with Pratik because it would have taken forever for Laurie to get down. The weather started to turn cold and cloudy. We got down about 3:00. We stopped at Mutinath and we were at 12,467 feet. Nar wanted us to go down further because he was afraid for Laurie. It would have been another 3 hours and Laurie would have to go down by horse. Laurie and I decided that we would rather stay put and maybe go down tomorrow even though we were suppose to have a day off. The room wasn't very nice, but we could live with it.
May 1, 2003
We took our time getting up. We weren't in a rush because we really didn't have far to go.
Elsa, Manu, and their guides and porter, and Laurie, Nar, and I went to the temple in the village. There were monks there blessing people. We saw a helicopter land and people got out. They were going up to the temple. I really didn't think the temple was that nice to be helicoptered in.
We started hiking down about 10:30. It was a pleasant day and a nice walk. We had some nice views of the mountains. It reminded me of the southwest because below the mountains it was very dry and brown. The trail was down which was a nice change.
We saw a bunch of people in their best clothes trekking up the hill. I asked Nar if they were going to the temple. He said yes, so I asked if it is a special day. He said they go everyday. For some people this was a long steep trek depending where they were coming from. We got to Kagboni about 2:00 and found a nice place to stay, Asia Trekker Hotel. The owner gave us a deal because it wasn't busy. Normally it is 200 rupees. but we got the room for 100 rupees, which is only $1.25 US total. Rooms are so cheap here. I think the most we paid for a room is less than $3.00 US.
We had lunch with Manu and Elsa and then Laurie and I went to our room to rest, read, and write.
We saw two girls that we had seen the day before we did Thorung Pass. They were from Australia. They were sitting with another girl. The other girl is American, from Pennsylvania. She is in the Peace Corp and teaches English. She has been here for a year.
After dinner I taught Manu and Elsa how to play cribbage. It has been really nice to have them to travel with. They are both funny and fun to be around.
May 2, 2003
We have been only hiking 13 days and it feels like a life time. The scenery is beautiful, but so many things are getting to me.
Laurie and I were suppose to have a day off, but I think we both want to get this trek over with. Besides, if we had a day off we would have to say good-bye to Manu and Elsa. We talked to Nar and we decided to walk.
First thing we did was go to the school where Beth, the girl in the Peace Corp works. She said Friday they don't do much so there wasn't much teaching. The school goes from first grade to about ninth. Not too many kids stick it out that long. There were about 50 kids there. I had entertained an idea about the Peace Corp and I have decided that I really like my home and all the things we have. I don't think I could or would want to do it.
Today was a bad day for walking because I feel nauseous. I am sick of the food, the smell from the homes, the smell from the animal dung. The walk was along a river bed that in monsoon time is full. The walk was full of small rocks and it wasn't good for my ankle that I hurt. A few times I would step wrong. Also the day was very windy. They say this area is always windy. My face and hair was full of dirt.
We stopped to eat but Laurie and I weren't up to eating. All of the menus are pretty much the same from village ro village. There was nothing that appeals to me. Sometimes I wonder if I can last the rest of the time here. We have 5 more weeks. I feel guilty like I am insulting Nar because we don't care for the food. Laurie and I are both counting days to London. We are a couple days ahead of schedule, but we will have to hang out in Katunander which doesn't appeal to me either. We both entertained the idea of leaving Nepal early, but we don't want to mess what we have planned because we won't probably come back here.
We are in Marpha at the Sunrise Hotel. We have a nice bathroom with shower. This is a neat little village. I wish I felt better to walk around. Didn't feel like much for dinner. Gave part of it to Laurie. After dinner I just went to bed which was at 7:30.
May 3, 2003
I still felt sick this morning, but I knew I had to eat. I had a pancake for breakfast. We got on the trail about 8:30. It looked very cloudy. We were again walking by the river bed and we were hit with another sandstorm.
We stopped in Lajung for lunch. I had boiled potatoes. Something that tasted normal to me and my stomach could handle. It started to rain before we stopped, so we didn't know if we would stay there for the night. After lunch the rain stopped, so we moved on. As soon as we started walking the rain came. It wasn't that bad. It would start, then stop. We could hear thunder not too far away. Kept hoping we would get to our destination before it got really bad.
We arrived in Kalopini about 2:30. We have a nice place to stay tonight and got here before it poured.
