03T01:23:00.001-08:002015-12-03T01:23:49.583-08:00You can't eat a steak in one bite.... (Dec. 2)<b>December 2nd:</b><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEM2zEA5GIkG06uvElGH3qSIBlRBHiSPN9c79xUdESwtzWcZoIPJpYFXKspAdSlMSKH_1Ncde_wEOJZdy8TsqOm_EpXjSayUwuN9LaTjfRSUNhb75yrtMrc3oOSSYmH8vVpYFhaiZaNxg/s640/blogger-image--1805351245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEM2zEA5GIkG06uvElGH3qSIBlRBHiSPN9c79xUdESwtzWcZoIPJpYFXKspAdSlMSKH_1Ncde_wEOJZdy8TsqOm_EpXjSayUwuN9LaTjfRSUNhb75yrtMrc3oOSSYmH8vVpYFhaiZaNxg/s640/blogger-image--1805351245.jpg"></a></div>Top of Cho La pass</div><div><br></div><div>We did it!!! Up until today we have been questioning our ability to get our bodies and backpacks over Cho La pass. Every guide we have talked to along the way to Gokyo raised their eyebrows when we said we were doing the trip without a guide and porter. Their reactions to our plan kind of freaked us both out but we also saw a few pairs of travelers pass us going the opposite direction who completed the pass without guides and porters. So we decided to take the risk and challenge and now we are sitting in a warm lodge in the village of Dzongla (4830 m/15,842') with an incredible view of Ama Dablam (6856 m/22,487'). </div><div><br></div><div>We left this morning very early because this section of our trek is long and doesn't have any tea houses along the way for help or food. The temperature was well below freezing making it hard to stay warm even though we were climbing. We followed many snow cocks which are birds that remind me of Colorado's ptarmigan but larger. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPCx4GsFVBUrTf8yZAXyT0VI_MlcU3XaHDnGBr2tR82jsdZb7b523Ci0X_FVyi4FAv9Q6BmyNbkX0BEfkWubpM-feRYbs52qWrGoUjTproMYG9IQyRL76nC_HgRWK19BeDMV3nMvpUw8w/s640/blogger-image-402310569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPCx4GsFVBUrTf8yZAXyT0VI_MlcU3XaHDnGBr2tR82jsdZb7b523Ci0X_FVyi4FAv9Q6BmyNbkX0BEfkWubpM-feRYbs52qWrGoUjTproMYG9IQyRL76nC_HgRWK19BeDMV3nMvpUw8w/s640/blogger-image-402310569.jpg"></a></div>"Minor pass" behind us</div><div><br></div><div>We summited a "minor" pass which gave us a good look at the real deal pass we needed to haul our butts up! We actually were dumbfounded by what we were looking at because it looked impassible! So we looked at our map thinking we were looking at the wrong saddle but we soon realized that somehow we had to get up what looked like a vertical wall of rock. As we approached the wall we started to see contours of rockslabs and boulders. So we decided that instead of taking the entire pass on all at once, we were going to take it on by segments and just worry about getting from one cairn to the next before looking further on. We climbed on steep rock slabs, scree (really loose small rocks), and huge boulders. Balance and tenacity were essential! </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXwr6KYXggZkmzgTNb-K0C576hL2jdlhh0kEE7gaeA5bqmfJ8ehUkg8Wf1_GvyKVhmHNoVVT9T-EmeGqbITM5dEZOeA6o4CuMwh8gNJoFfRGpdYlmygZWs-js9L4HtBlkfvokfNpuMvCs/s640/blogger-image-693992091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXwr6KYXggZkmzgTNb-K0C576hL2jdlhh0kEE7gaeA5bqmfJ8ehUkg8Wf1_GvyKVhmHNoVVT9T-EmeGqbITM5dEZOeA6o4CuMwh8gNJoFfRGpdYlmygZWs-js9L4HtBlkfvokfNpuMvCs/s640/blogger-image-693992091.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Yes, up that!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-sbRVi8NnDSFqUXrT-8Jg1k-Kj3TFVjiqOgDfpmg7VhDYyEvrsgY_EeaXnuboJ2mzhFVPVDv9w7VBmSe139Ua4miTo3HcV-MJao_5P4V9LdpHUxdEyC-jCWsJhTOPwvdj_cdfg94x7mg/s640/blogger-image-176532844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-sbRVi8NnDSFqUXrT-8Jg1k-Kj3TFVjiqOgDfpmg7VhDYyEvrsgY_EeaXnuboJ2mzhFVPVDv9w7VBmSe139Ua4miTo3HcV-MJao_5P4V9LdpHUxdEyC-jCWsJhTOPwvdj_cdfg94x7mg/s640/blogger-image-176532844.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Every step was critical. Rock and ice. </div></div><br></div><div>After about four hours of climbing we gained the pass. Wow! It was an entirely new view of mountains and the glacier we needed to cross. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrdGsxqEh0Lse2B6NvuSoKjN3CF5G1I2gCNXPBWsLTHSo3dychRrqL8AzKtTu_gy4OEsXDPqGIB2PQWIXKxYE6Vg5Cf-ctsgqGkrxwCWEwoUx8JiOFuiSHqXXKmqTzLLYT64-0uMBlEtk/s640/blogger-image--935259895.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrdGsxqEh0Lse2B6NvuSoKjN3CF5G1I2gCNXPBWsLTHSo3dychRrqL8AzKtTu_gy4OEsXDPqGIB2PQWIXKxYE6Vg5Cf-ctsgqGkrxwCWEwoUx8JiOFuiSHqXXKmqTzLLYT64-0uMBlEtk/s640/blogger-image--935259895.jpg"></a></div>Hanging glacier above and glacier to cross below. </div><div><br></div><div>The hard work was not done because we had to get on the glacier (which is steep) and then cross it without crampons. Then we had to start the painful journey down a similarly steep rock face we climbed on the way up. You may think I am crazy but I would rather climb a mountain twice than go down once. My 90 year old right knee screams at me with every step but luckily I am well equipped with Aleve and hiking poles!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzr46Bw9lvyMNOcSSOwbLVkV8MCop0OiGDEAuUHziuH8qrNDmGEvu7EulJUwOaYs5tbb_wGsJR9lPXcsGqgsE0Ns5DQr19DJzf9mCsTzA-YDBYXvWFaviZF5zE-RbyOKQkouNsvet3a8/s640/blogger-image--739610189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzr46Bw9lvyMNOcSSOwbLVkV8MCop0OiGDEAuUHziuH8qrNDmGEvu7EulJUwOaYs5tbb_wGsJR9lPXcsGqgsE0Ns5DQr19DJzf9mCsTzA-YDBYXvWFaviZF5zE-RbyOKQkouNsvet3a8/s640/blogger-image--739610189.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lqz42UqgzWzE8MfptSGhiPqtsbv5ZLW15_1wb_YhTQPIdl9HVD5V05GDuhJ-GHtGYraMHngpErMnFJ18xWXJSjBu6KPgUSm4L0N1_jzRe_mPNQOTmEl1O_DTs62nVRmvw5Vj-jufHuo/s640/blogger-image-1241899346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lqz42UqgzWzE8MfptSGhiPqtsbv5ZLW15_1wb_YhTQPIdl9HVD5V05GDuhJ-GHtGYraMHngpErMnFJ18xWXJSjBu6KPgUSm4L0N1_jzRe_mPNQOTmEl1O_DTs62nVRmvw5Vj-jufHuo/s640/blogger-image-1241899346.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn7ef_xkEF_teSVRyP2GirAJEwokpH4xiixCfpRYexhHIhKyJXHtD34AC94MOGR-GFF4aq2PSjGeYsQ7rUnB2-FHEnDA3GhfiLEYkI_OC1jNi2P89u_mXXFmLBb50Yr-HzxdfSN-B7hHY/s640/blogger-image--348366403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn7ef_xkEF_teSVRyP2GirAJEwokpH4xiixCfpRYexhHIhKyJXHtD34AC94MOGR-GFF4aq2PSjGeYsQ7rUnB2-FHEnDA3GhfiLEYkI_OC1jNi2P89u_mXXFmLBb50Yr-HzxdfSN-B7hHY/s640/blogger-image--348366403.jpg"></a></div></div></div><br></div><div>The views of Cholatse and Ama Dablam were incredibly dramatic and made it hard to keep an eye on our footing. It's best to stop to gaze at the memorizing peaks! </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0VDfyGly1f8KXKMECyDt-u7U-AZxNqO_03U14uvu-uuUpbG2zUGqd-io2PqAsK_rfICbingDc9xGPuuZW9yjJPsl162z-X-Y3MOJv7uHkIywtuOCdAEOvY3Ney36N9diuduWicjppEjo/s640/blogger-image--1819139606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0VDfyGly1f8KXKMECyDt-u7U-AZxNqO_03U14uvu-uuUpbG2zUGqd-io2PqAsK_rfICbingDc9xGPuuZW9yjJPsl162z-X-Y3MOJv7uHkIywtuOCdAEOvY3Ney36N9diuduWicjppEjo/s640/blogger-image--1819139606.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>A few hours later we were sitting at our lodge sipping a hot cup of milk tea with panoramic views of a ton of new peaks including Cholhatse and Ama Dablam! </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEharTQbPXbnwcjMFT9F0mPOWZQd0tNBP7-45cEneUwzOLtrmJa9HIeLFXgrmP4Ju0UjrOE37y3p23l_QWOjw4EBwFaQYmCFKgzafCnMsKgUpoYUNtwqkX5OrUDzk5YdB4hYMAFVxMgmGVI/s640/blogger-image--519416814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEharTQbPXbnwcjMFT9F0mPOWZQd0tNBP7-45cEneUwzOLtrmJa9HIeLFXgrmP4Ju0UjrOE37y3p23l_QWOjw4EBwFaQYmCFKgzafCnMsKgUpoYUNtwqkX5OrUDzk5YdB4hYMAFVxMgmGVI/s640/blogger-image--519416814.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Our one step at a time approach really paid off just like taking small bites of a steak! That kind of works for pretty much everything in life!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvI9VyOuZdpeBdi6pRDVQTTZGx9ffUwmhdy3ozefasHo7ZJre_IcgRw_yysZOklA3Idc2LSA66MXfVaP-N1I9DCs5U_mBLSJ_d0FHCjfrzsr5ST23s7L8Sbt43e-9awUFz-A3uuHkOcx0/s640/blogger-image--90630099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvI9VyOuZdpeBdi6pRDVQTTZGx9ffUwmhdy3ozefasHo7ZJre_IcgRw_yysZOklA3Idc2LSA66MXfVaP-N1I9DCs5U_mBLSJ_d0FHCjfrzsr5ST23s7L8Sbt43e-9awUFz-A3uuHkOcx0/s640/blogger-image--90630099.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Thank you Tristan from Mrs. Miyauchi's kindergarten class for giving me the lucky Granby Bear bracelet! It's a lucky bracelet to have while traveling in the Himalayas!!! </div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07391796852471877399noreply@blogger.com2