A little moment of panic before we departed this morning. I went back down to my room to use the bathroom one last time. I heard a click and assumed someone was trying to get in. When I tried to leave, I realized someone had locked the door from the outside. I pounded on the plywood wall and yelled, "Someone let me out of here!" Haley finally came to my rescue. Odd.
Much better weather today—scattered clouds, some warm sun, and a breeze after lunch. Not much vertical before lunch, so we knew we were doomed after. By the end of the day, we had ascended 3,500 feet, much of it on steep stone steps. Crossing the many suspension bridges was a little exciting. I really got bounced around—soft knees and grabbing the side fences were key to staying upright. The trees are in bloom, as are some of the rhodies. The magnolia flowers were the size of dinner plates, and the pink cherry blossoms spoke of spring.
We ended up hiking with the climbing team/family members after lunch, which was fun as we don't usually see much of them on the trail. The terrain was challenging, and some in the group had a hard time.
The cute Nepalese and Sherpa porters carry 30-kilo loads and zip up the trails next to us, often in sneakers and sometimes only in flip-flops. Niraj, one of the assistant trekking guides, was like an angel at my shoulder during a good part of the afternoon. He was always shadowing just off to my left or right, but never passed me. Couldn't figure out why he chose me.
The group was quite spread out by the time we climbed the final steps to Panorama Lodge in Namche Bazaar. The sizable town is built in tiers in a big bowl, and we are located at the top. The infamous bakery, of course, is located at the bottom of the town. I don't have the energy to make it down there today (even for apple pie), but I will venture down tomorrow during our rest day.
A few in our group are concerned about taking in too many calories. Ha, I told them, as I continued to gorge myself.
Much better weather today—scattered clouds, some warm sun, and a breeze after lunch. Not much vertical before lunch, so we knew we were doomed after. By the end of the day, we had ascended 3,500 feet, much of it on steep stone steps. Crossing the many suspension bridges was a little exciting. I really got bounced around—soft knees and grabbing the side fences were key to staying upright. The trees are in bloom, as are some of the rhodies. The magnolia flowers were the size of dinner plates, and the pink cherry blossoms spoke of spring.
We ended up hiking with the climbing team/family members after lunch, which was fun as we don't usually see much of them on the trail. The terrain was challenging, and some in the group had a hard time.
The cute Nepalese and Sherpa porters carry 30-kilo loads and zip up the trails next to us, often in sneakers and sometimes only in flip-flops. Niraj, one of the assistant trekking guides, was like an angel at my shoulder during a good part of the afternoon. He was always shadowing just off to my left or right, but never passed me. Couldn't figure out why he chose me.
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| A porter readies his load |
The group was quite spread out by the time we climbed the final steps to Panorama Lodge in Namche Bazaar. The sizable town is built in tiers in a big bowl, and we are located at the top. The infamous bakery, of course, is located at the bottom of the town. I don't have the energy to make it down there today (even for apple pie), but I will venture down tomorrow during our rest day.
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| Namche |
A few in our group are concerned about taking in too many calories. Ha, I told them, as I continued to gorge myself.
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