Its just before 11am, I'm sitting in my room in Tengboche 3860 metres elevation. I might climb a nearby hill this afternoon just to get past the 4000 mark. This is as far as we come. When I first looked out the window I had a view of Everest. It has clouded in now but the clouds are swirling so I might see it some more today and should tomorrow.

Without even getting out of bed!! This morning was cloudy and after breakfast we set out from Khumjung along the side of the valley. Along the way bumped into a couple guys I had seen at the viewing area in Namche a couple days ago. Andy Rankin and Jonathan Gingham from Wisconsin. After meeting Andy and Jonathan (great name btw), we descended down heaps of stone steps to meet the Dudh Koshi River again. Down is not so good on these old knees. Going back to Lukla could be a bit of fun.

Wow wow wow wow wow!!!!

Up at 4:55 and a brisk uphill walk to the viewing area of many ranges and peaks.

The sky was beautifully clear. I was told later it hasn't been like that in weeks. Thank you Lord. We can see just the top of Everest poking out behind the Lotche Range and about 25-30 kms away as the crow flies. Can you believe it? My camera battery is almost dead.

Took a few on the tablet for immediate uploading but better photos will come. Took some pics with Pat and Mike and met a guy from Cypress up there too. We stayed till the sun hit us which took a long time to make it over the closest range. I could see a spectacular view back down the valley I have come up the past two days. Even saw a plane coming in to land in Lukla. It's now just after breakfast and I might have a bit of a nap and then go for a small explore around town again.

My day started too early, well I never really made it to sleep for one reason or another.

A little after 5:15 we had a frantic journey to the airport where it seems like a bit of a circus to get on our plane and not miss it even though we have tickets.

The plane must have had about 10 people and a stack of luggage. I was sitting on the left side under the wing with an amazing view of the Himalayan Range. The camera couldn't do it justice thru the plane window. The last 5 minutes of the flight we thread our way into a steep and narrow valley and suddenly we are flying towards the side of the hill. In front is a runway I estimate to be about 100 metres long.  It is fairly steep upwards. We hit the runway hard and roar along it towards a stone wall and pull up about 10 metres before it. Guess the pilot had done it before, I watched a couple take off as well as one other land.

It was noticeably cooler with the feel of alpine or mountain air. We wandered along a track above the top of the runway and stopped for tea and breakfast in one of many simple restaurants come accommodation houses.

SELFISH GENEROSITY

To be described as generous is for me a very high compliment. And at times I have been told this. However I believe I live an oxymoron in this regard. I am happy to give, but on my terms. I am happy to sacrifice, a little, yet still live comfortably. I am happy to compare myself with my peers who I consider to have more or live more extravagantly.

I left my home culture in 2004 and made some sacrifices. Over the ensuing years I became comfortable in my level of sacrifice and generosity. Now what should I give? I don't know. But I have been convicted recently that I am too caught up in seeking my own comfort. As Blaise Pascal said, "All men seek happiness." That is our natural bent.

What is my motivation in being generous? What is yours? I fear that often I seek the applause of men rather than the unseen applause of heaven. I want to pour my life out as an offering.

WHERE'S WALLY?