Episode 145: Full Circle

Posted by on Nov 26, 2010 in All Podcast Episodes, HD Episodes, Season 4, Everest Trek 2009 | Comments Off on Episode 145: Full Circle

Tipping Karma For Good Karma. Tonight we officially ended the trek by both checking in to our hotel and then showering for the first time in 2 weeks.

I guess you could think of the shower as a sort of rebirth because there is not a single person on this trip who is currently the same person they were when we all arrived in to Kathmandu a couple of weeks ago. This trip has changed everyone in personal, yet profound ways. Like I always say, “Everest if the excuse” to visit this part of the world but it’s not the thing you remember most from the adventure.

Since this was the end of the line for trek our staff threw us a big feast. There was an insane amount of food and snacks and the guys even baked us a cake! They put on quite a party but in my mind the evening was more about them than about us. Since we are leaving tomorrow via plane for Kathmandu this was going to be the last time we’d see most of our beloved staff. That meant it was tip time!

I always feel that it’s important to show respect to the men and women who work so hard to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable adventure. One of the ways I do this is by frequently thanking them for their hard work while the trip is underway, sharing my drinks and snacks with them as I would any of the participants and by letting them know that they are the leaders, not me.

The final way that I show respect is by making sure that I leave everyone on the staff a large tip for their good work. The handing out of the tips is one of my favorite things because the sentiment is so clear and doesn’t need to be translated: “I appreciate you and the great work you provided us. Thanks.”

We handed out the tips one by one to every staff member that was present. I found that by the end of the evening my face was sore because I’d been smiling from ear to ear. That’s one of the aches and pains of a trek that I don’t mind.

I think everyone had a really good time. It was truly a celebration. We came to walk to Everest and back and that’s exactly what we did. We are all successful and we’ll all remember this trek for the rest of our lives.

Certainly a moment worthy of celebrating.

Jon Miller

Total Running Time: 39:38

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