Around each switchback, another equally steep switchback appeared, but eventually I saw the view that pulled my mind upward even while my legs were saying: "Your an idiot!"  

Look closely at the top of the switchbacks and you will see the Yak train led by the Yak that objected to being photographed -  something about a bad hair day.  I saw the benefit in always hugging the mountain side when the Yaks were passing.  Better to be shoved into the mountain side than down a level or two.

Thanks to Sir Hillary, in the larger villages of the Khumbu, public schools are available to children in 1st - 5th grades. Public schools for older children are scarce. If parents can't afford to send their children to a private school, they must go to work. Note the contrast: students with back packs on their way to school, followed by the boys carrying heavy loads.

This little boy, running up a steep trail on his way to the public school, was crying because his friends or siblings left him behind. But he picture holds hope; moreover, most Nepali parents want their children to have an education.

Prayer Flags Above above Mountain Peaks

There is a timelessness here where minutes become centuries and distances become unmeasurable; and so it is with the prayer flags that stretch across the land, under the shadows of the tall peaks. It is said that the prayer flags are wind horses, and that each time a flag flaps in the breeze, the horse on the cotton print gallops off into the wind with prayers, rounding the world, benefiting all sentient beings.

Under the prayer flags, you should see Ama Dablam to the far right, trying to rise above the clouds, Lhotse and Lhotse Shar in the center and Everest slowly rising up to the left of Lhotse. To the left of Everest you can see Nuptse peaking out of the clouds.

The peaks and the people

All along the trail, the mountains keep changing but the lure remains the same. According to the Sherpas, a god or goddess resides in each; therefore, they offer the same respect to each peak that they offer to the stupas, the Mani walls, the prayer flags and the prayer wheels. Spirituality is everywhere in this country, regardless of the hardships and the poverty; moreover, the strength and beauty of the human spirit match the high peaks that they play and pray under.

Hello from Namche

After thirteen days of trekking, surrounded by spectacular mountains, I'm reluctantly headed down. My little toe hurts, my legs don't like trekking more than seven hours a day, I know that 14,000 is exhausting but possible and 16,000 is possible but miserable, I'm tired of "shit pits" (anyone seen Slum Dog Millionaire,) and last but not least, I promised my family and friends that I would be safe. So here I am, safe and snug at 11,400 ft., smile on my face, headed to Namche Lodge happy hour for my first Everest Beer!

The sacred Khumbi-la, the Thami River & the Yeti skull

This is the last post for six days. Hopefully, I've acclimatized enough to make it to the next
couple of villages and increased altitudes. Trekking this high is extremely challenging, but the beauty of the surroundings keeps me doggedly trudging. I feel great; however, I'm very slow, so realistically my new goal is to make it to Gorak Shep. I can't see me getting fast enough to make the seven/eight hour turn around time for Kala Patar or Everest Base Camp. However, I'll be happy if I never take another step up. Trekking among the world's highest peaks, oldest cultures and diverse villages is everything I've ever dreamed of. "Ma koosi laagyo;" I am happy. See you in six days!
The Yeti Skull

The raging Thami River provides hydro-electic power for twenty two villages.

The Tenzing-Hillary Everest Marathon

We had lunch at a little tea house with pictures, awards, shirts and memorabilia of the owners daughter, eighteen year old Mingma Sherpa who won second place twice in the Tenzing-Hillary Everest Marathon that goes from Namche to Everest Base Camp. She ran it in five hours and eleven minutes.