Saturday, May 5, 2012

Everest BC (D-16): It's not over until it's over

Lukla airport.  1,108 steps.  0.3km.

We didn't leave yesterday.  We were supposed to.  But the airport was shut down due to weather - here and there in Kathmandu.  We now got boarding passes (via Tara Air) after a lot of fight and chaos for the 10am flight.  No idea yet if it'll go, reach on time.  Fun!  I'm wearing Nir's Buddhist scarf and sitting by what's the gate.  The rest of the gang is downstairs - an extension of the gate that's labelled VIP room.  There's a small book stall and tea stall.  Actually, the Lukla airport is quite amazing.

It poured y'day shutting most things down.  There were choppers leaving - with nose down.  We had a super enjoyable lunch at a dhaba shack.  The kitchen had yak bones hanging by the stove.  They cooked fresh fish - the group started with 6 but soon the bones piled up.  :)  We were there for a really long time.  I had Chang - a local cold brew that tasted like buttermilk.

People have been waiting here for 3+ days in Lukla for their flights.  I spent the afternoon at the fake Starbucks place - did email and stuff.  They had banana nut muffins and very good black coffee.

Later at night, we unexpectedly ended up at the Irish pub that had purple tube lights.  Amit had Jack and Thatho paani :)  That Irish pub could've belonged anywhere.  There was a snooker table, tourists, a couple making out, flags from lots of countries.  Very interesting.  Would we leave the next day or not?  Who knew?  San Miguel was nice.

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We finally left Lukla (Amit was the most disappointed) and made it to Kathmandu flight almost on time.  

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