Everest Base Camp Trek Dispatch
October 10, 2011 – Team Members Have Arrived in Kathmandu
The largest holiday period of the year in Nepal, Dashain, a 10-day festival that occurs in late September or early October each year, is ending. The streets of Kathmandu are quieter than normal and the air is clear. Over the past few days our team has been arriving. It is hard to imagine a nicer time to visit Kathmandu.
We hit the streets of Thamel Monday evening.
Rupa, Wongchu and Min have been busy meeting our team members at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport. Bob and Jenny were the first of our team members to land in Kathmandu; they arrived on Friday the 7th. Bob and Jenny have been staying at the famous Thamel guesthouse, The Garuda. For 20 years climbing expeditions have been leaving their signed posters and photographs along the walls leading to the guest rooms of the Garuda.
Next came the Canadian members of our team. Larry arrived from Toronto via Hong Kong on Saturday, and Wally and Leila from Calgary via Bangkok on Sunday. Today’s Thai flight from Bangkok had Robert, Ryan and Bruce from California on board as well as Denio and Raquel from Brazil.
There were some travel weary faces from the long flights when we got together in the lobby of the Yak and Yeti hotel today at 3:00 PM. But the excitement of finally being together in Nepal after months and years of dreaming and planning overrode the jet lag. When the team members got the news about Ang Tembas’ report from the summit of Kala Patar this morning telling us that he, Domit and Lia had made it to the top on a perfectly clear day, the adventures that lie ahead for us seemed very tangible and immediate. Soon we will be walking in the Himalaya!
Meanwhile here in the city it some of us have been doing a sampling to determine which restaurant in Thamel has the best wood fired pizza. Tonight we tried “The Roadhouse”, last night Leila, Bob, Jennie and Larry tried “Fire and Ice”. The verdict is still out – perhaps we will have to return to make a the final decision after our trek.
Tomorrow we will be off to visit some of Kathmandu’s famous temples and sights. Our duffel bags full of warm clothing for the mountain and Denio and Raquel’s climbing gear for Lobouche Peak will remain in the hotel rooms at the Yak and Yeti and the Garuda for one more day while we try to capture some of the flavor of this fascinating city.
Bruce, Ryan and Robert came directly from their international flights to our team briefing at the Yak and Yeti
Bob and Denio at the briefing
Raquel, Jennie and Larry attentive at the meeting
Rupa relaxing at the meeting; she has spent most her time the past few days waiting at the airport; it is good to have everyone here!
Whatever you need, trekking gear, souvenirs, books, DVDs or a massage; it can all be found in Thamel.
Or Pizza… Jennie and Larry relaxing at Fire and Ice
The Roadhouse also has good pizza. We will have to return after trekking to decide which is best.
A colorful street in Thamel