Annapurnapage3

Day 3:
Off again at 8am. This seems to be a theme already. Another breakfast of the same and we are off into the brisk morning air. The sun shining over the mountain tops to the east, our packs on, with excited energy to see what we see today and we began to walk again. Remember the long up to end yesterday? Well, unfortunately today that resulted in a long down to nearly the valley floor. Our tender feet pound down the trail, and our knees strain. Our feet had been very tired after a day in hiking boots. We have been wearing sandals for 5 months and our feet are now rebelling at the confinment and stess. As we walk we notice the rice terraces that are carved into the sides of the hills. Everywhere they rise to the top and are still brown due to the impending spring. The villagers are out plowing and tending these fields for the coming monsoon which is sure to make them a plush green.

Everyday is just a continuation of the long walk started from Besisahar. The beauty of the Annapurna trek is that the scenery changes everyday as you circle the Annapurna range. And the villages become more primitive the further up the valley you get. Having descended from Bahundanda we walk above the river and we descend again and cross a large suspension bridge to the village of Saynje (3,608ft). Now on the west side of the river we fill our water bottles and say hi to lone trekker as he speeds by us. The toll of yesterdays work is making itself known. Out of the village we start heading up again along a cut stone staircase. It switches back but keeps going up..and up..and up. Alot of work. One foot in front of the other and finally reach Jagat (4,232ft). Time for lunch. We stop in small place. Off with the packs and boots and we order a pot of hot lemon and noodle something. Both a bit knackered we throw around the idea of staying here tonight. But it's only noon, we say. We must be stronger and stay with the guidebook that says we should make it to Chamje (4,626ft) another hour and a half. Why hurry we decide and the night in Jagat it is. We ask the owner how much for a room and she says 120 rupees. Jen runs next door and that place says 40 rupees. We are in! Another partial shower and we slink in our sleeping bags for a needed afternoon nap. Wake to eat some more food and back in the bags by 7pm and asleep by 7:30pm.

Brad's Jounal:
"Tibetan Pemba Lodge, Jagat, 4:30pm:
Finished another day! We started out again at 8am with good spirts, but today we needed to take rest. The first stretch to Saynje seemed to take forever. There was alot of down which means eventually alot of up. My toes felt tender during the down. The scenery again is awesome. Terraced rice fields not yet in bloom, many small villages with the people completing the daily chores of washing, cutting wood, and getting water. The many porters flow through with loads of supplies for the villages up the valley. Thier loads in excess of 100lbs. The mule caravans heading north full, and south empty, filled the trail with the melodious sounds of the thier bells.