Tara VS. Annapurna

August 27 2006

And we meet again! All kinds of things have transpired since I last wrote. Friday past was officially mine and Jeannine's last day at Bal Mandir. Jeannine flew back to BC that afternoon so she was super sad saying goodbye to all her kids. Her children were old enough to understand that she was leaving to go back to Canada so they were all very sad. One little boy even hid away because he didn't want to say goodbye. It killed me to watch. I knew that I would be in the same place in about 10 days so I felt her pain. It was heart wrenching.

So, Jeannine left Friday, August 25 and Gasing and Kayun left yesterday, August 26 to visit family in Hong Kong then also to go home to BC. Therefore, I am flying solo once again!

So, originally, I was supposed to fly to London today but I extended my stay in Kathmandu until September 5 so that I could go trekking. I think that it is a shame if I head back to Canada without trekking through the Himalayans! So, I am going to give it my best! Monsoon season is the worst time to trek but I am packed and ready to go regardless! Not a thing has held back from doing anything in Nepal yet so why stop now!? I arrived back in Pokhara late this afternoon by flight. My guide and I have a flight to Jomsom tomorrow morning at 6am. That is where the trek begins however this flight has been canceled the last 3 days in a row due to rainy and cloudy weather. I only found this out after landing in Pokhara - so obviously this is bad news - not what I wanted to hear after investing my funds into this once in a life time adventure. So I am keeping my fingers crossed and praying that all will work out and we will arrive in Jomsom tomorrow as planned! The idea is to trek from Jomsen back to Pokhara. This is in the Annapurna mountain range. We will start trekking each morning between 6am- 7am and will trek for 6-7 hours per day. The estimated time before we get back to Pokhara is about 6 days. The trek can be done is fewer days but that really depends on me and how fast I can walk! My pack is 12kg's - this worries me a little because my neck, shoulders and upper back have been bothering me lately. My guide has offered to take 3-4 kg's for me. I packed as light as possible yet my pack is still fairly heavy! On the third day of the trek it is all uphill and quite difficult so I think I will hire a porter to carry my pack for that day. I may have to hire a porter for other days as well if my back gets any worse.

I have no access to phones or internet throughout my trek. I won't be back in Kathmandu until September 3 - that is if everything goes as planned!! So, I just wanted to give you all an update so that you know why I am not writing. I will fill you in on the outcome of my Himalayan adventure as soon as I have internet access!!