Email from Fred Reynolds, October 13

Dear Family and Friends,

I am now 9,000 feet up in the Everest region in Lukla. Yesterday, I went with Jambu to his home village of Surke to deliver 40 fleeces to both children and adults. The joy on their faces was a new lesson for me in gratitude. I tried to capture as much as I could on my camera - we will see. The experience reminded me of when Nancy Frank and I went to Kakama refugee camp in Kenya - the same joy at simple gifts.

The earthquake that has so devastated parts of Pakistan and Indian have had no effect here in Nepal-other than a sense of sadness for those who have died and are injured or lost their homes. It a strange way, people here are sad but also say that life goes on.

I went to a Buddhist celebration in the local monastery here- spectacular interior of carefully painted walls of the life of Buddha. My friend Sally Hunsdorfer was a major contributor to restoring this beautiful Buddhist temple.

I leave tomorrow for the Everest base camp. I will hopefully be able to meet the Lama at the Tengboche Buddhist monastery on my way.

I wake up every morning here to clear blue skies, snow-capped mountains, plunging gorges, and the smell of smoke for the morning tea.

This morning I went to the weekly open market here in Lukla - fresh buffalo meat, fruit, curries, peppers, clothes, shoes. Maybe this is what the Rochester market was like before refrigeration.

Although the mountains are spectacular, it is still the people that amaze me. Is it the Buddhist faith that so penetrates their souls to be so open, friendly and funny?

My love and best to you all,

Fred