Well, everything on our calendars are just "mile posts" on the road of life; they zip by so fast and leave us with just memories some good, and some bad! We need to fill our calendars with more happy events and events that teach us new things and make us learn more about our humanity and how we are all connected! I always learn from my various trips around the world, and one conclusion that seems to reinforce itself every time I leave the U.S., is how blessed we are to be living in a country of plenty, a country of order, a country of laws and a country of peace! Every time we start criticizing our country, we need to get on the plane and go somewhere far where things are different then and only then we can appreciate what we have!!
In this trip, I saw poverty, I saw chaos on the streets of Kathmandu and I saw natural wonders in the Himalayas! I also saw people working hard to earn a living such as the porters that carried our heavy bags and the guides that trek back and forth between Lukla and EBC to earn a living! It is a humbling experience that will last a lifetime! We are all the same, though we may look different, speak different languages and pray to different gods, we are all humans with the same feelings and needs trekking through this life towards our final destination: death! Just like Peru, Ecuador, Brazil, China and Japan left a mark on me, Nepal left another mark! I love the simplicity of the people of Nepal and their strong will to live a dignified life! Our tourist money does create a lot of jobs in Nepal and I am happy to have contributed my share to that! I will continue my adventures around the world with a goal to learn more about myself and my surroundings and appreciate what I have been given!
Since we live in a time of bean counting, I thought it is ok to share my Fitbit numbers with you all:
For the last 12 days, the numbers are:
295,000 steps made
2100 floors climbed
137 miles trekked
45 hours of continuous exercise!
I lost 8 pounds and 8% of my body fat !!!
I lost 8 pounds and 8% of my body fat !!!
I will be recovering for a while so no treks anytime soon!
Whatever these numbers mean is not critical, however, one thing is for sure "this trek" is one I would recommend for anyone who is looking for a physical challenge! This is a test of endurance at altitude and one needs to be ready for it! Altitude sickness is very serious and many people abandoned their trekking because of that. I was lucky not to experience any symptoms of the sickness!
I leave this place, wowed by nature and humbled by the shear size of the Himalayas and the resilience of its people! I forever will remember our guides, our porters, my trek-mates and the people of Nepal !!!
I leave this place, wowed by nature and humbled by the shear size of the Himalayas and the resilience of its people! I forever will remember our guides, our porters, my trek-mates and the people of Nepal !!!
Victory at EBC
My wonderful trekmates and guides!
Flying high at 17,000 ft above sea level!
