Trek day 1!

So today was a very very crazy day.

    We woke up in Kathmandu at 5:50AM to catch a flight to Pokara (only twenty minutes long)  Kewal,  our guide picked us up from our hotel to go to the airport. The plane was a propellor plane and could hold maybe twenty people. In the air I've got to say it was a little nerve racking because of turbulence but not too bad because that's when I got my first glimpse of the Himalayas. I saw one of the 8,000 meter peaks Mansulu. There are only fourteen 8,000 meter peaks (the tallest ones in the world) so that was cool. 

 

     We landed in Pokara and grabbed our bags and went to a jeep that that would take us to where we would start hiking. We also rode with our two porters that would carry most of our things to tea house to tea house. The car ride would be three hours long and here comes the 'fun' part. 

 

     The first part of the ride started low and paved which was okay, minor bumps, etc. We drove higher and higher and it was kind of scary looking down because at some points you were kind of on an edge of a cliff. Then about half way through the ride we turned to a road that was not even close to paved and was ridiculously bumpy. From there we drove higher and higher and the 'road' was very narrow. At points a big passenger bus would drive past us and it was very scary and unbelievable how it could fit. Keep in mind that on one side of the road was going up the mountain, a wall, and the other side was most of the time a steep drop. We were that way for about an hour and a half. We were rocking back on forth constantly. I was so thankful when we got to a little restaurant where we would stop, scariest car ride of my life. Also thankfully I did not get one bit car sick, if I was I would've been completely miserable.

    Once we got to the small restaurant this cute puppy followed us around and I named it Lunu. I wanted to keep it, so adorable.😍 I ordered fried rice and while we waited we taught Kewal how to play UNO. While we were playing five other Nepalese people came over and watched us and helped Kewal play. One of my favorite parts of the trip so far. The restaurant had nice views too. 

 

      We started to trek and today would be short, only about two hours. We walked on a stone path and climbed stairs most of the time. I saw cute chicks, mules, cows, dogs, a cat, and tiny birds. Very fun to watch. I also watch the locals literally run up the hill in flip flops, wow. We took two breaks and the views are incredible. Everything is just so big and tall. We then arrived In a villiage named Ghandrok and are staying in a tea house called Peaceful Lodge. We arrived at only 2:00pm, crazy day and it's not even over yet. Then that's where I am now, it's pretty amazing to finally be here!

 Porter carrying three duffel bags

~Callie