by Phill Michael
Another interesting morning. I am
reminded of a Van Morrison song that
I used to play when driving from
Calgary, Alberta, Canada to the
Icefields Parkway to go ice
climbing:
There must be
reason for all this inaction
Does it mean that everything must
change
Sometimes I'm looking for perfection
When I'm waiting on, waiting game
When I'm waiting on, waiting game
Dawa was right on
time this morning...as per usual.
5am found us in the minibus...and
the airport greeted us at 5:30am.
More Chai tea for me and some
internet time in the transit area.
Things were looking just a
leeeeeetle wet and we were informed
that the flight was 'delayed' again.
Wating...waiting...waiting...
Waiting
All of a sudden people were rushing
around and I was being asked to
sprint to the gate before the plane
left. I've been in airports a few
times...so I knew that walking would
be more than sufficient.
Out into the drizzle I went and onto
the bus that would take us to the
plane. We sat on the bus for ten
minutes of so...then crawled over to
the plane. I noticed some very large
monkeys running around on the tarmac. I like monkeys quite a
bit...so I smiled a little smile. As
we boarded the plane I saw that Alex
was grinning like crazy. He was
getting a little tired of waiting
and he was
glad we were finally on our way.
(Click here to
view the video
"Boarding the
Plane to Lukla")
On the
Plane...to Lukla?
I
mentioned to Alex that I was
starving and seconds later a
friendly Australian women planted
some digestive cookies in my lap. We
passed them around the back of the
plane while the propellers started
to spin and ear protection was
handed out. We were on our way! Or
were we?!
No sooner were the engines humming
along that I noticed the pilot
shaking his head. He cut the
engines...and once again...Lukla
said , 'no go'. I was pretty sure
Alex was going to cry, but he
toughed it out. We were so close.
Back onto the bus we trundled...back
to the terminal...and back to the
internet cafe and our less than
comfortable transit lounge seats. At
11am they cancelled the flight and
suggested we come back
tomorrow...same time...same place.
We headed back to the Kathmandu
Guest House and got some more rooms.
We witnessed quite a demonstration
on the way back. I'm not sure what
it was about...but it wasn't
something one sees everyday.
(Click here to
view the video
"Demonstration")
We needed to relax with some
Scrabble therapy. We played Base
Camp (Alex and Chris) vs Summit Team
(Dawa and I). The game was so close
that we figured that we all won. We
were all feeling better and crossing
our fingers for a June 7th flight to
Lukla.
Scrabble at
Kilroy's
We are getting to know Dawa even
better. He couldn't be a better fit
for our team...or a finer person. We
are so lucky to have met him.
Alex suggested we go for a steak at
the Everest Steak House for dinner.
He also suggested I try the half
order of the Chateau Briande. I was
presented with the biggest steak I
have ever seen. There were gasps all
over the restaurant...which were
really a continuation of the
shocking way some other folks were
presented their steaks. Picture 3
foot flambé flames. Nutty. Chris'
steak was soaked in rum. He didn't
seem to mind. Half of my steak is in
a 'go' container right now...ready
for me to gnaw on in the morn. I
can't imagine what the full order
of Chateau Briande looks like?!
A Massive
Chateau Briande
Alex and
Chris enjoy some steaks
It's 1am right now...and June
7th in Kathmandu AND Lukla is
looking promising. Dawa will be here
in about four hours and the sky is
clearing up. I'm STILL looking forward to the
first day of hiking...but now it's
time to sleep...:^O zzzzzzzzzzzz
Click here to go back to our 2007
Everest Trek index page
