Mozza Time

I suppose I never posted the pictures of me brother and I making mozzarella cheese. It was quite simple actually. Four litres of milk made those six tiny cheese balls. Perhaps it isn't too efficient. I couldn't even tell you how good it tasted because if I eat milk I will spew.

Countdown

Wow, what a hectic last couple of days. Due to one part my boneheadedness, one part another's, I am going to Nepal without my Indian visa. Hopefully I can get one there and if not, I am just going to chill in the Himalayas for a bit before heading home. I went for a massage tonight and did that ever remove the tension.

Soon I will be basking in the warmth of the snow-capped peaks and smelling the scent of rhododendrons as I track the elusive yeti through the back-country of the Annapurnas. Packing is going wonderfully, I had a clip break on one of my new stuff-sacks, and I have made numerous trips to M.E.C. to collect things that I had forgotten and probably don't need anyway. I am loading up on many varieties of drugs: acetaminophin, acetazolamide, ciprofloxacin, etc, to stave off the inevitable high altitude head ache, and the intrusive travelers diarrhea. I am only going to take them if I really need them since I find the white ones to be too crunchy, and the yellow ones make my mouth foam up when I suck on them. I am still trying to decide on how many pairs of socks I'll need. 22 days in the wilderness could wear through a lot of wool. So far I figure four pairs, but I may have to up it. Hopefully there is enough areas that we can do laundry or else it might get treacherous even to enter the same room as one of us.

I am curious on what kind of activities I should do whilst in the mountain country (aside from hiking that is). My dear sister suggested that I ride a yak. Do they have yak rodeos over there? Maybe I should bring a Stetson just in case. Speaking of hats, my brother recommends that I acquire a pith helmet and riding crop and... well you know the rest. ( If not, go to wikipedia and type in British colonialism.)

This is all incredibly exciting and I can hardly wait to get on the plane and fly over there, but I have to wait just three more days.

The plot thickens...

So I received a letter in the mail today, curiously sealed with a kiss. No return address, and inside: pictures! Oh the felons! As suspected, there were two perpetrators, female. This appears to be the first time that they have committed such a crime as shown by the haphazard application of the lipstick. One is pale, perhaps albino, and the other has no distinguishing features other than lips that fill a good portion of a 4X6 glossy. Both are considered armed (meaning they have arms) and dangeresque. Whodunnit?

New Alberta Gallery of Art

I took a walk downtown to look at the new art gallery. It is interesting enough. Hopefully the rest of Edmonton takes a hint and we start to have more fashionable buildings. I noticed that the rest of the downtown core could use a revitalization. It's not just the scattered garbage and the overabundance of homeless people. The design of the buildings themselves are not engaging the street. Whyte Avenue feels cozy and friendly on most days, yet downtown seems to lack a heartbeat.

Call me, text me, kiss me?

So I woke up this morning and low and behold, my car is covered in post-it note kisses! She (they) left a phone number too.

The last coupla weeks...

This is a bit of a visual of the last few weeks in the life of me. Kyle, I wanted to call to the attention the placid expression on my face on the one of me flying through the air. No distorted face scrunched into what many call weeping*. I think I am getting better at not showing my fear outwardly. You may wonder the outcome of the ski-jump? Full on face plant. (See other photo) The hiking photo was taken whist Digby and I were exploring the Kootenay Plains. It was such a beautiful day. Only 18 more days until we test out our skills in the Himalayas! NNNYess!

P.S. Thanks to Digby for the great photos.

* See Kyle's blog post titled "Stunting in the new year." (#3 is my personal favorite. I have gut-splitting laughter every time!)

Hiking the Siffiler Trail

Yesterday Digby and I went to the mountains to go snowshoe-skiing. Alas, when we arrived, there was no snow to be had. So instead we went a-hiking.