Chito Chito

Day 13, and as predicted yesterday I have a lie-in this morning. Its not that I don't want to get up at six a.m., honest, but my legs are a little shaky after the long walk yesterday and I have no energy - it seems Snickers can only keep a guy going for so long before real food is needed. So, after the 'wake up tea' another three hours sleep is in order, followed by a leisurely breakfast while we wait for those who did manage to pull themselves out of their sleeping bags to return from the climb.

Once we do set off, we're heading steadily downwards - the high altitude is still a problem so the speed isn't high, but the climb down the hill into Duglha is great, especially when passing groups struggling upwards. That's what we looked like just two days ago!

We finally learn the phrase 'chito chito' - Nepalese for 'quickly quickly' - as we begin to pick up speed and we reach our next stop, Pheriche, mid-afternoon.

On day 14 we arrive back in Tengboche after a tortuous walk through the snow (the weather has finally changed: its snowing and the paths have become extremely slippery). Each day the monks at the monastery gather twice to chant - once in the morning and once in the afternoon - and we make our way over to the monastery for three o'clock to sit and listen.

 

Later on, back at the lodge, it appears that the appetite is back to normal. Just in time too as this is the place to try the local specialities of Snickers and Mars Pies. They are both pretty good, but I'd have to go with the Mars variation as my favourite - like a cross between a profiterole and a deep fried Mars bar. Mmmmmm.