Natasha found out about this trip when I sent her a text in school back in June that simply said "We're going to Nepal!  Dec 10-Jan 2!".  I love the fact that she only took a few seconds to realize that I was serious.

Today it finally felt real - as in "oh my god we're really going to Nepal".  Funny how being able to say "we leave at 2am on Saturday" makes it seem tangible for the first time since I bought the tickets.  Having my sister, who's been there four times, get excited while reading the Lonely Planet book, making notation in the margins, solidified it for me.

This trip is big for us in a couple of ways... although I won't call where we're going hugely adventurous, I do think it'll be a big eye opener for Natasha about how one travels purely from a 62L backpack and without showering every day.  I love the fact that she's stoked about this adventure and hasn't complained once about the fact that she'll need to learn to shower without opening her mouth, wear flip flops in showers which may be lacking in hygiene and will be without her blackberry for weeks on end.

Another aspect of this trip is the fact that it'll be pushing the boundaries of my panic-zone for the first time in awhile (especially flying in little planes).  Those of you who don't know me well may not know that I've experienced panic attacks for a really long time and in the past they've kept me from doing some things that I'm quite disappointed about now (like visiting my sister and her husband while they were living in India).  I've been working with a fabulous naturopath (Dr Tonia Winchester at Arbour Wellness Centre) for several months now to keep my anxiety attacks down and it seems to be successful so far.  This will be a big test.

Last but not least is that it's the first of what I hope will be many big mother-daughter adventures in the future.... we're already dreaming about what's next - skiing in Chamonix, climbing in Patagonia, simply traveling in Belize, Africa, Peru.... the list is endless.  It's an exciting step into this next phase of our lives.  

But for now, I can't wait to see the Himalayas.  I get a lump in my throat just thinking about them.

A very wise man with lots of traveling under his belt and a huge place in his heart for Natasha gave her this advise recently;

Watch;

Listen;

Think; then

Act.

Be humble, assume nothing, and enjoy every single individual moment for the beautiful thing that it is.

I can't imagine better travel advice.  Thanks FUM.