Namche Bazaar
The weather in Namche Bazaar is very pleasantly warm in the day when the sun is out; get-your-attention cool immediately when the sun goes down. I've stayed warm and comfortable round the clock, however. The food is good, but way, way too much of it. Last night: veggie spring rolls, house fried rice, carrots & mixed greens, chicken soup, orange for dessert. This morning: large bowl of oatmeal, veggie omelet, toast. I am eating way too much!
Namche is a small village clinging to the side of a mountain only with the assistance of unseen rapelling ropes and super glue! How else could it not fall into the Dudh Kosh River at the bottom of the valley? Across the valley we can see at least two waterfalls so high that the water appears to disappear, evaporating in the dry mountain air before it can reach the bottom. Magically, however, the stream continues in endless cascades below the falls.
Narrow streets, about the width of a school hallway, and almost as crowded as a hallway during class changes. Not a vehicle in all the village, as the only access to this place is by foot. There was a small landing strip constructed, apparently, but it turned out not to have worked. We speculate on who was the unfortunate soul to make that unhappy discovery!
Today we had our first glimpse of Everest! Got up at 5:30 (to the sherpa knocking on the door with hot tea) and took a 30-minute pre-breakfast walk. That is, 30 minutes steeply and relentlessly uphill! Really got my attention. Returned for breakfast at 9:00, then walked another trail, not so much to see the sights as to gain altitude--the principle is to hike high (during the day) and sleep low, which helps with the acclimatization. This afternoon we all seem to be feeling pretty good. I'm pleased with how I'm adjusting to the altitude.
The prices here are incredibly cheap, even for things you'd buy in the US. Lisa's boots were stolen from her tent the other night, so she bought a pair here, brand name, for around $40. Don replaced a broken hiking/ski pole for around $10; John paid over $100 for a set in the US. The items available are impressive, considering the lack of "shipping" opportunities. We are told that Tibetans smuggle their crafts into Nepal from here, carrying them over the high Himalayan passes. What doesn't sell here is carried on yaks to Kathmandu, where it is put on display in the bazaars there.
We leave tomorrow for Gokyo and won't have internet access for close to a week. Will seem strange to be so out of touch with the rest of the world.
Namche is a small village clinging to the side of a mountain only with the assistance of unseen rapelling ropes and super glue! How else could it not fall into the Dudh Kosh River at the bottom of the valley? Across the valley we can see at least two waterfalls so high that the water appears to disappear, evaporating in the dry mountain air before it can reach the bottom. Magically, however, the stream continues in endless cascades below the falls.
Narrow streets, about the width of a school hallway, and almost as crowded as a hallway during class changes. Not a vehicle in all the village, as the only access to this place is by foot. There was a small landing strip constructed, apparently, but it turned out not to have worked. We speculate on who was the unfortunate soul to make that unhappy discovery!
Today we had our first glimpse of Everest! Got up at 5:30 (to the sherpa knocking on the door with hot tea) and took a 30-minute pre-breakfast walk. That is, 30 minutes steeply and relentlessly uphill! Really got my attention. Returned for breakfast at 9:00, then walked another trail, not so much to see the sights as to gain altitude--the principle is to hike high (during the day) and sleep low, which helps with the acclimatization. This afternoon we all seem to be feeling pretty good. I'm pleased with how I'm adjusting to the altitude.
The prices here are incredibly cheap, even for things you'd buy in the US. Lisa's boots were stolen from her tent the other night, so she bought a pair here, brand name, for around $40. Don replaced a broken hiking/ski pole for around $10; John paid over $100 for a set in the US. The items available are impressive, considering the lack of "shipping" opportunities. We are told that Tibetans smuggle their crafts into Nepal from here, carrying them over the high Himalayan passes. What doesn't sell here is carried on yaks to Kathmandu, where it is put on display in the bazaars there.
We leave tomorrow for Gokyo and won't have internet access for close to a week. Will seem strange to be so out of touch with the rest of the world.
posted by Dave Fry | 8:00 AM
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