Once again I must comment on the propensity of time to take flight and disappear, leaving in its wake a confused population wondering where it’s gone. With barely any warning, except the fact that it happens every year, the first three months of 2013 are almost at an end.
And you know what that means don’t you?
Kathmandu and Everest Base Camp are now only two months away! That’s 8 weeks on Monday!! That’s 59 days!!! I’m down to counting the days.
I’ve made the final payment, I’ve got the E tickets, I’ve got the accommodation vouchers, I’ve got most of the gear, I’ve even got bright orange bag tags from World Expeditions making it easier for their representative to spot me at Kathmandu airport.
Friends ask if I’m getting excited and I am. The thought of the amazing scenery that I’m going to be seeing, the iconic Himalayan mountain range with its snow capped peaks, the exciting but ever so scary flight into Lukla and my ultimate destination, Everest Base Camp where sixty years ago Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay prepared for their ascent on the summit. Yes, I’m excited.
But I’m also heading into the unknown, an unknown culture, and that worries me a little. Will I be able to cope? Until last year the Indian sub continent had always been on my list of places I didn’t want to visit. The thought of the less than sanitary conditions, the strange food and the chaos and the confusion, the ‘foreignness’, all so alien to my western upbringing and sensibilities, had always sent me in the totally opposite travel direction.
But there Mt Everest sits, with one foot in Nepal and one in Tibet, daring me to approach and that approach takes me through Kathmandu.
Kathmandu is going to throw the lot at me – the sights, the sounds, the smells, the dirt, the dust, the lack of western sanitation. It’s going to challenge me like I’ve never been challenged before. I know this so I guess I’m going in forearmed and, as I’ve just been reminded by Steve over at Around The World With Steve, all of those things may be out of my control but I have total control over my attitude. Let’s see if I can utilize that control.
travelling bag 
I’m excited for you!
Thanks Jo, I enjoy sharing with you.
I visited Kathmandu few years ago, and I really miss that place it’s amazing.. Himalayas are the most beautiful landscape I’ve ever seen in my life. Good luck! 🙂 Maria
I am so looking forard to the massive scenery, can’t wait 🙂
Wow Pam it is amazing that you are now so close to going on this trip of a lifetime. You have worked so hard to prepare for it I wish you well, and I look forward to all those fabulous photos and following your adventure. Hope you find internet connection over there and have time to post now and again, otherwise I will just have to wait till you get back home to tell us your stories…!!!!)
It just doesn’t seem real Pauline, it only seems like yesterday that I was booking this trip and that was 9 months ago! I’m not sure about the internet connections but you’ll definately be hearing all about it when I get back and you will be inundated with photos 🙂
Good one mate!!! lokking forward to it 🙂
I’m excited for you Pam, looking forward to hearing about it!!
Thanks Baz – really appreciate your support.
You should not worry much worry Pam dear, India was occupied by England for many, many years. We are not too foreign to you westerners. Most of us actually speak your English Language and we welcome your visit to KTM.
Thank you so much for your reassurance Hitaishi, how lovely of you to welcome me. I am really looking forward to meeting such lovely people.
Life is what you make of it. With your attitude you will make this a wonderful adventure.
Thanks – it’s certainly going to be an adventure!!
Its so close now!!! I cannot wait to read all about it!!!
Closer and closer ……
Looking forward to seeing all the photos and hearing of your adventures xx
Thanks Viv – I’m sure I’ll have lots of things to write about when i get back 🙂
You must be so excited. I wish I could be joining you, rather than to have to wait until October. I am desperate to get up that mountain now, although realise that I have LOT more training to do it I am going to survive.
I really can’t wait to hear about your adventures as you go along. I’m really interested to also find out if blogging along the route is at all practical.
Just had a friend come back from the trip three weeks ago. They went a couple of eeks before the season started, and experienced lots of snow. The photos were amazing, although she admitted it was very hard indeed.
Enjoy this brilliant trip ……… and keep in touch x
Patience Keith, patience! The time is going to fly and you’ll be heading up that mountain before you know it. I’ve been mulling over the whole idea of blogging while I’m away and I’m wondering if it might be too much of a distraction. I don’t want to get stressed over the thought of having to write something and then deal with the technology a million miles from nowhere.
Don’t worry, I’ll keep in touch 🙂
Your adventure is going to be here soon – it sounds amazing!
It’s hard to believe it’s come so quickly 🙂
Whatever apprehensions you may have just remember, we are all the same in our hearts.
Very true – thank you for that 🙂
It will be a fabulous trip. I was really worried about being overwhelmed by it all, but it’s been fantastic. Just make sure you have hand sanitizer with you, a sun hat, a warm hat and a camera!
Thanks for the tips – and the confidence booster 🙂
You’ll love every minute. Add baby wipes to the list of essentials, make sure your boots are worn in and that you have a warm sleeping bag. I’ve been twice and I’ll go again. There are Internet cafes en route ( but the service is slow and pricey). Apart from my camera, I tried not to use technology – it feels right not to.
Enjoy.