Our Trek Begins

Today is day one on the trail (Jiri to Shivalaya) and the scenery is already beautiful, witnessing of village life is interesting, the feeling of remoteness is already setting in.  We saw four men carrying an ill family member on a stretcher, hours from the nearest small clinic plus another day in a vehicle from a proper hospital. 

Brook had his second bout of crying homesickness last night, apparently triggered by the “foreignness” of his immediate surroundings at bedtime; by the awkwardness of not knowing how to perform routine procedures in that extremely basic so called bathroom.  But he was fine this morning and had a great day today on the trail.  He moved faster than anyone on the down hills and enjoyed himself.
- John