Up early once again (remember, sleep is for sissies), at 0500 and caught the plane from Lukla to Kathmandu. Again, very small plane, just big enough to fit our group on. It is so beautiful flying over the hills with the mountains as the backdrop . Looking down there would be nothing but trees and then all of a sudden a lone house, far away from everything . The terrace farms are so amazing from above also.
Back to Kathmandu and back to the noise and smog. The smog lies so heavy in the air and is so noticeable after breathing mountain air for two weeks (although the yak dung fires got a bit noxious at times). So great to come back here to some clean clothes !! Our guide, Maski , was so funny. While we were trekking one of his favourite sayings was " We in mountains now. It's ok. Stay stinky !". I was watching the trekkers that we met yesterday on the trail, just beginning their journey . I was thinking " That's right. See my dirty clothes ? See my cracked bleeding lips.? Hear my hacking cough? My dusty dirty boots? This will be you soon. Enjoy your white fleece sweater while you can because you will probably not even want to bring it home after". But, instead, I smiled, nodded my head and said "Namaste". Why ruin it for them?
Our rooms weren't ready for us when we got back as it was only 0800 when we reached here. But Heidi and I quickly gathered ALL our dirty clothes (except the ones we had on) and had the hotel send them off to the laundry . Enjoyed a good breakfast just down the street with REAL coffee and then came back to our room being ready around 1000. Had the best shower i have had since leaving Canada . Scrubbed myself almost raw. And then put on clean clothes . Aaaah.
Meeting the group for one last dinner together tonight . Will really miss some of them. And then some, not so much. Will definitely miss our guide . He has been the best. Always helpful. Always happy. Always funny. Always knowledgeable . Always caring. We really lucked out getting him.
Tomorrow afternoon leaving Kathmandu and flying back to Mumbai . Still don't have plans made for Southern India but will likely work more on that tomorrow . Nice having no real agenda for the time being .
Back to Kathmandu and back to the noise and smog. The smog lies so heavy in the air and is so noticeable after breathing mountain air for two weeks (although the yak dung fires got a bit noxious at times). So great to come back here to some clean clothes !! Our guide, Maski , was so funny. While we were trekking one of his favourite sayings was " We in mountains now. It's ok. Stay stinky !". I was watching the trekkers that we met yesterday on the trail, just beginning their journey . I was thinking " That's right. See my dirty clothes ? See my cracked bleeding lips.? Hear my hacking cough? My dusty dirty boots? This will be you soon. Enjoy your white fleece sweater while you can because you will probably not even want to bring it home after". But, instead, I smiled, nodded my head and said "Namaste". Why ruin it for them?
Our rooms weren't ready for us when we got back as it was only 0800 when we reached here. But Heidi and I quickly gathered ALL our dirty clothes (except the ones we had on) and had the hotel send them off to the laundry . Enjoyed a good breakfast just down the street with REAL coffee and then came back to our room being ready around 1000. Had the best shower i have had since leaving Canada . Scrubbed myself almost raw. And then put on clean clothes . Aaaah.
Meeting the group for one last dinner together tonight . Will really miss some of them. And then some, not so much. Will definitely miss our guide . He has been the best. Always helpful. Always happy. Always funny. Always knowledgeable . Always caring. We really lucked out getting him.
Tomorrow afternoon leaving Kathmandu and flying back to Mumbai . Still don't have plans made for Southern India but will likely work more on that tomorrow . Nice having no real agenda for the time being .
What an awesome experience Shell! You paint quite a mental picture. Can't wait to hear all the 'stories behind the stories'. Stay safe!
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