Well, after a 7 hours wait for my helicopter ride and landing in a different location, I am finally on my way.
Due to the late arrival… around 3:30. I met my guide and porter. Jhit and Krishna. They seemed nice… Jhit speaks English so that is good.
The trek today was difficult. The last hour was in the dark. Jhit held my phone for light, and we managed our way to the guest house. He asked me if I wanted to try to go to Namche tonight. I thought about it but decided to rest up for the night. We got to the guest house around 7:30. It was good and the meal was delicious. I slept well that night and woke refreshed.
It is a good thing we didn’t go on to Namche because that trek the next morning was a killer. I would not have made it. There are too many steps, and if not , just walking uphill. We crossed Hillary bridge and more uphill. I began wondering why I chose to do this. This is really hard work. It doesn’t seem to end..
Finally made it to Namche. Our hotel is also on the top of a hill. Namche is a small town built on a hillside. I bought a warm sweatshirt and withdrew some more money to make sure I’d have enough to tip my guide and porter at the end. I have to pay for my drinks and, if I decide, a sim card, because there is no wifi very soon. I may go without the wifi, I’ll see. So here I am cold inside my room and coughing from a bit of congestion that I had from before. I am 10,000 feet above sea level and feel fine, except for being cold and dreading the uphill hiking to come. Jhit says it will only get worse!! Omg!
Tomorrow, he wants me to trek to Mt Everest Hotel, which is at 13000 feet high. He said it is a 4 hr hike that is more difficult than today… I am going to die!!
Well, it wasn’t that bad. It was bad, but not as hard as I was thinking. It did take us 3 hrs to get up and 1 1/2 hrs to get down. The hotel was built by a Japanese national and as a result they had japanese food. I got the vege maki sushi to share. The guys had never tried it before, and it was surprisingly good. The rice was Japanese rice. There was, unfortunately, no view due to it being cloudy today. Just a little glimmer of sorts.
We walked down and went to the bakery I’ve heard about. Got the chocolate cake and coffee. I had cappuccino, and they had americano. It was yummy.
Came back to the hotel to rest. We start another strenuous trek tomorrow. I feel good, except for my congestion. My legs feel strong. My breathing when going up still very difficult. Jhit tells me things will get tougher from now due to the elevation. I took a hot shower, probably my last for a while. Jhit is my rock … I’m so glad he’s here for me.
Well… it got constantly harder. I walk very slowly, and my breathing is labored. Step by step, but it is getting harder. We made it to the next destination, and the next day, we did a hike to gain elevation. Wow, that was a killer. It took a lot out of me. We are at 14000 feet.
The next day, it was not too bad a hike but still very labored breathing.
Prepared the prayer flags for mom (who passed away Aug 23) and Venni (Jhonsen’s mom who passed away a week after my mom). I want to leave them at Everest Base Camp. It brought back lots of thoughts. The tears that hadn’t yet been shed fell through the night and in the morning. I don’t think I dealt with my mom’s death till now. Maybe the elevation also makes me emotional. Jhit is worried about me, but I told him it had nothing to do with him. I just could not share it yet… maybe tonight. I will be alright. It’s just something I need to deal with.
My steps are slow but somewhat steady. We stopped for lunch, and there we could rest for the rest of the day. I felt inspired to dance when I saw these two young teenage looking Nepalese girls. I asked them if they wanted to learn some American dancing. They said yes, so l later I went to where they were and we tried to do some dancing. It didn’t go too well… especially considering the very uneven cement floor and lack of space… but we did some things. They sure are cute.
Then after went the dining hall where there was more space and it was pretty empty, so I tried to teach Jhit rumba and waltz. He was a good sport… a little hard, but he kinda got it. Then I stayed and practiced my line dancing. Went to my room, and it sure is cold. Came out for dinner and managed to warm up and ate some sherpa stew, so I felt somewhat better. Don’t know what tomorrow will bring. I am getting tired of walking. I feel ok, but tired and not 100% . It is a little miserable… cold, a bit uncomfortable … the scenery is beautiful, though. I don’t sleep real good. I’m light sleeping at the best. My stomach is sensitive. I am not really hungry. I know I should eat, but nothing really sounds or tastes good, except the sherpa stew. My cough has gotten better. Think I will be ok as long as I go slow and take rest. I am cold to the bones in the evenings and mornings. The guest houses have wood stoves, thank goodness … I crowd around them in the evening. On bed, the comforters are warm enough after getting snuggled in.
Last night I woke up to go to the bathroom and when I came back to bed I couldn’t breathe. It was really scary and I couldn’t sleep because I felt like I didn’t have enough oxygen. Then I had to go to the bathroom 3 more times, which was very unusual. I think my body was just shutting down. I walked and moved really slow, but still, it was difficult. My mind began to put me in panic mode, and I felt like I really needed to get out of this place and get some oxygen! I wanted to call Jhit, but my whats ap wasn’t working. The next morning, I told Jhit what happened, and he was concerned, but we decided to go forward, just slower. We made it, though, but I was really tired. Every step and breathe was taxing. They said I could rest at the next village for lunch, but then they suggested we go to Pyramid Hotel. Said it would make the walk tomorrow easier. I groaned inside but did as they suggested. I am really exhausted. Worried about my breathing. My face and arms are tingly (later to find out it is a side effect of the Diamox). I am drinking garlic tea. It is supposed to help with a lack of oxygen. I started taking Diamox this morning, so maybe it will help. My oxygen level had gotten down to 67. Tomorrow, we’re supposed to trek to Gorakshep then to Mt. Everest Base Camp. I hope I can make it.
It was a grueling trek to Mt Everest base camp, climbing on and over boulders, but made it! I am feeling much better now. We took the respective pictures and enjoyed snicker bars together. We put up the prayer flags for mom, dad, Venni, Renard, Gramma, and grampa.
It was a thrill just sitting there amongst the crowd of other people reveling in their triumph.
I was dreading the return and toyed with the idea of just taking a helicopter out, but Jhit and Krishna wouldn’t be with me. So I will walk… with them. Jhit said it would be easier to go down, so I trust his judgment. On the downhill trek, on the 25th, Jhit and Krishna surprised me with a birthday cake and more! We celebrated my big 7-0 in a guest house with the staff, chocolate cake, candles, cream, and plenty of smiles and laughter.
It was wonderful! That was a birthday I will always remember.
Jhit was right when he said going back would be easier. I was feeling better with the drop in elevation, and each day, I felt stronger. We finally made it back to Namche Bazar. Felt I could finally enjoy an alcoholic drink, so me and Jhit had some beer and relaxed a bit. The next day, we were in Phakding, and we all went out to shoot some pool and have a few more drinks… I do like the Nepali Ice Beer!
The trip has been wonderful! Met amazing people along the way. Sat with a Chinese National, Russian American, and me, a Japanese American and wondering why it is that we can sit down and enjoy a meal and conversation, yet our countries can not.
Met other Americans, Indian Nationals and Japanese Nationals, and others all embracing their lives and being totally encouraging to me whether they knew it or not. My guide, Jhit and Porter, Krishna, were my rock and saving grace. They were always with me, making me feel safe and secure. They walked my pace and provided assistance when I needed it. What can I say, but I love them both very much. If it weren’t for them, I certainly wouldn’t have made it like I did. It was just that one night when I felt that I couldn’t breathe.
Well… Lukla, we did make it… horray! Didn’t really know if I could complete this. I’m so proud that I did! Mostly due to Jhit and Krishna, who were so supportive, comforting, and encouraging. I am so grateful for them. I feel like I died and have come out with a renewed spirit. I really suffered that one night and into the next day. I never felt like I was unable to breathe before… then your mind starts to play tricks and puts you in panic mode. I never have had anxiety attacks, but now I think I know what it’s like. Try as hard as I could… I was finally able to settle my thoughts and become at peace. I have learned so much on this trek. It most surely was not about the end… in this case, we reached the base camp but returned to the beginning. So, it truly was about the journey. It is what we learned along the way. I have learned that I can meet challenges and succeed in my way. I am stronger than I think I am, mentally and physically. I need others for help and support. I am worthy, and I am appreciated. Thank you, Jhit, Krishna, and Himalayan Scenery Treks, for making this happen.
Dream, Create, Inspire 