What a wonderful and relaxing day we had.

Starting with sleeping in till after 7am, we laid in our separate beds, in our separate sleeping bags, and read until 8, and then wondered down for a leisurely breakfast. (can't wait to get back to being a normal couple again!)

I must also report that Damian had his first shower in about ten days yesterday. He said it was the best shower be ever had. We finally had a good, long, well overdue cuddle. Almost feels like we're girlfriend and boyfriend again, rather than mates :).

The owner of Zamling, Tsedam Sherpa, told us there was the official opening of the kindergarten building of the school and, there would be performances. He asked if we wanted to come along. Of course! Not much of it was in English but it was really great nevertheless.

There was traditional dancing by the older kids, and the first and second graders sang "If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands". It was super cute. We were invited as guests to sit near the front and had a sash placed around our necks, and served milk tea and sweets.

We learned the school is kindergarten to fifth grade. After, they go to Khumjung (two hours away) which educates up to year ten. Then they have to go to Kathmandu if they want to finish high school and/or go to college. The school here in Namche used to be of poor quality until five or ten years ago when they received a substantial grant from the Himalayan Sherpa Foundation and an independent donation from an American man. Previously the teacher was receiving only $50/month, which wasn't nearly enough to live on. Now the teachers are of high quality, with university degrees, and children come from all over to the school. Rather than commuting, two houses have been set up for kids who live an hour or more away (up to five or six hours) where they live during the school year. Families have to pay $6 a month for their child to attend the school. Tsedam told us it's a big problem that kids drop out of school to become guides, Sherpas, or porters. We found out porters get paid about thirty-five cents per kilo they carry (not much, and you often see men and even a few women carrying up to 120kg, the max allowed!!) Guides to Everest Base Camp will make about $50/day but have to pay their own food and accommodation. Sherpas get paid about $6,000 for two-months of work, on expeditions to Everest, Ama Dablam, or another high peak. Most people in the Khumbu region are Sherpa, ie originally from Tibet and have surname Sherpa, (comes from Tibetan name Shar meaning East, and Pa meaning people). The title of Sherpa refers to the highest level of guide, who accompanies an expedition up Everest or another mountain in the himalaya.

Kids drop out of school with the goal of becoming a Sherpa but unfortunately, even if they make it, they are left without work in the long term. There is only so long you can put your body through such strain. $6000 is a lot of money though considering the average Nepali makes $1500 per annum.

The government is working hard to promote education and have even set up special schools for those desiring to attain the level of Sherpa, so that they can become educated and learn about the mountains and expeditioning.

After the school opening ceremony, we had lunch at the local bakery and pizzeria. Yum!

Post lunch we relaxed and read, resting up for our hike tomorrow. It'll be a tough day, and there is forecast for freezing rain. I hope it's wrong because it'll make an already tiring 8-9 hours more miserable.

More on that tomorrow.