fulfilling a dream :: a pleasant surprise

for as long as i can remember.....which is usually in the 3-4 hour range....but no seriously,
for as long as i can remember, i've always wanted to see chomolungma (tibetan for goddess mother of the world). or as is more commonly known in the west as mount everest. tomorrow, i start a 15 day trek which will take me from lukla, nepal up to kala pattar (elevation of 18,560' above sea level), the main viewpoint of the world's tallest peak. if i have time (and energy....and oxygen in my lungs), i'll try to see everest base camp as well. but i'm told you don't really see much, and at the fork in the trail, head higher towards kala pattar for a better view. so i'll be offline for the next 15 days (although i heard there's internet at namache bazaar along the way. crazy...but i'm not counting on it), trekking to see the world's highest peak at 29,035 feet above sea level. i'd love to see the view from the top, but even i know my limits. plus it is december, and that would be absolutely nuts to go up there.

but before i leave kathmandu, i had a pleasant surprise this morning. at the tibetan refugee reception center where i'll be volunteering, there was a groundbreaking ceremony for a new female dormitory building. i was fortunate to attend this event which was made possible by a kind donation from the u.s. government.

here's ambassador john f. moriarity eating cake on the rooftop of the new building. didn't get to talk to him since after cutting the ribbon, he took a few bites of cake, sipped tea, and then was off. but i did meet a staff member from the office and i asked her if i could get him to sign a tibetan prayer flag for me. she said she'll see what she could do.

here i am with some of the tibetan staff i'll be working with after the everest trek, and the volunteer coordinator who will be heading back to england at the end of the week. guess who the english lady is.

but i'm excited to volunteer at the refuge center. i've already heard so many sad stories of crossing the border from tibet which i'll share in the future. they have to cross the himalayas in the winter since chinese patrols are more prevelant in the summer. it's mostly done by foot depending on where they cross. if they're lucky, the entire trip is by van, and they make it to kathmandu in 2 days. most trips take 4-7 days, and some have even taken a couple months. stories of frostbite, amputation, famine, and the fear associated with leaving home and their parents are common. but on the brighter side, they're enthusiastic about art, and here are a few examples of their work.


but back to the present, today i prayed to the tibetan prayer flags

and to the tibetan prayer wheels for a safe and wonderful journey.

pretty selfish to not wish for world peace, but what are you gonna do. i look forward to giving reports of my trip around christmastime.

to all of you, i wish a happy holiday season, and a merry Dónde está Ché Pelotas?