Leaving is hard to do

Tuesday, 29 April 2014 Even our bags were packed early in the morning, there was no way to make a quick getaway from Pangboche. First, we had to pay all our staff at Nima Tashi's house. Each one came up, received his pay envelope and offered his thanks. More katas were exchanged and more beer consumed. Later, Jim and Nima Tashi made the long reconciliation of other trip expenses (e.g., food, porters, yaks, fuel). It required more stacks of bills -- high finance, Khumbu style. Finally, it seemed like we could start our walk to Namche. Not so! More tea, more blessings and more katas were required. Then, we made a final run up to Tashi's lodge (repeat tea/blessing/kata cycle). I put all of this under the heading of "Wandering the Khumbu with Jim". Becayuse he is so close to so many families, I get to see a side of the area that would be invisible to a normal trekker. It is a great honor to be welcomed by so many people. A little before noon, we took off down the trail. Jetha ran ahead to Namche to sort our final details with the Sagarmatha Polution Control Committee. Although it was lots of downhill and uphill, the air felt thick and rich. We rolled into the Panorama Lodge after about five hours. Our bags were not so lucky. One set (mine) arrived late in the evening. Jim's arrived early the following morning. Both of us got showers (the first in 3 weeks), but I got clean clothes. Jim? Not so much. Tomorrow, we make the quick trip by helicopter to Lukla and then wait to see if we will get our flight to Kathmandu. Lots of love to our family and friends. Posted by: Scott Williams Please consider providing support for dead and injured Sherpa: TheJuniperFund.org Blogs by other members of the expedition Shane - http://HeartHealthyEverestClimb2014.blogspot.com Steve - http://Wetumpka2Everest.blogspot.com Jeff - http://www.highpeakadventures.com/high_peak_adventures/web_log/web_log.html