Annapurnapage2

Day 2:

Up early and excited but a bit nervous. We have a breakfast of oatmeal in the cold air and finish packing. Off by 8am. We walk the length of the small village and it has already been bustling since 5am. As we hit the end paved road we see a bus loaded with people. A guy steps and says, "Where you going". We had been told to watch the first few days on the trail. If something is going to happen it will be there because they can hit you and then retreat to the road quickly. With paranoia, we point forward, keep walking and don't say a word.

The first stretch is a dirt road that works its way up the left side of the Marsyangi river. We notice village life and the only backpacker in site. The excitment is tangible as we are heading out for about 30 days in Himalaya. Hey, what is that?, as the bus rolls by us. You mean we could have taken the bus? That is why the guy was asking us where we were going. Paranioa. Oh, well, we need the execise as we have done nothing but lay in hammocks and eat out for the past 5 months. The walk was nice and sun felt warm although we wore pansts and long shirts because it was still cool.

We continue to watch the life of the villages doing there morning chores. Gathering firewood, bathing and washing clothes in the streams, and cooking over wood stoves. We cross the river on a small bamboo foot and head north up the valley of the Marsyangi river. The walking is easy and talk about many things as we leave civilzation. And the Manaslu comes into view.

We had to stop for our first self-timer shot. How exciting! Due notice the whiteness of Brad's shirt, because it changes over time. 3 hours of hiking and we reach the village of Bhulebhule (2,756ft). We start at the first Annapurna Conservation check point and it is time for lunch. We met a couple from Orgeon and talked breifly. "Hey, we saw you two leave early...we took a jeep up" they say. Remember that for next time. The menu from this point on is set. The types of food and the prices. This limits the bargaining that long time travelers are used to doing. We fill the water bottles and drop in the iodine tablets and we are off again. Now we have finally left the road. The trail runs along the east side of the river and we had to cross a large suspension bridge before the last village. The day is beautiful and we are in love with life!

As we reach Ngadi (3,051ft) one hour later we see our Oregon friends eating lunch at small diner. These small villages are set up for trekkers and have small hotels and open air restaruants to take in the view. The owner ask us to step in, we take a water break contemplate staying here for the night, but decide to keep moving. The guide bood says we should reach Bahundanda (4,134ft) today. 2 hours late begin to approach Bahundanda. The grade of the climb steadily goes up and we are getting tired. Blasted, the last stretch is switch-backs that seem to go forever up. Pausing several time to catch our breath we limp in the village perched above the valley floor. The first hotel we see, "How much for the night?". The owner whispers "20 rupess". About .30 cents, we are in! This is well below the fixed price, but the owners from here on are so desperate for business they cut the price with the knowledge that at least we will eat several meals at full cost. A bucket shower, a meal and we collapse into our sleeping bags. We are tired after the first long day.

Jennifers Journal:
"Tibet Guest House, 5:30pm
What a great day! In true fashion we pushed ourselves a bit harder than we should have after 5 months of not doing anything physical but it felt good to work! We passed through lots of small villages that are the same as they were forever....Manasul (26,759ft) dominated the horizon much of the day."