Over the pass (and the moon :)

Writing now from Jomson on the western side of the Annapurna Circuit which means we're more than half way through the full circuit by now having passed the villages of Pisang, Yak Karka, Thorung Phedi... Muktinath and Kagbeni since I've written last and MOST IMPORTANTLY that we've made it safe and soundly over the Thorung La pass. So happy happy to have this part of the trek now behind instead of ahead of me, pinching myself still that it's actually over, the hardest most life-affirming day that ever was.  Between the climbing 1000 meters in seeming molasses like slow motion; and descending 1500 meters back down on S trail ledges of ice and snow ... mini breakdowns of the tears-rolling-down-my-cheeks-behind-insufficiently-polarized-sunglasses-variety on either side of the Pass.... marveling intermittently at the cold and what the HELL was i thinking and also the GRANDEUR of everything, so much beauty all around.  We lucked out with the weather that day, the sun shining clear skies offering up wonderful views of the peaks.  And I have never felt so much relief as when we finally touched down.  We will spend the next 4 - 6 days walking through mostly valleys now, fields of barley and apple and peach orchards... visiting Buddhist monasteries... and continuing to descend as we go, towards Pokhara.  The weather will grow warmer every day.  

So all is very well and YES since i know some of you are wondering i am feeling incredibly FIT these days - and continuing to eat considerably well as my reward. 

Hope all is going very well for everyone back home too.  I miss you.  Sending so much love.  Till the next Internet pit stop...