Saturday, May 5, 2012

Everest BC (D-13,14): How it feels to touch a yak's skull

Dengboche - Kyang Juma.  24,284 steps, 8.2km.

It's been an interesting day.  The fact that the show is about to get over is settling in on everyone.  A winding down state if you will - much like Samadhi.  Jayanti took over the kitchen today and cooked egg curry for everyone.  Spicy but yum.

I had an amazing Kriya today.  Outside the window is Ama Dabalam.  Spectacular.  Went very deep during meditation.  I do think it's the mountains and higher altitudes.  It was the second longest trek of the trip but because we were descending, it became easier to breath.  It didn't seem that hard.  The mind keeps going down to the plains and the imminent tasks ahead.  I guess it's the same for everyone.

The rooms here are very nice.  The restaurant is full of pics of where the owners have traveled to.  She came and spoke to us - her manner, diction and accent - much like the Nepalese dal we ate a few times -- puzzled out of shape by constant interactions with Western travelers.

We have two short days ahead - about 4-6 hours each.  I had a veggie burger, cake, 2 coffees (yes) at the Lavazza place at Thyangboche.  It's funny how wer crave for the mundane - depending on what is mundane and for whom.

I keep looking at the many Sherpas - their moderate to small frames are able to carry and walk with incredible weights - doors, windows, bags, utensils, jerry cans, gas cylinders, chickens - anything.  They even chat on cell phones and have a steady foot while descending.  Simply amazing.

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Kyang Juma - Monjo.  16,435 steps, 5.5km.

The morning started in very interesting ways.  I got up at 5am and saw the sunrise in all its amazing glory.  Did a lot of photography.  Very enjoyable.  The walk itself was terribly boring :) - too short, too long.  Getting down to the plains seems odd, funny, awkward.  Just called home and learnt about Ahaan's latest antics.  Fun.  Seems like am in Mumbai or elsewhere in the plains.  I can hear the Dudh Kosi in the background - a gentle reminder that am still somewhere in the Himalayas.

The most interesting thing today - was I guess - the skull of the yak that I touched and examined.  I touched its molars, put my hand through the nose and felt a perforated like layer.  It was all rough and smooth at the same time.  Everything was shaped to perfection without requiring standardization or symmetry.  Once you get past the grossness of it -- it's actually very beautiful.  The horns were surprisingly of the same texture as the rest of the skull.  It's dead and gone.  No body.  No skeleton.  Soon even this skull will be dust.  One day all of us will be thus.

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