Phakding to Namche Bazaar

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After flying in to Lukla and getting all of our gear adjusted we finally got started on the trail. The trail was downhill first then a up/down the rest of the way. We hiked about three hrs. We waited for lunch until we had stopped for the day.
I was trying to think of all the questions you all might have. Food, might be a good place to start. In Katmandu we had several different options. The hotel always had a buffet of many choices. There was usually a cucumber salad, even at breakfast, pastries, eggs and fruit. Dinner always had rice with many options to go with, chicken, veggies, potatoes, etc. The main dish in Nepal is Dahl Bat. Dahl is lentils, either soupy or thicker, Bat is rice. So, every meal has Dahl Bat available. Lunch today was great, melted cheese and tomato sandwich on thick white bread, steamed veggies, fried potatoes and slaw. Another thing of interest could be the trail. Yes, it is a trail, nice and wide. After getting of the plane I haven't seen a vehicle of any kind. All of the villages are fairly self supporting. Gardens with irrigation are everywhere down here. Yaks carry the things they have to bring in from the real world and for the trekkers. They don't get snow down at this level, but water everywhere. We are following several rivers. Of course we are way above them and the trail is on the mountainside, so step off the trail and you would eventually end up in the river. Green everywhere, mountain laurel type plants, beautiful flowers and then the icy blue of the glacier fed rivers....stunning. This part is up a steep valley, so views of the high snowy peaks are few. One peeked out yesterday. Our head guide Lapka is well known here. Walking near him is fun, everyone has to greet him and some want to stop and talk. Two of his cousins sons are hiking to Thame with us. They are 14 and 16 and attend school in Katmandu. They come home once a year for about a month. They speak fairly good English, but are very quite. We are already running into people we have met earlier, either on the planes, at the hotel, or just around town. My seat mate on my flight into KTM is staying just across the river from us, I have bumped into their guiding Sherpa several times, he always greets me and stops to talk. Gosh, I'm rambling aren't I? I haven't been sleeping well, so this morning I decided to do this in my notes then hopefully this afternoon find a wifi spot. We found one yesterday, but it was too slow to upload pictures. Sorry about the lack of photos so far. They may have to be added later. Our hike today is supposed to be a tough one. Gradually increasing in altitude, then after lunch a steep climb into the town on Namche Bazaar. It will be the largest town on the trek and we'll be there for 2 nights, acclimatizing. The middle day we will be hiking up 1000 feet or more for a day hike then come back down to sleep. I plan on doing a little laundry and showering in Namche. Yippie!!!!

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Comments

[dinah]

Mom's update
Thanks so much, enjoying your commentary and the little personel notes also. We are all fine, I am planning to go to your house Saturday, Gary has been asked to go to Kansas race. This will give the boys a short break from him. Flights are better Saturday than Friday, plan to come home Monday then return to your house the 28th as we planned. Dad, Brian, Garrett and gang are camping this weekend. Have fun!!! Mom & Dad

[Wendy]

Thursday here
Hi! Your descriptions are awesome. Thanks to you I am now hungry and tired! I can't wait to read more in your next post.