We just got out of there.
Despite 2 days of thigh busting running to get to the tiny hillside town/’airport’ of Lukla (with, by far, the ugliest airstrip I have ever ever seen. And i have seen a lot).
We stayed in the Himalayan Lodge (yes, every other lodge/hotel has the same name), RIGHT at the airport….and had the place to our selves. We were hosted by a legend of the region, Pasang Sherpa. He built this lodge, manages an orphanage of sorts, and manages the monestary….AND a top guide/Sherpa service. Unreal evening.
Awoke to blue sky. BUT, Kathmandu was closed for weather. THEN it came to use. BIG rain, thunderstorms…thought we’d be stuck for a day, and our 2 day downhill run would be for nothing.
THEN, as K and I sat in a cafe, sipping tea, the storm let up, we ran to the airstrip and got on the first plane. Tiny 12 seater. Now…get this….
The ‘town’ is on a steep mountain side. One might think an airstrip would go, along a hill side….as in parrallel the mountain. Instead, imagine…a small knuckle/ridge/hip coming off this hill side, and they build the runway STRAIGHT into the hillside….going up hill. It’s hard to describe…..but the landing 18 days ago was heartstopping.
Now, today, the take off was 9 second down hill, off a cliff take off. unreal. As K says, like a hangglider taking off.
Safe and sound, in Kathmandu. BUT, as we have come back to civilization we have learned of this swine flu BS, AND there is some major political tension happening today, here in Nepal due to a firing of the Army Chief, and the Maoist government is being silly…or something like this. Anyhow, the streets are kinda full, and it’s nutty.
So, we are about to get our first shower in some 18 days, and dine with our host agency. NEPAL SOCIAL TREKKIING. Grab your calender, book a flight to Kathmandu, and come trek or river raft with these guys. They will take care of everything.
WE ARE reading all your comments…so please, write more! We are set here for some 6 days to clean up, and start posting some pics (as soon as i find my camera) and some more stories.
Health report: pealing skin all over the face. Hungry. Sore shin muscles for us both, from the thigh busting downhill run. We are skinny, i just learned I lost 7kg (16lb), and K maybe 3-4kg (8-10lb), maybe even more after we wash the dirt off. We have a stench that has even the local mangy dogs clearning the path.
Tons of gear to organize, repair and such.
Namaste
Hi Paul & Karen,
Good to know you are back in Kathmandu today, i will meet you at evening, everything is fine.
basu
Okay…you better plan on me being the US portion of Team Jordan!!! I will be more than happy to get you all to and from the airport, house-sit and do whatever else you need for this side of the pond! And I will sooooo be bringing up some spa stuff to your house for K’s B-Day!!! (maybe even some Sprinkle’s cupcakes) All is well here in So. Cal. (Eric said all your gear, cars, and house is still there in one piece). And call or e-mail me if you need me for any medical stuff or some help at the airport once you land. **Maybe I can go and grab J-Man and meet you at the airport???** xoxox~C
Congratulations Jordan and all! My sister, Sharon Gytri, had me keeping
track of your trip. Amazing. I was adding my prayers to the multitude
that went up for you. You will be coming back stateside to lots of press,
so comb your hair! (From the mother of a boy, of course!)
Diane LaSala (Sharon’s sister from CT)