Final Trek Day ... Good Karma

 So, I can honestly say I started my day with the WORST coffee I have ever had in my life.  😂.  I choked down almost the whole cup. 

But I needed that boost to get going and find out if “easy-peasy” was an accurate description of today.

 

Spoiler Alert: I wouldn’t say easy-peasy LOL, but I would say a million times easier than yesterday. 

 

Yesterday I wanted to gouge my eyeballs out whereas Today was a pleasant yet very rigorous workout.  I don’t think I ever had that light-headed feeling.

 

Far fewer stone steps and mostly a rough, rocky road that we walk on.  Bidur gave me the option of a bit harder path and I politely declined LOL. 

(Sidenote: Honestly, while I am SO glad I am on the trek, I have been away from home for three weeks now and I am truly ready to be home.  I am now counting down the days.)

 

Today is the festival day to honor the cows.  How fun! I LOVE the way Nepali culture and people celebrate so much and so often.  I have said it before, but it is worth repeating.  They recognize and celebrate so many of the important things in life.  

And here is where I realize I no longer have my glasses.  HUH?!?!?

 

I remember having taken them off at one point because they got steamy.  I remember holding them in my left hand.

 

Somehow, they were no longer in my hands and no longer on my face. UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

(I thought back to when I last had them.  Darlene, it was when you and I were texting, and I sent you the picture of the guy on top of the truck.  I had to be wearing them to send you the message.)

I could walk okay without them, but my biggest concern was what would I then do once we arrived at our destination.   I wouldn’t be able to read anything.

 

Ok. Wait. I packed an extra pair.  And I even packed a pair of emergency readers.  But as it turns out I left them accidentally at the hotel in Kathmandu.  What a dope!  

 

Bidur, Sujan, and I search high and low.

 

Sujan walks back down the trail to look – no luck.

 

Bidur and I walk back down the trail.  I turn around – no luck.  Bidur keeps walking down.

 

Probably 15 minutes later here comes Bidur.  I don’t see anything in his hands, and I am already trying to figure out what I will do when he holds up his arms in victory.  YAHOOO!!!!!!!!!

 

In the interim a group of porters had been headed down while we were walking up.  Apparently, they noticed Bidur was looking for something.  They asked him what and he told them.  After Bidur had already given up and turned around one to the porters came running back up to him with my glasses.

 

OMG!  We couldn’t believe it.

 

I still can’t believe it.

 

Back off we go … happy, happy, happy.

It wasn't two minutes later and we happen on a very basic home up on the side of the hill and the woman starts speaking to Bidur in Nepali.  He says to me, "She wants to know if you have any headache medicine."  Ahhhh, I do.  I pull it out of my bag and give it to her. You would have thought I handed her gold.  Then she speaks again to Bidur and he translates, "Do you have any medicine for gas?"  LOL. and in fact, I do. I also give that to her.

She and the elder man at the home thank me profusely.  She even says, "Tata," and giggles.  So sweet!

I ask permission to take their photos.

Few things to note here:

1.  The woman straightened out her necklace so she looks nice for the picture. That just tickled me pink.

2.  She doesn't smile for the photo even though she had been smiling all along.  But this is a trend I notice all throughout my trip. Almost to the person, kids nor adults, they do not smile for photos.  No judgment, just pointing it out.

3. Bidur immediately commented that I had a chance to pay back the good karma from the porters finding my glasses.  It was my pleasure.

Today's walk really is pleasant.  Just hard enough of a workout to feel energized and burn some serious calories, but also just enjoyable.

We don't come across as many groups of kids because we stayed on a "road" that bypassed a couple of the villages.

We did come across a few groups of older kids and that was a first.

These small purple flowers litter the ground.

These gorgeous purple flowers were outside of another lodge where we stopped for, yup, tea.

This open area was a first.  

Today's destination and the final trekking stop - Dampus. The largest of the villages we visit.

As we arrive we come into a large group of teenagers in front of someone's home/shop and they are dressed in traditional clothing and dancing for the festival.  Yes, they drag me in. LOL

Love this contrast of old and new worlds.

We continue on to our lodge.  

Very nice room, all things considered.  

Fabulous views from the lodge - the valley spreads out below with hills and more...

I enjoy a traditional Nepali lunch - Dal Bhat, plus sides.

Nap time!

Dinner is Momo - Nepali dumplings.  YUM!

This evening, Bidur tells me, the local adults will come to dance and sing for us as part of the Tihar festival.  (He said I would have to offer them more money than the kids.  I had already figured.)

How much you ask?  1500 - 2000 NPR = $15.00 Seemed like a small thing.

Of course they drag me into the fray. So fun!  But it was even more fun once Bidur and Sujan join.  Sujan had quite the moves!

It feels so special that I was in Nepal during one of the most important festivals.  I really experienced Nepal!

"Tomorrow", Bidur asks, "do you want to walk for 1 1/2 hour or have the car pick us up at the lodge?"

I think we both know the answer 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂