Is Anything on Time ???

Lukla Airport

Tight quarters but we did have a flight attendant who managed to hand out candies and earplugs before take-off!!

Hilary and Marcie waiting to board the plane........

Flying on a prop plane amongst the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains and then landing on the shortest runway in the world was apparently not challenging enough. Dealing with overcrowded plane terminal in Kathmandu, the comlete lack of schedule and general chaos of the hanger, the unique security checks
( please stand on this block while we pat you down??:S ) and the unsanity of the toilets proved to be the most challenging of the day!!

The end of the runway is a side of the mountain!! I could not watch, but here is a clip of this crazy landing.It's a 500 Meter Landing Strip. While we were in the mountains a plane crashed in to the side of the mountain when landing at Lukla and although no one was injured, the damaged plane still stood at the end of the runway when we returned to KTM. A bit eerie!!

Oct. 3, 2010. Rum Doodle

Sir Edmond Hillary. This is a name that is very famous in Nepal. The first and most famous conquerer of the beast!!He along with a sole Nepalese was the first to climb to such great heights as we now know as Mt Everest.

Here we sit in the Rum Doodle Restaurant that was frequented by Sir Edmond Hillary many years agao. My research proved to be correct. Don't drink the wine in Nepal. Stick with the beer. The Everest beer!The wine is imported and is synonymous with cider......!!!!!!! It was a great feast before our final briefing for the big climb. Nothing is constant but change. Some big changes to the program since we left Canada but it's on with the show. We're here and committed to go tomorrow on route to Lukla in a small prop plane with the smallest runway in the world awaiting us for our morning adventure.

I met the team that would lead me to Mt everest and really didn't comprehend the full significance and potential risks of the task that lay ahead of us. I am now a number: 22 and I have a single bag that will hold all my posessions as I climb to the top. Important possessions such as toilet paper which is not provided anywhere in the mountains!!

Anticipation Oct. 2, 2010.

It's a long flight from Toronto to Hong Kong. We had to take an extra trip to Bangledesh on the way to Nepal to drop off some much needed Red Cross food relief. It really is as you see it on CNN and then even more the reality of an impoverished third world country hits you. It's a cliche but as Oprah has said many times, once you've seen the tragedy, it is really hard to turn a blind eye. As a human being you have to do something.These people have every right to clean water and minimal standards of hygeine. People have asked if they can still donate to The Arthritis Society...I think it's time to donate to the people of Nepal. This will be my next venture and effort to make a change in this world. It just takes one person to make a difference. The power of one is very impactful.

Here is Laura awaiting the flight from Hong Kong to KTM. We lost 12 hours of a day as our clocks moved ahead. . Here are some pics of the 28 million people living in poverty I saw in KTM.It was hard to take a picture as this is the road structure as you see it...complete chaos with bikes and taxis driving straight ahead towards you. Despite this chaos, KTM is a very safe city. There is little crime and/or violence. Less than 20% of people in Nepal are Nepalese. The majority are Hindu with some Buddhists and other religions intertwined amongst the population.It is amazing that not more people are sick in this overpopulated metropolis.

Back in Kathmandhu

Just a quick note to let everyone know that I am healthy and safe back from the Himilayan Mountains. Nine of our team members did not make it to the top. Many got sick. This has been the most physically and emotionally challenging thing I have ever accomplished in my life.

I return to Canada on Sunday. I am very grateful for my Nepalese hospitality but I will not miss their 4 food groups. It is ever so challenging to bring food up the mountains by porter or by Yak. I will not be eating any of the 4 food groups that have sustained me for the past 2 weeks: white bread, white pasta, white rice and white potatoes. I am grateful for the sustainance though as I forced myself to eat these staples, I was one of the lucky ones that did not get sick.

I did get the Koomba cough but as I descended in altitiude, it has slowly disappeared.

I have been touched by the poverty in Nepal. They are warm, loving and kind people who are happy with very few material pleasures.

Will up-date with a multitude of pics soon.

Namaste,

Sandy.

I'm no longer Sandy I'm 22

We each have a number assigned to us, so the Sherpas can communicate easier. We had our briefing and will head out tomorrow to start the Trek.

Today was an interesting day touring around Kat , having lunch at Room Doola restaurant that Sir Francis Hilary ate at when he climbed Mt Everest.

We ventured over to the World Heritage Site In the heart of the city.The Durbar Square hosts many famous temples. It was quite the challenge negotiating the roads to get there that we took a rickshaw home , not withstanding it was quite the event negotiating the turns and constant traffic flow going every which way in a constant state of confusion.

The business will turn to calm as we head to the mountains tomorrow. I May not have internet access and I will post all my pics when I return.

100 Movies

Well I was able to see 4movies and 4 episodes of 30 Rock !!! Oh and I listened to Adam Lambert!

Yes, it was a long flight! Sitting in the Hong Kong airport you really feel like you are a long way from home.

We were able to get the emergency exit so at least we had leg room. Cathay Pacific was great!

We will be arriving in Kathmandu tonight Saturday night. We will have a day of rest tomorrow.

If you are planning to rent Get him to the Greek, I would not recommend it. I have no worries though as there are 96 movies for me to see on my way home.

Can you believe there is a Starbucks here? I'm having one as it will be all green tea from here.

There is every store you can imagine at this airport including a Starbucks!! I'm having one as it will be green tea from here on in.

Just in case you want to rent Give him to the Greek, I would save your money. It's in bad taste.I have no worries though as there will be 96 movies left for me to watch on my return.

Bon Voyage

I realize that I could not have done this journey without the support from my family and friends. It was my 89 year old father who convinced me that I should do it.From there I had so many people helping me and I am so very thankful for all your support.

I want to share some comments that have been given to me in my final preapration this week.

" Slow down and smell the roses, let the Sherpas do the work. It will be the trip of a lifetime."

"We should come home from adventures, and perils, and discoveries every day with new experience and character. "

" Dwell in Possibility "

The picture of the Angel is the one my new colleagues at work gave me to take up the mountain to keep me safe.

More importantly I have learnt some very important Nepalese words before I head off. Toomba means a Millet Beer and Chyang means a rice beer. The beer is the only alcohol you should be drinking in Kathmandu. I have done my research!!

It's suppoosed to be sunny and 32C when we arrive Saturday.

Namaste!