Tomorrow we go

Off tomorrow on the supposed "express" bus to Jiri, which is only supposed to take 7 hours or so (compared to 12 on the normal one). We shall see. (Update: 8.5 hours actual time)

All the particulars have been pretty much finalised. We got our porter cum guide through a group called Himalayan Humanity. His English is very basic, but he seems like a nice guy, and that is really what we want. I don't need a full on guide experience, just someone to help with the bags and the general route. Himalayan Humanity seems like a pretty good outfit. They apparently pay their guides/porters better than others and support improving their conditions. It was a lot easier to deal with them than some of the other companies I talked to.

On the equipment side, we planned to buy jackets and sleeping bags here, but ended up doing it a bit differently. We found Shona's (up from Utse, on the other side of the street in Thamel) which has their own stuff made, and it seems to be of better quality. We ended up buying down jackets for 3500 Rs each and renting bags for 45Rs/day (about 75 Rs to the USD). The other nice thing about Shona's is that you don't have to bargain (fixed price). Very helpful and friendly service too! (Update: Jackets were great on the trek, as were the bags. Very satisfied)

Next post will be from????? Namche???

Update...not quite. My daughter woke up at 11 pm on the night before departure vomiting and with a fever (food poisoning?) so the departure is delayed two days. As of today she is better but now I have the runs. I think we have to get out of Kathmandu to get better so Friday am it is.....until it isn't.