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Folkways Institute hosted this Elderhostel.
From Lukla we could see fallow fields on the plateau. Our guide took us
to his home for Yak tea. Yum-m! The strong drink was made from a black
tea and flavored with salt and yak milk. |
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Our cooks hurried ahead with fuel to heat water
which they fetched at the site in those large lightweight aluminum utensils.
They carried more than their weight in equipment and supplies after we
reached a height where the yaks were no longer used. |
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Sagamantha Park museum was a long steep walk on paths carved
above Namche on the mountain side. Sir Edmund Hillary worked to save Nepal's
trees. He quickly realized that although trekkers helped the economy they
also demanded more heat which rapidly depleted the forest. |
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In Namche's bazaar vendors displayed grains, which they
carried up steep trails. Buffalo, chickens and goats were herded up the
trail and were slaughtered for sale. A buyer couldn't ask for fresher
meat. |
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Walking across the river was scary sometimes.
This bridge was solid as few others were. Most swung across chasms protected
by prayer flags hung on the tenuous guard rails. |
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The Milk river was crossed by many bridges. We skirted this
washout that occurred when an earthquake breached a lake above it years
ago. Japan developers lost material and pulled out of the region to open
a hotel on safer ground. |
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Snow fell during the night we stayed near one
of Sir Hillary's schools. We woke in 20 F. Our well-clad feet made deep
paths in the snow but our Sherpas wore only sandals and stayed inside.
We sang and danced with Sherpas in a teahouse until the trail dried enough
for safe walking for the barefoot guides. |
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This child had his own basket in which he gathered
and carried leaves to mix with the human waste on the upper end of the
garden. |