Heading to Everest

As some of you have noted, delays in posts results in pictures being displayed from latest to earliest. Sorry about that! But until I get this figured out, you must suffer with me!

I'm at the Hotel Shigatse and it's about 8:30 a.m. Sunday (Saturday to you). At 9 we leave for Shigar, which is at the cross-roads of the Freedom Highway and the spur to Everest. We'll cross at least one pass on the way which is in excess of 17,000 feet, and we'll get our first glimpse of Everest in the distance.

Shigatse is a bustling town, far more so than Gyangtse was. Both towns are experiencing substantial growth through the infusion of Chinese money. Mostly infrastructure (sewers, high-rises, apartment complexes, etc.). The towns are on the high Tibetan plateau. Farming is everywhere, and the farmers conduct their business mostly by hand using centuries old methods. Wooden pitchforks and gleaning grain using the wind. Once we left Gyangtse, it was back 200 years into the past.

Shigatse has a supermarket! Each of us did a separate foray there. The result: 20 pounds of Oreo cookies. Ugly Americans!

Beginning this morning, we are descending into very rural areas now, so my next post may be from Kathmandu, Nepal. If possible, I will upload again from Shigar tonite.

Ciao!