We have arrived home safely, so I am using this last blog to tell you stories we could not write abroad and to attach some pictures with descriptions (separate blog).
As it turns out, we could not hike or trek at Mt. Everest. We were told that, several days before we arrived, someone set up a Tibetan flag at Base Camp. Since Tibet is ruled by China, flying the Tibetan flag was apparently viewed by Chinese officials as a potential problem. It is unclear who may have done this, but after the flag was placed, Mt. Everest Base Camp was closed to foreigners for several days. We were among the first group of foreigners allowed in the park the first day it re-opened. So, we counted our blessings that we could make it to Base Camp at all.
As a result of the incident, however, we were told that we could not bring anything that was printed in English with us to Base Camp - not our journals, instruction manuals or, importantly for us, the prayer flags. Since I was carrying a blackberry, I asked my office to move off all emails to a separate folder so that the phone essentially would have no English, but I would have a way to communicate (which we could, believe it or not, from the Mt. Everest area, although not from Base Camp itself). Part of the issue here is that few Chinese officials read English letters (as you know, they have a different system of writing) and therefore, even if we could explain what it said, they could not confirm what we said was true. The heightened security also resulted in multiple passport/visa reviews and a complete baggage check.
For the same reason we were not able to trek anywhere. When we got to Base Camp, we had a final security check and we were limited as to where we could walk - generally only within sight of the security check-point. In the picture I will post of the three of us below the sign for the mountain (called Qomolangma), the sign is as far towards the hill that we were permitted to move. On top of that, as you will see from the many clouds behind us in the picture, we could not see the top of Mt. Everest from the Base Camp. At this point, we were consoling ourselves with the facts that at least the park had re-opened; that we had been able to get to the Base Camp; and that we saw the base of the mountain.
As the blog for that day indicates, the temperature plummeted that evening, and with other weather changes, we had a spectacular view of the mountain at sunset and again at sunrise. As it turns out, we think the pictures were best taken farther away from Base Camp. In retrospect, the closing of the park and the requirement that we take the bus to Base Camp may have been a blessing in disguise since breathing at 18000 feet is a real challenge for those, like us, who spend their lives at sea level.
As we left Tibet, we were told that Tibet was no longer issuing permits to Americans; this is apparently due to American aid to Tibet rather than the incident on the mountain. Once more, we felt blessed to have been able to visit Tibet when we did.
So, what happened to the prayer flags? We did take all the prayers and wishes with us to Mt. Everest, placing them in God's hand and sending out best wishes to to world. The actual prayer flags we strung on white scarves that had been given to us for good luck and safe travels. We hung them with other prayer flags on the mountain. Publicly, I am posting only the flags being placed so that the location remains unknown and the prayer flags stay in place.
Thanks to the many people who have supported the Rainbow Climb for the Kids, including the many organizations who both supported and got word out to members: Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital Foundation; Rainbow Circle of Friends; University Hospitals Directors, law and internal audit department colleagues; employees and friends; All Saints School; St, John Vianney Parish; my family and friends; members of In Counsel With Women; Knights and Dames of the Sovereign Order of St. John, Knights Hospitaller; and, Chagrin Valley Wellness Center. I apologize in advance if I have missed anyone or any organization.
Special thanks to Paul K: as it turns out all blogs were blocked from China. In anticipation of this (since it happened at the Olympics too), I had arranged to send emails to Paul who posted them for us. Special thanks too for the Circle of Friends staff who helped with prayer flags and getting the message out, especially Sharon, Meagan, Charlene and John.
Finally, one of the prayer flags from Rainbow thanked us for being their heroes. It is not we who are the heroes here, it is the children whose health, safety and well being we wanted to advance. It is they who face mountains every day and climb great heights to better health and healing. It is children in the schools, like All Saints, who support and pray for their friends and advance the cause for children's health.
I hope that the fact we successfully completed the quest for Mt. Everest means that the quest of all children for health and quick recoveries is met with equal success. Blessing to you all and thanks again for your support.
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