Back to Civilization

We awoke today to find that the skies had cleared - it is amazing how as technically advanced as we have become nature can still triumph over us. But this morning, nature is on our side. The flight home was surprisingly uneventful - the fear we all had on the flight in is gone and in spite of knowing that taking off from the "most dangerous airport in the world" is as dangerous as landing there we are all calm and looking forward to returning to the chaos of Kathmandu. I have promised the others that I will have a shower that lasts for at least 30 minutes and we shall see. A lot of my gear has been donated to the Sherpas - an act of generosity to be sure but I will be honest and say that I was convinced that the smell of trekking would never be truly removed. We have had such an amazing journey - the Monks, Everest Base Camp, and of course summiting Kala Pattar. Our laptops are filled with amazing data and I have been to the highest mountain in the world - a dream of mine since I was a young boy learning about Tenzing Norgay for a school report. I wonder if I shall ever return to this amazing place?

Our arrival into Kathmandu is a drastic contrast to the mountains - the number of people, the noise, and the confusion is almost overwhelming. The comparison of the Kathmandu Guest House to the lodges we have been staying in is almost surreal. I will sign off now as the long shower I mentioned is calling my name and then a very, very long nap.