"subzero" because it was really cold, and "tenboche" is where i thought i was going to die last december.
i captioned this picture like this in my kodak online album: in this room i had my first ever panic-attack. i woke up in the middle of the nite and couldn't sleep. it was so hard to breathe. i took off my socks and thermal and still didn't feel good.
that was the highest and furthest we were going on that trip, my first time in nepal. i guess the air was far too thin for me and all of a sudden, the sleeping bag became too warm and too tight. i felt so uncomfortable i had to get up and get out of the room. and as if that wasn't enough, i went out of our "hotel", ignoring the fact that it could be dangerous out there on a cold, quiet night. i just had to breathe.
other than this little episode (which nearly took my life), the trip was beautiful. the trek was good, the company was fantastic, the scenery was magnificient, the mountains were huge, and we were so tiny. when what stands before you is one huge mountain, all you can do is take a deep breathe and tell yourself: you are so lucky you're seeing this.
and then you look at the people and you wander: how do they do this? my students come to school thinking that i owe them the world. these kids walk two hours to school each day and they only start school at 10 am because they need to do some chores at home in the morning. i went back to school and told the few nepalese in 4e5: you are so lucky to be here. arn't we all?
side note: thanks quietnorth for reading my posts and for sharing the little story about you and your father. since you're not going to get any information regarding vesak day by reading my previous posts, i'm going to extract this bit from http://www.sg/explore/people_festivals.htm
"The Buddhists observe Vesak Day, which denotes perfection and commemorates the birth, enlightenment and Nirvana (liberation from earthly passions and desires) of the Buddha. Vesak falls on the full moon day in the fifth month of the year. The occasion is marked by chanting, recitations and offerings at shrines; the ritualistic bathing of Prince Siddartha's (the earthly name of the Buddha) statue; the practice of vegetarianism; and the release of captive animals. Temples are also decorated with flags, lights and flowers, and vegetarian meals are served to those present."
We have eleven public holidays per year here in Singapore: Chinese New Year (2 days), Hari Raya Puasa, Hari Raya Haji, Vesak Day, Deepavali, Good Friday, Christmas, Labour Day, National Day and New Year's Day - it's 2 per ethnic group, and 3 for all :)
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