Phakding
October 27, 2016
Namaste Family & Friends
Yes, today, I was kicked by a horse. But, I digress.
I woke up early, but I was so happy that I managed 7-hours of sleep despite the jet lag. Our flight from Kathmandu to Lukla was scheduled for 7 am. As usual, it was delayed, but we were in Lukla by 9:00 am. The Lukla airport is rated as one of the most dangerous in the world. As many times as I have made that 30-minute flight, it always provides a white knuckled thrill, especially the uphill landing on a short runway that ends at a mountain wall. You don’t want to overshoot that runway.
We had an excellent breakfast at one of the tea houses and started our move to Phakding around 10:30 am. The first day was an easy day as we descended from Lukla at 9,383 feet to Phakding at 8,624 feet. The trek is 8.5 miles and I clocked 24,102 steps according to the monitor on my i-Phone. We enjoyed a perfect, bluebird day, and the Autumn scenery was absolutely breathtaking. I have provided a few photos as proof. We are staying at the Mountain House tea house, which is very nice.
David and I visited a Monastery in the afternoon. It is just above Phakding and is reached by scaling several long flights of rock stairs. On the way back to the tea house, a local man passed me on the right side as I was on the dirt trail. He was pulling a horse, which was obviously tired, stressed and unhappy. As the horse passed me on the trail, he side-kicked me with his back leg, landing a pretty good blow on my right hand and upper leg. Fortunately, like the horse, my hide is pretty thick, so I didn’t suffer any damage, although I have a little soreness in my wrist. I guess I should have kicked him back, but it was a hit and run and I was too shocked to react quickly (just kidding, I wouldn’t harm an animal).
Tomorrow, we trek to Namche Bazaar, which is my favorite village in this region of the Himalaya. I’ll have more to say from that venue.
Everything is going just perfect. Sometimes I feel like I am living in a dream and I don’t want to wake up.
Bill
David & Bill in Lukla
Tea house
Trekking trail
Phakding
Local farm
Porter
Autumn in the Himalaya
Autumn in the Himalaya
Autumn in the Himalaya
Autumn in the Himalaya
Suspension bridge leading into Phakding
Stone Manti & Stupa
Stupa
Dudh Kosi River
Farming
Monastery
Monastery
The horse that kicked me
Bill … Many thanks for sharing the wonderful pictures. You are (in fact) living a dream … one of your own making. Enjoy and please be extra careful.
Your pictures are great sounds like you are having a great time enjoying yourself after your unbelievable departure watch out for horses they do have a way of doing just what they want to do Stay safe
Bill,
We’re getting a “kick”out of your posts! Pakding and Namche–two fabulous places to spend an extra day. The pictures are a throw-back treat–good memories. Blessings,
Rick
Bill I can’t thank you enough for just being YOU! Your clear humor and love of life are contagious and warming to the soul. God meant us to have your spirit of faith and love of all things living. The photos are fabulous and share with all the spirit and beauty you are willing to bring to us. Thank you and stay safe..and away from nasty tempered animals.
Wish I were there; God is an artist.
You definitely need to write that book; just cut that horse some slack. It got up on the wrong side of the barn.
Here’s a title suggestion: “Why I Missed the World Series”.
P.
Not funny that your hand is sore, but the entire horse story literally made me laughed out loud. I pictured you kicking the horse back (though I know you would never do that). Funny though.
I’m so amazed by your accomplishments. This is great stuff. What comes to memory is the verse in the Bible that says, “I came that you might have life and have it more abundantly”; this is abundant life! Way to go Burke-san.
Stay blessed, stay safe and keep ’em coming!
Rivera-san
Awesome pictures! Bill, thanks for again sharing another great adventure. Looking forward to seeing more pictures.
Blessings, Weldon and Carleen
Hi Bill! Just catching up with your blog now-lots of good stuff to read- a few thoughts here because I missed commenting on the other posts:
Loved your sister’s letter and also Lisa’s ( very well written) post- it’s just so obvious how loved you are!
You are an amazing individual. I’ve never met you in real life, but am always so inspired by you/your life-the struggles and the accomplishments that you’ve shared with us here; your positive spirit and loving heart, your strong faith.
Your humbleness.
And humour! That horse! OUCH. But also, funny. 🙂
I am hoping that you have a wonderfully exciting adventure at your second home, climbing Burke-Khang. Praying for a safe return to your first home. 🙂
Thank you for all the news, and pictures and… just for being you.
Sincerely,
Judy Petersen
Nice to see that the monastery has been built back up from last year when we visited it…I always look for the special young boy with six toes on one of his feet!
Enjoy Namche!
John
The photos bring me back to the time Amy and I joined you! …I will return someday!
Bill, I am so glad that the horse grazed you, with that kick, and did not break any bones in your hand. I was even more happy to know that, at least, he did not strike you in the ribcage area!
Godspeed ahead.
Alana