Pangbouche Gamba

The first view of Ama Dablam behind the old Buddhist stupa that crumbles into dust as the clouds around the monastery courtyard drift into the mountains that melt into the snow.  All existence is fleeting.  What can last? 

We booked it to Pangbouche passing 47 people on the way with great views of Everest, Ama Dablam, and Lotse. Went up the hill to Pangbouche Gamba to get a blessing from the Llama.  A fellow in unbelievably dirty clothes gave us some tea and a ceremonial scarf. The old bent llama arrived in maroon robes sat in the corner with the morning light coming in through the windows, touching a small bunch of brilliant scarlet strings, one of which he put around each of our necks and then put the scarf around us and gave us his blessing. And so we hiked to Ama Dablam base camp.