And further into the hills

You already know about load shedding of electricty so again, just to safely preserve these words of infinite wisdom, I have split my tale. I safely made it through the night at Ram's and after breakfast was presented with a Hindi-bhindi and a rose by the youngest daughter. I was very touched and also aware I would become a red zebra in the not too distant future as said bhindi migrated down my face in the heat of the walk. A few snaps later and we're off. Me and Dil are getting on well, which is great as I'm spending three days with him which is more than I've probably spent with most of you in the last year. He does however move on to asking if I like him as potential boyfriend material and the directness of the question throws me. I say something to avert the discussion, flap my hands around and smear the red bhindi undoubetdly more than it was making headway with on its own. I am truly useless with these kind of conversations as I am inexplicably overcome with a sudden enormous responsibility to not hurt someone's feelings. After a short silence we move the conversation on and sll seems OK. Our next stop is less cultural as we stay with Harke's family (other guesthouse manager) in their newly built pink palace. I do a double take. Its square and concrete and it is a point of some pride. I am the first guest to stay in it. The marshmallow is a surprising twist and I try to express my gratitude at being guest number one. Harke chose the colour himself which I manage to absorb without my facial expression changing. The family and food are lovely and equally friendly but it is odd to be sat on a mock leather sofa drinking tea in the blinding light of an LED torch (load shedding) whilst on my cultural tour. But this is development and this is real so I sup away and spritz myself thoughtfully with Deet, a regular passtime of mine.
Dil and I climb the hill out back at 4.30am. I have never walked so much at weird times of night since I used to go clubbing. We see a good sunrise and then begin the return trek to Pokhara. It's been eye opening, interesting, fun and I've loved the walking. And I'm not sick. Hallelujah......