Everest Base Camp (May 4-5)

After a rough short night in a shack in Tingri, we started climbing this hill. Our mood was modest since we thought that Mount Everest is not visible these days.... ...but wait a minute...!

...one more minute... ...no way.....
...how can this...?
...we were above the clouds!

Starring the gang on a casual Friday morning.
Since the scenic spot was already so crowded, Tsaxi drove us up the hill to enjoy an exclusive VIP view.

Zoom in fella! First encouter with the highest mountain in the world: Mount Everest (8848m /29,028 ft)!

The team.

http://www.myvideo.de/watch/1576433 can only slighty picture the craziness of our driver. Somewhow you must have experienced it yourself. Picture below: school kids doing public work...

...such as cleaning the streets once per week. That is also a Chinese tradition which was introduced to Tibet.
Privacy please!

Traffic jam on the Everest Highway? Quick gear shift from no. 4-2, sharp 90 degree left turn of the steering wheel = 4x4 heaven is reached and we are in ecstasy.
This was our view from the Everest Base Camp onto a cloudy scenery. The tourist tents were relocated 4 km further downhill due to the pollution.
Yak Close-up.

Dan making friends with a long-haired, blue-eyed babe..
We were disappointed. 5000 km of travel from Beijing and no view of Mount Everest?
...and then it started snowing up on 5200 meters. Tsaxi told us that there is only little possibility to see Mt. Everest the next day. Time for some business...

Shortly before spending the night at the highest altitude ever experienced: 5200 meters. I had a major headache, ohh weee.May, 5th. After getting up we could not believe our eyes!!!! Mt. Everest showing its total beauty. Even a local can be at fault sometimes..luckily!


Mt. Everest and yaks.

Ha, caught the outsider.
Still life.

Mission completed.
Fly so hi' in da sky.
First Mexican pioneer at Everest Base Camp.

Let's race to Tingri (May 3)

Pedal to the metal and off to Tingri. http://www.myvideo.de/watch/1576338

We picked up our tour guide that we had to take with us due to the "political accident" I was writing you about in a previous e-mail. You should basically prevent us from doing things out of the political line..and tell us something about Tibet! There are also hundreds of small stone piles and even houses made from flat rocks fitted together. Many Tibetans believe human souls wander the world for 49 days after death before being reborn. Inside the rock houses are cigarettes, money, even liquor functioning as a brief shelter for the soul, and supplies for the next life. The rock piles are places were the soul is supposed to rest.


Tons of prayer flags.

Cruisin...
This is actually the check point where our tour guide was supposed to help us get through...
... yet since Tsaxi knows half of the people in Tibet he handled the issues!
...and we arrived in Tingri 50 km before Mount Everest.

Facing Everest.

Spicy food battle. Chili eating score 3:1 for the foreigner. She will take revenge in Beijing.