We are now at 2710 meters, in a place called Deurali, between Kathmandu and Lukla. We will trek on foot from here to the regions around Mount Everest. In fact, it was high time that we left Kathmandu.  The city is paralyzed with riots, strikes and political demonstrations. At this height though, there is peace, tranquility and fresh air, lots of it. After many a difficult months, we can finally relax and enjoy the beauty around. Having had to spend the past few months in unhealthy polluted air, our lungs had no doubt been infected. Here, there are no cars, and every one’s on foot.  The landscape is just fabulous and beautiful. Good thing that the Nepalese people are so nice and fond of laughing.

But fresh air does not mean that the weather has been good. Normally, April would be the ideal month to visit the places up here, but this year, the rainy season has begun far too early. It’s pouring frogs!  When we go up the mountain, it feels like climbing a mud hill.  During descent, we have to be very careful. It can be very slippery.

Interestingly, we were in the middle of an enormous cloud-burst today. We weren’t able to see our own hand in front of our face. We even had to descent on all fours, both hands and knees! Covered in mud, we were barely unrecognizable!! What would seem like a nice regular walk, suddenly turned out to be a real struggle for survival !

We also have to be very careful of blood-suckers, not fictional vampires but real ones.  They fall down from the trees ! 

At night, we have to sleep on dirty attics, accompanied by only rats and mice !

We will now move on to Lukla.  It won’t be easy. It is certain that we’ll find some Maoist rebels on the way.  The rebels tax EUR 60 per person for entry into the region. In return, they give you a receipt so that we won’t have to pay more than once in a trip. We hope to use our female charms to get a deduction on the fee !