Her Majesty, Sagarmatha
Ah, behold. Mt Everest.
Let's just get right down to business.
Yes, the flight was a success. I actually saw Mt. Everest (AKA Sagarmatha by the Nepali people) with my very own eyes.
Hard to describe the feeling but for sure it was surreal.
For decades Nepal had held a place in my heart. Not obsessively, not with a desire to summit, not even as a "bucket list," thing, but with a curiosity, mostly about the Sherpa, Buddhism and the people who climb.
I had always thought it would great to go but I had never specifically planned on it. Then one day in December of 2021 I was scrolling Facebook and a group I am involved with, Together Women Rise*, had posted that they had a couple of cancellations for their Nepal trip so spots had become available. I just off-handedly mentioned it to Gene and he immediately said, "You should go," and I thought, "Yes, I should," and here I am.
I may have said this before but I ever since I first heard of Tenzig Norgay, the Sherpa who summited Everest with Sir Edmund Hillary, I have loved the sound of his name. Don't know why - I just did, and still do. For some reason that just grabbed my interest. Plus, the images of prayer flags and the spiritual component of the lives of people who live in that region. It all just fascinated me. I have watched many movies about Mt. Everest and read books, etc. I was mostly familiar with the climbs, good and bad, but my interest in thee country and its people has never waned.
Now that I am here I am gaining a much broader appreciation and understanding of the Nepali people. It's simultaneously fascinating and confusing. Lots and lots of ethnic groups, very many different languages, Hinduism and Buddhism are not that straightforward and the two are interconnected in many ways, but I am learning.
But Actually seeing Mt. Everest is something I had never even thought a possibility.
Thank you, Buddha Air, for offering the Mountain Flight.
The flight begins promising and the mountains come into view ...
The Himalayas in all their glory.
Of course we will be "sightseeing" in Kathmandu and other regions of Nepal, but also we will be visiting some of the grantee organizations who have received our support. THIS is what makes me so jazzed for this trip. Meeting the people in Nepal makes this a much more personal tour. Plus I like the idea of being with like-minded on the trip. All of the ladies on the tour support the cause.
Gulson picks me up and takes me to the hotel to meet my group. Our first official get-together is not until this evening so I spend the afternoon enjoying lunch and lounging poolside while I write a blog post. Maybe you are someone who wouldn't waste of minute of sight-seeing but I am someone who very much needs some down time while travel so I can absorb and process and I have seen and done. That refreshes me to get ready for next adventures.
Our introductory dinner at the hotel is enjoyable and I can tell it's going to be a nice group.
Tomorrow, the tour begins ...
Mount Everest even with a blurry finger pointer - WOW! How is the altitude where you are? You’ve been eating the local food and drinking beverages, but I’m guessing none of it has affected you. Great! Awaiting your next post… SQ
ReplyDeleteThe elevation is not a problem at all. While I certainly have been eating and drinking, it has been nothing off the street. so far so good. The food has been fantastic. More to come …
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