I feel obligated to tell at least one story about other trekkers because we've encountered so many interesting characters while on the trail. The majority of people on the circuit were from or Germany or France (serious hikers) and we also came across large groups of Japanese, Czech, Israeli folks and hardly any Americans, just a handful really. But once we got onto the sanctuary trek we met many more Koreans and Americans. So throughout all our encounters, many of which have been very interesting, I think this might be one of the best...
After the sunrise hike to Poon Hill in Ghorepani, we were sitting back in our lodge, relishing in the delight that is Annapurna, reading through the breakfast menu and in walked, no no in barged this older Korean man. He was panting/ breathing/ spitting at an audible level and dripping sweat as he passed by our table and threw his hiking poles down on the floor. Followed by his poor guide, the man barked at him "Everest! One Everest, now!" Clearly knowing the drill, the guide ordered the beer (please note it is now 6:30 AM!) and 4 mugs with a big bottle of Everest immediately appeared. He dramatically plopped his body onto the chair and let out a huge sigh of relief, a celebration of his return from the hike we supposed. Not to be critical but the hike was barely an hour and not too strenuous- you would've thought this man had climbed Everest, not drank the beer named after it. He then cracked open the beer and while filling the other glasses he managed to spill beer all over the table. Within 1.5 seconds he had finished his beer so he then started on the others. His unlucky friends had taken too long and were paying the price for it. He sat there and proceeded to finish the other 3 beers in a matter of minutes. He actually didn't really breathe whilst doing so. He shouted for another beer and then turned his attention towards the menu. Not soon after he yelled towards the kitchen "We first, we eat first!" while pointing at his chest and looking at Vasae and I's table. Even though we had already ordered we were more than happy to allow the hungry beast to go first.
After shouting a few more things at the kitchen and his guide, he soon pipped down a bit but only to drink his second beer. Just before the food arrived his buddies finally came to join him at his table. Unaware they had missed out on the previous 2 beers, they ordered another and hunkered down to enjoy their meal. While Vasae and I ate our porridge and Gurung bread (delicious Tibetan bread) these folks devoured everything from egg sandwiches to bowls of soup to omelettes, roasted potatoes, fried rice, etc. it was truly an early morning feast. Vasae went to go take a nap while I wrote in my journal by the fire for awhile. The lovely Korean man joined me- he sat with his feet up, enjoying the nice fire and then ordered a piece of apple pie. Even though I was trying not to look at him while he man-handled his pie (so he wouldn't see the blatant disgust on my face) at one point we awkwardly made eye contact- eyes locked, he burped and went about eating his pie.
His group then headed out before us while we napped and took it easy but we soon caught up to them about an hour into our hike. We knew it was them when we rounded the corner and saw our buddy smashing boiled eggs and potatoes in his mouth. We didn't run into them again but still giggle every time we think about that man... what a gem :)
After the sunrise hike to Poon Hill in Ghorepani, we were sitting back in our lodge, relishing in the delight that is Annapurna, reading through the breakfast menu and in walked, no no in barged this older Korean man. He was panting/ breathing/ spitting at an audible level and dripping sweat as he passed by our table and threw his hiking poles down on the floor. Followed by his poor guide, the man barked at him "Everest! One Everest, now!" Clearly knowing the drill, the guide ordered the beer (please note it is now 6:30 AM!) and 4 mugs with a big bottle of Everest immediately appeared. He dramatically plopped his body onto the chair and let out a huge sigh of relief, a celebration of his return from the hike we supposed. Not to be critical but the hike was barely an hour and not too strenuous- you would've thought this man had climbed Everest, not drank the beer named after it. He then cracked open the beer and while filling the other glasses he managed to spill beer all over the table. Within 1.5 seconds he had finished his beer so he then started on the others. His unlucky friends had taken too long and were paying the price for it. He sat there and proceeded to finish the other 3 beers in a matter of minutes. He actually didn't really breathe whilst doing so. He shouted for another beer and then turned his attention towards the menu. Not soon after he yelled towards the kitchen "We first, we eat first!" while pointing at his chest and looking at Vasae and I's table. Even though we had already ordered we were more than happy to allow the hungry beast to go first.
After shouting a few more things at the kitchen and his guide, he soon pipped down a bit but only to drink his second beer. Just before the food arrived his buddies finally came to join him at his table. Unaware they had missed out on the previous 2 beers, they ordered another and hunkered down to enjoy their meal. While Vasae and I ate our porridge and Gurung bread (delicious Tibetan bread) these folks devoured everything from egg sandwiches to bowls of soup to omelettes, roasted potatoes, fried rice, etc. it was truly an early morning feast. Vasae went to go take a nap while I wrote in my journal by the fire for awhile. The lovely Korean man joined me- he sat with his feet up, enjoying the nice fire and then ordered a piece of apple pie. Even though I was trying not to look at him while he man-handled his pie (so he wouldn't see the blatant disgust on my face) at one point we awkwardly made eye contact- eyes locked, he burped and went about eating his pie.
His group then headed out before us while we napped and took it easy but we soon caught up to them about an hour into our hike. We knew it was them when we rounded the corner and saw our buddy smashing boiled eggs and potatoes in his mouth. We didn't run into them again but still giggle every time we think about that man... what a gem :)
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