Tatopani is Heaven

Greetngs from the lower realms my friends! Bout 4000 m lower than Thorung la, which was the last posting, on Christmas eve. We've walked from the land of snow and ice, down thru the confirs, and now are surrounded by banana trees, tangerine groves, and monkeys, apparently (tho I haven't seen any in person yet). Soaked in hot springs and got a massage today... i won't even try to describe how wonderfull that felt, nothing like 14 days of walking thru the mts to make one appreciate the luxuries!
Speaking of walking, the last few days have been long ones, 6-7 hrs on the trail/rd, but so very beautiful and ever changing. As we pass thru the different climatic zones, the cultures change as well. Up high, people live in stone houses, chinked with mud, or whatever is available, and heat with small sticks, twigs, kerosene, whatever they can find. Dress and culture is very Tibetan in nature, as is the religion, Tibetan Buddhism, gompas everywhere, prayer flags blowing in the ever present winds. Down lower, there are more trees, fewer yaks, and lots more water (at least the unfrozen variety!). The culture is more of a mix of hinduism and buddhism, even saw one place with both a temple and gompa within the same complex. Lots of interaction and acceptance between cultures here, making it really elusive to say exactly what it is that constitutes being Nepalese. A very diverse and colourful place!
Here in the lower worlds, its much like India, from what I gather. Different dress, different foods, many more vegetables available, and yes, way, way warmer!
Taking a rest day today, then manana we climb back up 3000' to start our trek to Annapurna base camp. Be about 10-12 days before we are back in relative civilization, in Pokhara, n I'll write you all again from there. Base camp is said to be most amazing for the mt views and extrememly cold this time of year, from the adiabatic cooling, but hey, we're used to a little chill at this point, eh?? ;-)