Update from the Himalayas

Dear Friends,

it's so much to write right now. I've had an amazing trek for seven days in the Himalayas in Sikkim, India. We started from the village of Yaksum (1700m) and a small team of us made it as high as to 4940m to Goecha La, a pass between Goecha Peak and the mighty Kanchendjonga (ca. 8600m) - the third highest peak in the world! So, we literally turned back facing the wall of eternal ice.

We came down yesterday and the rest of our team left back for Kolkata today morning. I decided to stay in the mountain area for some more time and made my way to a beautiful Sikkimese-tibetan village of Pelling (2000m). I came with a German guy, Joy, and two Danish girls, Mette and Nina who are supposed to leave for Darjeeling in a couple of days. But for couple of days we travel together.

Right now I'm sitting in a tiny Internet-cafe in the village of Geyzing. People in Sikkim are extremely friendly, happy and quite well off. There is no poverty and the Nepalese, Tibetan, Bhutanese and Lepcha culture mix up by forming the Sikkimese identity.

This place is closest to paradise I've ever been to!

The complete Himalayan report will be followed as soon as I return to the campus. From here it seems impossible and also unimportant. My Himalayan experience is still building up. I think it never gets ready!

Despite the happiness of this Shangri La, I miss you, all dears. I miss Kaisa, with whom I haven't had the contact yet after my trek / her San Fransisco trip. I hope we get a phone contact tonight.

So, everything is going perfect, I'm several thousands of kilometers away from the earthquake-area (=NO NEED TO WORRY), weather is fine and my trekking gear, attitude and fitness is/was a great success!

From now on I will be available mobile (the Finnish +358-40-7707956, the Indian is so far Kaputt) and "in the civilized world" or "ihmisten ilmoilla", so to say!

I love you people and miss you. Right now I'm doing exactly what I was supposed to: travel all by myself.

And yes, I'll be careful... :-)