Preparing for the Friendship Highway
Trip Start
Apr 04, 2004
1
24
34
Trip End
Jun 07, 2004
Lhasa,
China
Monday, May 31, 2004
It is agreed between us that together we'll make the run down to Nepal. We plan to take about four days and include a climb to Mount Everest base camp. In Lhasa, we start to negotiate the cost of the trip with the same suppliers of both jeep and driver ; The Banok Shol hotel and tours. The driver we have just used is already committed on another trip which is a pity since we like him. We must bargain hard and finally settle on fifty percent of the expedition cost upfront and the remainder to be paid in cash, in Chinese currency upon safe arrival at the Nepalese border. Passport numbers are logged and various papers photocopied. We are told that a tour guide is compulsory. We don't need one, nor do we want him in the jeep. So it is stipulated on the paper 'contract' that the tour guide must be confined to the back of the jeep with the luggage. There is some tension between China and Israel at this point. All negotiations are conducted in a language not fully understood by either party, English.
In the intervening two or three days there are more bong-related mong-outs in room 203 with occasional momo shovelling and a shopping trip for expedition supplies. A good selection of biscuits and snacks. Wine and chocolate. The final crew is reduced to six . Subhash and Tanvi. Nayana and I. Driver and guide. Umang will meet us later in Kathmandu. Helen has walked away from the negotiating table already.
Next ; Gyantse
