Well that went fast....trekking is already done and now I'm looking forward to the next adventure. Getting to Lukla yesterday was a really long day....it was just so hot that it was difficult to move very fast. Plus in a way I didn't want it to end....not sure if or when I'll be back, so in a way I wanted to savour every last step!
Once we arrived Dhane took me to his sister's house where she fed be the best fried chicken that I've ever had, and some momo's. Those are the dumplings.....some type of filling wrapped in a wonton type of wrap....but of course it's home made. Nothing is made ahead of time as there's no means to store it, so it's all made fresh. His sister has three daughters, and they were helping out with the cooking while three boys were watching something on TV. The boys looked familiar....they were porters for a group and had just returned, we had met up with them in Gorak Shep a week ago. They are all staying together in a small house until the boys all head out again to trek and make money. Dhane says that he always picks up work whenever he wants it....I'm glad he approached me at the Lukla airport two weeks ago. I chatted with the girls and quickly realized that there are no work opportunities for them. Difficult. The boys have the latest phones, and trendy clothes because they are making money. Dhane sent all the money I gave him to his mother for seeds and rice to plant on their farm. Not an easy life for sure.
Now I'm sitting here in Kathmandu enjoying a nice beer, and I'm in a very nice hotel. The type of hotel where they greet you with juice and a cold wash cloth before you get checked in. Contrast that with my basic room that I had yesterday in lukla. I did have my own toilet and sink in the room, but no running water. To flush the toilet I had to heave a 5 gallon jug and pour enough water for it to flush!!! What a difference 24 hours makes!
The flight was uneventful except I realized that half the flights flew directly to Kathmandu, unfortunately mine was for Ranechhap so a 5 hour drive where there wasn't 100 meters of straight road....and lots of wash outs and huge potholes. Rough ride but we got here without any accidents....but as a back seat driver it looked like a lot of close calls!!! Glad I wasn't driving!
I arrived and it was suggested that I go directly to the airport to pick up my bike as tomorrow is Mother's Day....so might be more challenging to pick it up, so still in my dusty mountain clothes, tired and smelly off I went to the airport. Due to the traffic it was 45 min each way. A small taxi with a roof rack. He said he had rope...but he meant one small bungy cord to hold down my 65 lb bike box! He stopped a few times and we unrolled the windows and checked to make sure it hadn't moved!!! Well I should have trusted when he said don't worry.
After an awesome shower...first in two weeks I'm sitting down to a beer and dinner. Well deserved I think!
Once we arrived Dhane took me to his sister's house where she fed be the best fried chicken that I've ever had, and some momo's. Those are the dumplings.....some type of filling wrapped in a wonton type of wrap....but of course it's home made. Nothing is made ahead of time as there's no means to store it, so it's all made fresh. His sister has three daughters, and they were helping out with the cooking while three boys were watching something on TV. The boys looked familiar....they were porters for a group and had just returned, we had met up with them in Gorak Shep a week ago. They are all staying together in a small house until the boys all head out again to trek and make money. Dhane says that he always picks up work whenever he wants it....I'm glad he approached me at the Lukla airport two weeks ago. I chatted with the girls and quickly realized that there are no work opportunities for them. Difficult. The boys have the latest phones, and trendy clothes because they are making money. Dhane sent all the money I gave him to his mother for seeds and rice to plant on their farm. Not an easy life for sure.
Now I'm sitting here in Kathmandu enjoying a nice beer, and I'm in a very nice hotel. The type of hotel where they greet you with juice and a cold wash cloth before you get checked in. Contrast that with my basic room that I had yesterday in lukla. I did have my own toilet and sink in the room, but no running water. To flush the toilet I had to heave a 5 gallon jug and pour enough water for it to flush!!! What a difference 24 hours makes!
The flight was uneventful except I realized that half the flights flew directly to Kathmandu, unfortunately mine was for Ranechhap so a 5 hour drive where there wasn't 100 meters of straight road....and lots of wash outs and huge potholes. Rough ride but we got here without any accidents....but as a back seat driver it looked like a lot of close calls!!! Glad I wasn't driving!
I arrived and it was suggested that I go directly to the airport to pick up my bike as tomorrow is Mother's Day....so might be more challenging to pick it up, so still in my dusty mountain clothes, tired and smelly off I went to the airport. Due to the traffic it was 45 min each way. A small taxi with a roof rack. He said he had rope...but he meant one small bungy cord to hold down my 65 lb bike box! He stopped a few times and we unrolled the windows and checked to make sure it hadn't moved!!! Well I should have trusted when he said don't worry.
After an awesome shower...first in two weeks I'm sitting down to a beer and dinner. Well deserved I think!
2 comments:
Happy belated birthday from the snowy part of the world. Sounds like you are once again having a great adventure Lucille. Hope the diamox has worn off so the beer tasted good and the Imodium was unnecessary. Great to hear your bike arrived...now to just put all those pieces where they belong eh. Have fun and enjoy.
So glad you got your bike Lucille! When does your cycling begin? You most certainly deserve a beer or two or three! Love to see your smile.
Claudia
Post a Comment