A rest day in Dingboche allows for a window into the day to day lives of the Sherpa. Laundry being done in a bucket of soap and cold mountain water. Washed laundry spread about on rocks and shrubs. Trekkers gone and the work of cleaning up begins. Floors are washed, dishes are done, floors swept clean. Outside a ray of sunshine is found and a pot of tea enjoyed.
Black crows sail along the thermals, yaks wander about looking for shoots of grass. A yak herder yells “chuh” to move his herd along. A frisky puppy steals a shoe and runs off with his new find. Porters moving heavy loads hanging from the head and down the back are slowly moving up.
Clouds begin to build and steal the little warmth offered by the sun. A woman with a young child scavenges the landscape for yak dung to dry and burn in the evening fire. Workers laugh and banter about in Nepali. Each knows his task and does it efficiently, to ready the tea house for the next round of trekkers who will soon arrive.
A column of smoke arises from burning incense. A helicopter arrives to drop supplies for a climbing expedition. Climbers chatter about the weather and when they might have a weather window to insure success.
Soon a cold wind blows in and trekkers begin to arrive. A fire in the kitchen offers a place of warmth and conversation. Piles of food are ordered and hungry hikers begin to replace the calories burned in the trek to this elevation. Pots of tea come from the kitchen, everyone seeking a source of warmth.
Tomorrow we head back up to Chhukung and continue our trek towards Everest Base Camp.
Namaste
WanderJill
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