Day Four Chame to Lower Pisang

Prayer wheel turned by water wheel

Prayer flags in the peaceful forest

Ancient agriculture

Tibetan jewelry for sale along the trail

We walked through small traditional Tibetan villages where time has stood still. Women haul hay on their backs and men plow the fields with oxen and a wooden plough. The Marsyangdi river continued to roar next to us and the scenery was a mix of Glacier Park and Yosemite. As we climbed to Chame the chill began and we appreciated our fleece. Chame was more bustling than other villages as it has several stupas and a "warm" hot springs, internet and even a pool hall. The donkey caravans are housed outside of town near the prayer wheel turned by a water wheel. We are given the same menu at every meal, but the prices increase as we gain elevation. Our diet is heavy on carbs, though tonight I had momos which needed some spice. Today we had our first sighting of awesome Paungda Danda, "Mountain of Heaven", which is an arc of slate rising almost 5,000 feet from the valley floor. It is a monument to glacial erosion and is considered holy by the Gurungs of Nepal. There was a holy spot in the pine forest where prayer flags fluttered and cairns were arranged with pine branches on top. Here the spirits of ancestors are honored. After one particularly steep climb, we rounded a bend and there were several wooden tables with displays of Tibetan necklaces and bracelets, knives and prayer wheels. We have been told that Tibetan are enterprising traders.