Yesterday was our Puja, a time for celebration but also reflection.
The Sherpas are very superstitious people and don't like being on the
mountain unless they have the expedition blessed by a Lama. We have
been lucky in that all the Sherpas visited a Lama in Pangbouche and
were therefore happy to venture on the hill before yesterday.
We all sat around the altar of rocks that the Sherpas had built up.
The old Lama sat in the middle of us, he read from an ancient
parchment and sat chanting in low tones, offering rice and also Chang
(local rice beer) to the gods. Around the Puja altar we have gathered
some of our equipment that will be blessed and keep us safe on the
mountain. It sounds quirky but it's a very moving moment. At the given
sign we all join in the chant and the Sherpas raise a wooden pole into
the middle of the altar which has lines of pray flags attached to it.
This is very carefully attached for if this falls over it will mean
very bad luck. The really nice thing about the Puja is that its all
fun. One can talk through it (in slightly hushed tones) and the end is
a celebration of life, one that's full of joy. We all pass round bits
of choc bar, biscuits and cake that has been specially made. Everyone
ends up covered in Tsampa ( A sherpa flour) but especially on the
face, this is done to maintain long life and luck to the one being
covered. There is also a fair bit beer and Chang floating round and
there were a few thick heads in the afternoon.

Lifting of the pray flags
.
Today is our last rest day before we go back up the mountain. Our
plans have changed slightly due to the dangerous nature of the
icefall. We have decided to spend a longer period of time up high in
this trip and then dispense with a second trip, thus reducing the
number of journeys through the icefall.
The morning has be spent chilly and getting our gear together. I
sloped off with some friends and went ice climbing in an amazing cave
in the lower section of the ice fall.
Tomorrow will again see a painfully early start and a climb back up
to camp 1 and then the following day to camp 2. It will be hard for
me to update from camp 2 (no computer) but I'll try and send Guy a
short message via sat phone and he can update to keep you all
informed.
That's it for now as I have to pack for the next few days .
Remember its all about having fun!!
Kenton
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Victor Saunders
email: victor@basecamp.co.uk
web:
www.basecamp.co.uk
blog:
www.everytrail.net/blog/victor
skype: victorsaunders
phone: +334 5055 9198
cell: +336 7029 0828 (France)
cell: +4477 0415 2237 (UK)
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