Day 4: Dharapani to Chame (6,102 ft-8,758 ft)

Goal number 1, making it to Manang.

Separating out the bran from the rice kernel, with baby overseeing.

Not sure if we're getting used to the 6-8 hrs of trekking a day or if the environmental conditions on this leg are improving (easier, less rocky terrain and fewer landslides) but we finally feel we're hitting our stride, making the Lonely Planet recommended trekking times, and generally enjoying ourselves more. We reached the acclimitization line (the line where most folks start feeling the effects of the high altitude) of 8,250ft+ today and I'm not sure if it's in my head, but I do feel like it's a little harder to breathe with the thinner air. The climate and landscape has changed to cooler alpine forest and reminds us a lot of Yosemite and the Sierras, but then we're reminded again of where we are when we see troops of common langurs swinging from the trees or mule trains sharing the trail with us with their colorful headdresses and heavy burdens (mules and human porters are the only form of transporting goods up in the mountains as there are currently no roads beyond Bhulbule). Before dinner we decided to check out some natural hot springs that some Israeli trailmates told us about. About a 15 min. walk out of town, across a bridge, was a concrete tub that lay flush up against the river. Although the water was only about a foot and a half deep, the water was warm to ease our achey muscles as we stared out at the powerful raging river next to us.

Another interestig anecdote I've noticed is how the tables have turned from one country to the next. In many parts of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, Steve used to get lots of attention for being the white foreigner. But here in Nepal, I seem to be the roadside attraction and all eyes are on me for looking like a local, but not dressing nor acting like one. Although I had some people mistake me in the other countries we've visited as native to that country (I've been mistaken for Vietnamese, Cambodian, Laotian, and Thai) almost all Nepalis think I'm actually Nepali. I'll take that as a compliment as Nepalis are some of the warmest and genuine people we've had the pleasure to meet.