Nepal: days 4-5

Woke up at 5 a.m. to only wait six hours at the Kathmandu airport when they finally announced that all flights to Lukla - the entry point to the Everest region - were cancelled. Apparently there was too much fog for any airplane to land at the one-of-a-kind airport. The next day I took the 45-minute picturesque flight in a tiny airplane, sitting right behind the pilots. I was able to see the hair-raising landing over their shoulders. The airstrip is short and abruptly ends into the side of a mountain. If the brakes went out I'm sure we'd be a blurp on the news about a plane crash with no survivors.

Once out of the aircraft and bags in tow, lines of Nepali porters, or sherpas, waited for me outside a chain-linked fence for my business. Since I'm trying to prove my manhood I'm choosing to haul my own baggage, and not just my mental issues. Hopefully I'll make it after days of strenuous hiking to the 17,600-foot Everest Base Camp.

The first day of hiking seemed a breeze. The scenery was remarkable, as expected, and I ended up as the lone hiker staying at a lodge in Monjo. The next day brought me back to reality. The three-hour hike was mainly uphill, crossing steep rocky steps and high suspension bridges over rapids. I decided to stop at one of the major thoroughways, Namache Bazar, located at more than 11,000 feet. It was probably for the best since I could hardly catch my breath at times during the hike, partly due to actively dodging Yak poo on the trail.

At Namache, I took a room for 200 rupees, or about $3. The room was basic with no toilet but the windows overlooked the village, which clings from the side of a mountain. I could even view a waterfall cascading roughly 2,000 feet from another mountain.

The village may be touristy but traditional life goes on. Sherpas transport goods in and out along the trail, locals tend to spinach crops and livestock. As for the children, who are too young for school, amuse themselves by running about outside. No video game generation here. I even saw three kids riding the same stick down the trail and having the time of their lives. I assume they were imitating riding a donkey or something. Let's see the chubby, couch potato youth of the U.S. enjoy simple outdoor surroundings like these kids.

I've picked up random supplies here, including a sleeping bag rental. I'm ready to move on. Not sure where the next internet access will be. The villages along the trail try to cater to hikers but they can still be primitive. Namache, however, is a bustling village and even has a sports bar playing football on TV. Too bad it's English football, though.