Namche to Tengboche

This ten-mile section between Namche and Tengboche is one of my favorites. I soaked in every step as we hiked high above the deep Khumbu gorge and passed two of my favorite peaks, Thamserku and Kantega.

We encountered yak caravans around almost every corner, and at one point almost witnessed disaster as one came ever so close to being knocked off by another unruly yak.

As we finally arrived in Tengboche, we were greeted with the most amazing sight of Everest I’ve seen yet!  We checked into our lodge just yards from the famous monastery.  Our room faces Everest and we have the same view out our window.  It’s easily the best view from any hotel window I’ve ever had!  Thank goodness we have a rest day here to take advantage. I keep pinching myself to see if it’s real!

A third of our group are sick with stomach ailments, but Judy and I have been lucky so far.  Our only mishap was just now when I dropped my Steripin (an ultraviolet wand for treating water), and will now have to use the inferior potable water tablets.

On our first day of the trek I befriended a Slovakian on the trail by the name of Boris.  He intrigued me because he looked like the subway ghost in the movie “Ghost” – Vincent Schiavelli.  He’s a scary look’n guy!  He made a promise with his teammates that they’d all stick together no matter what. Well, his team leader from Mongolia and friend from Montenagro and four others all got sick and flew by helicopter back to Kathmandu.  He’s healthy, but true to his word flew out from Tengboche today – with much regret. He says next time he’s coming alone!

Today is Sunday, and we started the day by attending a traditional Buddhist ceremony at the Tengboche monastery. The room is not heated and my toes got cold and my back ached as I sat Indian style on the cold floor listening to the endless monotonous chanting.  For the first few minutes they have a certain enchantment to them.  Before long, however, they’re like listening to a boring sermon.  We spent some time after lunch sitting on the outdoor deck enjoying the sunshine before two Sherpa took Judy, Fred (an expat living in Hong Kong), and me on a short hike up the mountain behind our hotel.  It was beautiful, but a bit windy and cold; we were happy to get back and spend some time in the windless courtyard outside of the bakery, enjoying a delicious slice of chocolate cake!

Tonight we’ll pack up again to be ready to continue on in the morning.  We’ll be going to Pheriche, with a stop in Pangboche to see Lama Geshi.