5 APRIL 2023 WEDNESDAY - UNSCHEDULED STAY AT DOBATA

 

 
For the first time since we began our trek, we were unable to follow our planned schedule. Due to excessive snowfall at higher elevations, the trek scheduled for the day was cancelled. Porters and trekkers whom we encountered mentioned the heavy snowfall at the Khayer Lake area, which prohibited trekking to that location.

Five out of the eleven trekkers in the group, however, opted for an early morning trek to a sunrise point located at a slightly higher elevation. I was happy to stay back in the room and enjoy my sleep.

Breakfast was served at 7:30 AM. For a change, I chose pancakes with honey. Since no trekking was possible, most of us stayed in the dining area, which was being kept warm by a central fireplace. After five days together, the break from trekking provided an excellent opportunity for everyone to interact with each other.

Lunch was served at 2:00 PM, and I saw fried rice on the menu, so I opted for that. Someone took out a pack of cards and started a game of Uno. Members joined one by one, and very soon, the Uno group became quite substantial, with everyone either participating in the game or encouraging the players from the sidelines! This went on for over two hours. When one of the non-players called for tea, most of us realized that it was already 5 PM.

Choten and another porter provided some entertainment by singing some Nepali and Hindi film songs. Additionally, we had the hostess's two children, a daughter named Samruddhi who was around six years old, and a son named Samrudh who was around two years old.
 


Dinner was served at 7:00 PM. Wanting to try something different but not wanting to risk something entirely new, I opted for spring rolls, a familiar dish in Indian restaurants. However, I was surprised when I saw the shape of the spring roll served to me!



After dinner, most of us were hesitant to leave the comfort of the warm and cozy fireplace and lingered in the dining area until 9 PM. Given the choice, we all would have gladly settled down there for the night. However, the owner, her two children, a couple of helpers, and the porters were to sleep there, and guests were not allowed to use the space at night.

When we reached the room allotted to us, I felt it had become colder than the previous nights. I decided to pull out my thermal pants and wear them. Until yesterday, I had only been using the thermal top.

Having finished the novel that I started when we began the trek, I scrolled through the list of saved novels. In the mood to continue with Agatha Christie, I selected and started reading "The Mystery of the Blue Train," a Hercule Poirot novel.

 


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