We are not yet in amongst the high Himalayas but we are enjoying an exquisite time in the foothills whilst we gently acclimatise. We are the guests of a Sherpa family that we have known for 16 years. A Sherpa family that has welcomed us into their home and shared their lives, their culture, their home and their fine, homegrown food with us.
Their home is perched on the hillside looking out over a valley of woods and terraces a million miles from the tourist sites and trekking trunk routes. Here in Loding the land is farmed as it has been for centuries. Pumkins, corn, cucumber, radishes and potatoes grow on the terraces whilst cows graze the pastures.
All these homegrown, delicious products get served up to us three times a day as we ramble, relax and reset our body clocks to Asia. Tsampa and nak cheese omelettes for breakfast, dhal bhat for lunch and a medley of exotic vegetables and potato soup for supper. It is going to be hard to leave.
Chirri, Neima and Pemba took us on a walk up to a wooded ridge today where we paused on a pasture studded with gentians, ladybirds nestling beneath the hawks and crows that hunt and scavenge in the thermals. Below was the town of Junbesi and beyond that the valley rears up to the snowy peaks that guard the giants. Everest, Lohtse and Nuptse will all come into the frame in the next few days.
But here in peaceful Loding we are honoured to be at the home of Sherpa Brothers in their little part of paradise. Thank you for making us so welcome and sharing a snapshot of your family’s life in the forests and foothills of the still distant brooding giants.
