A Little Sad It's Almost Over

EBC trek days 10 and 11: you know that you're nearing the end of the trek because the yaks start changing.  Purebred yaks get uncomfortable at lower altitudes; their heavy hairy bodies much prefer the cooler temperatures of the high mountains.  Most of the yaks you see at lower altitudes are actually a cow/yak hybrid called a dzo - and by the time you start seeing them again they look downright exotic.  As you leave the cold, rocky terrain of the high Himalaya, you transition through an area of low brush before re-entering forest lush with rhododendrons and evergreens dripping with moss.  The dry air gives way to heavier, moist air.  It suddenly become warm and more humid and it's not long before your hiking in short sleeves again.  The walk back from Lukla from Pheriche takes only two days.  We spend the night in Namche Bazaar, which feels like a luxurious, cosmopolitan city after days living in smaller villages and more primitive tea houses.  The next day's walk to Lukla is exciting and challenging - there is one (very big!) last uphill before you arrive in Lukla, which serves as a reminder of how hard you've worked to complete this trek.  Just the act of walking into Lukla feels like a victory!  Upon arrival we re-connected with old friends who joined us with a celebratory cup of tea.  We flew out early the next morning, getting one final look at the mountains from the window of our tiny plan, before touching down amidst the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu.  It was a great trek, but a little sad it's almost over.