Episode 005 Shave and a Haircut, 12 Patches

Looking good is half the battle. Lhawang said that every step brings you closer to the top of Everest. Well, I guess some steps are smaller than others. Today is the final day we're spending in Kathmandu, and it's a day full of little steps that are all part of the journey. Ben has a day of beauty at the spa and then we head on over to check on the team patches. This poor embroidery shop owner has worked straight through and completed all 12 patches--3 days of work by his account--in just over a day! I was so excited when I saw the first completed patch; so much detail, truly a form of art. This guy eyeballed every stitch and I could watch him work for hours. He made it look effortless.

That evening the entire Nepali and American team members join together to celebrate the official beginning of the expedition. We step on over to a traditional Nepalese restaurant and enjoy some of the finest food I've ever eaten. I don't really know any of these people besides Major and Ben, and I especially don't know their language. But I have to say that I trust them and can see that THIS IS WHAT THEY DO. They are all climbers-it's in their blood. Everyone laughs the evening away and enjoys themselves. I don't think you could ask for a better group of people to spend the next 2 months with. It's exciting to think that by this time tomorrow evening we'll be in Tibet. I'm excited and apprehensive at the same time. Kathmandu has been amazing and it's going to take some time before I can digest everything I've seen and experienced here. But Tibet...Tibet is going to be life-changing.

Jon Miller

Total Running Time: 19:20

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Jon Miller

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