I SEE MOUNTAINS!!!!

After days of hiking we finally started to see the mountains!!!!

I was amazed at how beautiful I thought just the snow capped tips were peeking out. It was strange to pass through so many small villages for the fist week of hiking and then come to Namche-Bizarre, a "city" in the Himalayas, full of good food and coffee! Fortunately, at this point we started to have to slow down and shorten our hiking days so we could acclimatize properly (perfect time to get our fill of tasty food before we headed to Island Peak). I had acetazolamide (Diamox) in hand, ready to take for altitude sickness, but Tom, Liz, Tyese, and I didn't need to take any the whole time we were trekking.    

 

In the markets in Namche

Highest Illy coffee house in the world, yes!

These were posted in the bathroom just in case you got confused....yep.

On our way to Dingboche...

Us in a nutshell

One night I woke up to this (Other than Periodic Breathing, having to pee multiple times throughout the night is a normal "reaction" to being in high altitude. its really, REALLY annoying at least I had some pretty epic views)

*sigh* shes is out of control, hahaha

At the summit of Chukhung Ri, a day hike that turned out to be a little higher/longer than expected. 
 Two of my favorite moments:
First: When me and Tyese 'raced' for like 20 feet the first time we hit 16,000 feet...bad idea, really really bad idea. Moments after I wasn't sure if I was going to die from lack of oxygen or if my heart was going to explode.
Second: almost to the top, everyone was freaking out a little....Tom "I'm a little concerned about Tyese she looks as if she is conducting an orchestra with the way she is flaying her arms and body as she hikes"
It is said to have amazing views, but we were in a snowing cloud the entire time....good training for the future days to come I suppose... 

Side story of Liz's 'starstruck' moment with our friend Lydia, whom we seem to bring up in conversation everyday since we met her haha.  Lydia: First women to summit Everest (solo might I add because her expedition pulled out at the last minute) WITHOUT OXYGEN. Holy Moly....she is so cool. Slightly intimidating, full of good advice, really strong arms, cool New Zealand accent, and likes veggie mite on her Tibetan Bread in the morning. At that moment Liz reverted to a 12 year old and asked at the perfect time for her picture...I'm not complaining. AND she is hiking Island, the same days at us...

Lydia in the pink

On the way to ISLAND PEAK!!!! More photos to come hehe