October26 & 27

I left Namche on the morning of the 26th with a porter that my host at the Thawa Lodge found for me. She termed him as an emergency porter and asked me if I would pay him a little more as he needed money to repair his home. What we are talking about here is $20 US rather than the customary amount of $15 per day. Not a hard decision for me. I learned that he was 55 years old and well known in the area. He would meet me at the Thawa at 830 am ready for the two day trek.

It was hard to leave my friends at the Thawa – they were very good to me and we had nice chats every evening.
When I left she presented me with a long red silk scarf with Tibetan symbols and prayers. It was much like the one the llama had blessed me with only much more colorful and of a higher quality. I got hugs from her and her sister and off I went with my new friend, Chel Dim the porter. He had a ready smile and many people to greet, but like all of us at a certain age, the trek was certainly harder for him now than in his earlier life. I was in no hurry and appreciative of his help so we moved along at a comfortable pace and rested often.

Stopping at the same lodge in Phakding as on the trek up- the Mountain Resort, I found there was only two other guests, an attractive Italian woman perhaps In her mid-thirties and her young Sherpa guide. Their porter was staying elsewhere. Chel Dim is from Phakding so he stayed at his home.

At dinner we had a nice time talking about traveling, her home on Lake Como and the young Sherpa’s just south of Lukla. She is an architect working in Switzerland and had traveled through many of the same places in Argentina that I had. The Sherpa teased her about all the stopping for photographs on the trek from Lukla. A pleasant evening. She is on her way up towards Everest basecamp .

There was no internet working in Phakding but in these lower altitudes I slept well and long. The next day’s trek to Lukla was more uphill but we got there early – around 11am, and after seeing Passang and settling into the Sherpa Lodge. I got on the internet.

I had just received the great news from Pascale’s satellite spot which includes the ability to send messages that Lonnie, Elias, Bridget and Furba had just summitted Kyajo Ri at 6184m! Next they will be attempting Ama Dablam but for now it’s time to celebrate this mountain. Check One World Endeavors for more details as they come in.

I’m dining with people I met along the trail yesterday and hoping not to insult my host as we are going to another restaurant where they serve red wine. They serve Chang at my Lodge. Sent from my iPhone

I’ve included a photo of the women sifting cracked corn to get the smallest pieces to mix with rice and make Chang – a type of homemade alcoholic drink served here at the Sherpa Lodge. Also one of mani stones along the trail from Phakding and one of the runway here. We are looking downhill – on the other side of the fence where I am standing it says in big letters “STOP HERE”. That is reassuring. It is a steep cliff mountainside where you see the runway end (or begin) depending on which way you are traveling).