by Phill Michael

Dawa's Home Town

Sweeeet electricity!

As I look down into the valley from Gelu's father's house and see hundreds  of points of light above a sea of clouds, I know that everyone is enjoying the hydroelectric power as much as I am. Dawa is slumbering near the fire while it burns in the hearth and hundreds of other happy Sherpa are too...for as far as my eye can see.

This is truly a magical place. Shangri La! =^)

Pure Peacefulness is being enjoyed in the Village of Goodness...I can assure you! =^)

The Goats of Shangri La

I am taking advantage of some unexpected electricity. It flows through into Dawa's village from 7pm to 7am...on most days.

I'm also chowing down on Sherpa Stew right now. Good stuff. %^P

Who knew Gelu was a Master Chef?! He's been in command of the kitchen for the entire day! All the women of this extended family are up in the hills...tending to the cows. Once again, I am reminded that this is definitely not Kansas. 

Master Chef Gelu Sherpa

I hope to spend part of the night processing images and video...and getting some more updates towards being posted. It's a very time consuming process...and I've got a great deal of catching up to do. I hope the remainder of the night involves sleeeeep! I've been having excellent dreams during this trip. The kind of lucid dreams that one doesn't want to be torn away from by consciousness.

I have to admit, it's great to be re-connected to the world via my laptop and satellite modem. It's amazing what a difference a little bit of electricity can make!

Connecting to the World by Satellite Modem

We've walked over hill and dale this last little while. Since Thursday, we ascended 7000ft and descended about 3000ft. That was mostly in heavy rain over MUDDY animal trails...through corn and rice fields...pine forest...spruce forest...mountain passes...steep creeks...above tree line with the Yaks, etc. etc.
Thus far (since Jiri), we've ascended about 13000ft and descended about 9000ft.

Outstanding...from end to end! B^)

I slept in a little cow shed the night before last with 5 other people and 22 Dzo and cows. Definitely a unique experience that I relished.

Gelu's father's house...here in the village... is much more comfortable...and simply awesome! =^)

Gelu and Phill on the Porch

The people find me to be an interesting TV show and they can't believe I am here. Dawa claims that the last Westerner/tourist to visit this village was a  Botanist...over 20 years ago! %^o

I keep asking different people (via a translator) when was the last time they saw a Westerner/tourist. I get the same answer every time. NEVER! 

Dawa's Father's House

Dawa was cruising around 'town' today...as well as inspecting his father's house. His father is sick at the moment and in another town. Gelu's father (Dawa's brother) has been running around with him. Prior to our meeting at the cow sheds, they hadn't seen each other for five years! Like Dawa, he has a truly genuine and happy spirit.

Phill and Dawa's Brother (Gelu's Father)

We walk out of this village tomorrow...for two days through the leech infested fields and forest...probably in the rain...then I hope to fly out of a remote airport...back to Kathmandu. If all goes according to plan, I'll be in KTM for two days...Bangkok for four days...LA for 3 days...then flying back to the Rockies to guide some awesome people on a glacier trip...and then a river trip. The same old boring schedule...as per usual. %^]

The Long Island Iced Teas and Everest Sized Mashed Potatoes, at the Claim Jumper in Irvine, are now becoming closer to reality! I've got a few miles to travel before that.

I had better go stoke the fire and continue slaving away at my electronic grindstone...

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