Thailand...again

I've been in Nepal for 8 months working and learning language. I've been wanting to take a little vacation for some time now but did not know exactly where to go nor did I want to go alone.

A few days before I left for the mountains my friend Jenn called me up and said "do you want to go to Thailand?" My immediate reply was "yes!" The only catch was that to get these super cheep tickets we had to leave before March 31st. I've only been home from the mountains for a few days but my bag is packed and I'm heading to Thailand.

Last time I was there it was just a few months before the big monsoon and it was truly one of the best vacations of my life. How blessed am I that I get to go back.

Last week in the Himalayas and this week on the beach in Thailand...this gig aint too shabby.

Mountain Journal Entry

 

Journal entry March 10, 2009

Today I remembered why I never had the desire to come back here (Himalayas). I hate walking uphill. I’ve truly never understood those who chase after huphill adventures.

From a young age I’ve avoided walking uphill. In college I mastered new ways of getting around going uphill, thanks to New Holland Library and it’s elevator. Now, I sit here in this nice cozy lodge with tomorrow looming over me. For tomorrow brings three hours of walking UP.

When you are on the trail one has a lot of time to think. My converstations with God are many and it is hard to peg just one lessons He is teaching me.

TRUST is one of many lessons. Trust Him to lead me on this journey. Trust Him to Provide peace as I follow. Trust that his plan is better than mine.

Could my walk with Christ be like this trail…uphill? It’s not easy, it takes work, and can cause pain. There is only ONE trail that will lead you to the place you need to go and it is up. All the way up there are AMAZING views and at times one can become overwhelmed with the magnituted of the mountains and reminded just how small we are.

When you finally reach the top it's AMAZING…and there is a bakery with yummy chocolate crossants

A trekkers guide

 

I recently returned home from a trip up into the mountains. For those of you planning to venture up into the Himalays here are a few tips.

1)The trail is deceptively easy the first day.

2) Namche Bazzar can take anyone from one to four hours to walk up. If you are the “one” hour person you are most likely Sherpa. It is all up hill

3) Try the Sherpa tea but stay away from the Sherpa porridge.


4) Every where you look there is an amazing view. You are litteraly surrounded by the Himalayas. Careful not to stain your neck when checking out an amazing view.

5) Walking downhill is not as easy as you think. It is made even more difficult when having to wait for trains of Yaks and Porters to pass you by on the narrow trail.

6) The food is super expensive, about 3x more than what you would pay in the city. If you manage to become friends with a lodge owner your tea my just be free. Warning this “friend” making thing may include Sherpa dancing thus making a fool out of yourself.

7) There are very few Americans on the trail these days. This may be a good time to brush up on your British accent or find out how to say “hello” in Russian, German, French, and Swedish.

8) Zip away pants are all the rage these days. If you want to blend in with all the other trekkers these are essential. If you want blend in with porters or guides then jeans and your every day kicks will do.

9) When walking on the trail stop every once in a while and take it all in. Have your camera either around your neck or easily accessible. You are in the Himalayas for goodness sake…take a as many pictures as you can.

10) Take a journal. You will want to record this journey.

By the way…I plan on posting a few of my journal pages from the trip.

Dolma's Losar Party

 

Dolma invited us over to her house to celebrate Losar the Sherpa new year.

The invite called for us to come over to her house at 11am. This made me think “we will go at 11, have some snacks, eat lunch, and then be done.” Oh what a fool I was to have such thoughts. I knew something was amiss when I asked another friend if she would be coming over and her response was “yes, I will come over later for dinner.” This response immidiatly tipped me off to the fact that I would not be there for just a few hours but rather ALL day.

There is not much to tell you about the day spent at Dolmas house. Basically it consisted of sitting in her living room and having a constant succession of foods and drink being brought to me. Even as I write this I feel a little sick from all of the food consumed in the nine hours spent at Dolma’s.

What I learned from this day is that in Nepal friendship is often measured by time spent and food eaten.

* If the weather is nice try to eat outside in the garden where it is less noticible if you “accidently” drop your food or spill your tea. If your lucky they will have a dog…

* There will be dancing no matter how much you protest

* Resistance is futile. You may end up with rice in the lap if you try to move your plate away when a Nepali is trying to give you a second helping.

* Even though the day seemed so long and my stomach is on the verge of exploding from all the food and tea I felt loved.

Here is a list of the food consumed during our time at Dolma's
Juice
Salt tea
Capse (fried bread)
Nuts and fruit
Fish
French fries
Sausage
More tea
Rice/bread
Prawn chips
More tea
Juice
Pork chilli
Prawn chips
French-fries
Juice
Biriani
Mutton curry
Green veg.
Potatoes
Beans
Yogurt w/fruit
Salt tea