Hey Everyone!

Annie and I are back to civilization here in Kathmandu after 20 days trekking the Nepalese Himalaya. I think Annie O will agree with me that the trip met or exceeded all of our expectations and has to be the top highlight of everything we've done thus far. I shouldn't speak too soon though, as as we're headed out, with friend Scotty Rokis, who dropped in on us from India, to spend our Thanksgiving on the Bhote Kasi, one of Nepal's most famous white water rivers. Thanksgiving indeeeeeeed! Before headeding out we wanted to wish everyone back home and abroad the very best this Thanksgiving holiday - may your time be spent surrounded by laughter and loved ones.

Talk again soon, to catch up on China and the haps here in Nepal.

Love you.

I'm writing with Annie watching over my shoulder from a remote town in Lower Mustang Province, Nepal called Marpha. This is the closest this country gets to Tibet outside of forbidden Upper Mustang territory). It's full of Tibetans and their cultures. Very interesting how that land has bled into this country...more like it's interesting how country borders were drawn without regards to cultures and the people
who inhabited the lands. OK, more later, but wanted to let you all know that we're really enjoying ourselves, we've crossed Throng La..the 5400 meter (over 17.5K foot) pass and we're on our way down...oh, until we go back up again to the Annapurna anctuary - should be a blast. Ten more days until we're back in contact.... hope all is well with you. We think about everyone very often, post again soon.

It's hard to believe that we've made it all the way through China and didn't post once, I feel like time is speeding up. China was amazing, a bit of a shock at first but then it completely grew on me. We arrived in Beijing to a dust storm and pushy tourists that have no consideration to ones personal space. At first you feel taken back by it, but within a few hours I was just one of them, giving a little elbow when needed and joining in the game of queueing up at Mao's mausoleum. What an experience that was, seeing Mao Zedong's body - of course a little freaky - but being in the rat race to get in, was the true Beijing experience.
My favorite part of China would have to be the hotungs, small ally ways filled with fruit stands, steamed dumping shops, and anything you could possible imagine 'on a stick.' You can also find your tailor, your bike maintenance crew and probably the best rice, noodle or dim sum dish you've even had. These little side streets are where it all goes down in China, and they're everywhere. I've decided that in my next lifetime I want to come back as the lady that sells the kettle corn in the hotung near our hostel, such a big smile on her face as she passed out on-the-spot popped bags of goodness, what's not to love about that?
We made our way through the northeast China, but only scratched the surface of something much much more. Visiting the Great Wall on our last day gave us some perspective of what this country is about, showing grandeur and art with a massive stone wall that never provided much protection. China is huge and they want you to see them as dominating, but really, this country has a long way to go before they actually fulfill the image they're showing the world.