Slaying the Sheep in Mongolia

Reflections @ 6 Months
Thank you to everyone who wrote to me recently, I realize now that I projected an image of being quite pathetic a few days ago! I’m back in Kathmandu, looking at spending a week here as I wait for my India Visa to come through. I made the mistake of not beginning this process before my trek and am now faced with numerous days of queuing, waiting, queuing, waiting, and hopefully I’ll have a visa in my hand on Friday. Several people I met at the embassy had this turn into a multi-week saga. There are definitely worse places to be than Kathmandu. There is a great traveler vibe, an abundance of western comforts like book stores and coffee shops, perfect weather and cheap food.

Thanksgiving Day Delights
I spent Thanksgiving in great form – wrapped around my toilet all day and night with a violent attack of both vomiting and diarrhea. It was the perfect storm of giardia, food poisoning and a bad cold. I have to admit I’ve had a great run of over six months of no major GI (gastrointestinal) illnesses, generally eating and drinking everything placed before me. I’m now spending a few extra days in the Nepalese town of Pokhara, a chill, lakeside village with all of the standard traveler amenities. I’m popping a full-suite of antibiotics and trying to muster the courage to put something non-liquid into my body for the first time in over 48 hours… Fortunately I have a good

Update from Annapurna
Hi Everyone. I haven’t been on a computer in almost 16 days which must be the longest amount of time since I was 11!  My trek has been amazing. I safely navigated the 18,000 foot Thorung-la pass despite an early season snowstorm and frigid weather. I’m hiking with a great group of people and we’re now on our way out, crossing through citrus fields and rice farms, reminding ourselves to turn around and look at peaks behind us. I’m in great health, enjoying the slow pace of hiking, staying at tea houses and appreciating the cultural aspects of this region. Its also been an incredible opportunity for reflection, digging into some subtle aspects of being t

Annapurna awaits
Friends. I’ve been in Kathmandu now for almost 4 days. 1 day turned into 2 and 3 into 4. I had hoped to catch everyone up on my adventures through Tibet, but ultimately I have run out of time. You’ll have to make up your own stories for now from the photos I posted… I didn’t realize how exhausted I was until I got here, but am feeling much better after loads of good food, some massage and plenty of sleep. A few personal issues from home also left me quite emotionally drained, and in combination with the hectic travel schedule I was running on empty. This is the first city I’ve spent more than 3 nights in since Indonesia, over 2 months ago! Tomorrow mornin

People of Tibet
Amazing photos taken by one of my travel partners in Tibet, Maaike more about "People of Tibet", posted with vodpod