Day 6 Lho
This was most probably the most delightful day of the trek. Firstly it was a short day and secondly we passed through the many beautiful villages. At this altitude barley is the major crop. The fields were full of women working to harvest, separate and dry the grain with their children warmly wrapped and playing alongside. Many men are seeking better paid work in Malaysia and the Gulf states.
Fifty percent of Nepalis rely on financial help from relatives abroad which puts the burden of food production onto the women and elderly. There is no mechanization. To enter or leave the villages we pass through Kani gates with ceilings richly decorated with mandalas and other religious images. Brightly colored flags flutter in the breeze with crows perched on poles monitoring progress in the fields. We stop for tea and sit in a garden filled with cabbages and swaying marigolds.
We arrive in the center of Lho (3180m) with its intricately decorated stupa in time for lunch. Lunch is served on the sun deck of our lodge with clear views of the Manaslu massif. I tried the local steamed dumpling with veg curry. Although Lho is a great place for relaxing, we followed the path past a giant mani wall and climbed up to the Gompa.
Here the monks sold us a very nice cup of coffee. In the evening we were very happy that wood burning stove in the dining room was lit, since the nights were starting to get very cold.
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