Sucha at the Thamo Monastery
“Rest” day in Namche! We started out at 8 am for a lovely acclimatization hike to the Thamo Monastery (called a monastery, but for women). The nuns take in girls from around the country, giving them a home and education. It is a beautiful combination of very old and very young practicing peace and continuing the tradition of Buddhism. The nuns blessed us with a protection ceremony and also blessed individual trinkets many of us brought from home, reminding us of loved ones past and present. I personally brought a ski pin that was my fathers, a St Christopher charm from my dear friends Serena an Glenn (this belonged to Serena’s mother, who has also passed), a little note from my sister Vicki , and a tiny little unicorn lego girl from Nathan and Alex (I’ve carried with me since Aconcagua). My good luck charms are even luckier!
I also tried a traditional hot drink called Sucha (powered milk, butter, and salt), against the GREAT warning from Casey. I should have headed said warning. It barely touched my lips, when my gag reflex kicked in. I held it together, but had to eat an entire ProBar and slam water to get the horror out of my taste buds. It was some rancid/fermented beverage you have to grow up with, I suppose, to tolerate. I did NOT pass that toughness test. Scott, the fireman, on the other hand drank it down without even a wince. He won (or did he?)
After visiting with the girls and receiving blessings, we headed back to Namche for lunch, reorganize gear and enjoy our last evening in the big city (and try to figure out how to seriously sneak a puppy to base camp in my pack. Could I make her a little down suit out of one of my down booties? I brought needle and thread. Hmmm)
New nicknames inducted today:
1. Mark is now “Heavy Set” – Mark is tall and extremely lean. He could definitely drink whole milk if he wanted (Napoleon Dynamite movie reference). He typically orders the LARGE breakfast, called the “Heavy Set” at the Sherpa Lodge. That boy could eat all day and burn it all off
2. Derek is now “Matador” – He showed NO fear when coming face to face with a line of Yaks meeting us on the trail. Now, Yaks are NOT the same as cows or jopkoyos (which you can safely navigate around). Yaks don’t give a shit and will knock you over. Derek made it through the confrontation alive! Total #everestsavage
About the author : Kim
