Where in the world Today?

Home Sweet Home











Thursday, November 5, 2009

The smell of success

Okay, okay, I know I touched on this already but I felt it needed a little more attention.

Let me share something with you: 14 days of trekking, two t-shirts, two sets of socks, and one pair of boots is a recipe for stink. Not to mention the fact that in an effort to reduce backpack weight, deodorant did not make it onto the packing list, coupled with the fact that we were too cheap to pay for warm water for washing let alone a hot shower, to say we were ripe would be an understatement.

In our defense though, check out this example of the hot shower 'contraptions', as I like to call them, that were available to us. Does it really look like a recipe for clean to you? I don't even know how you were supposed to see your body to clean it as this little gem of a shower shed doesn't even have windows.

Seriously though, have you ever gone for 14 days without showering? Now to be fair, Troy claims he did splash his armpits a couple of times and stuck his feet in a river once (as I recall, his voice was a few octaves higher afterward). So if you want to judge someone, judge me. I just couldn't rationalize the use of freezing cold water to clean any body part that was going to immediately be clothed with dirty laundry.

You come up with little systems to make yourself at least feel less dirty. For Troy, it was the little celebration he had every 4(!) days when he allowed himself a fresh pair of ginch, I myself ceremoniously pulled my second t-shirt out of reserves after we crossed the Chola Pass, and a hat or tuque became a no-brainer after Troy inquired one day why my hair was wet (it wasn't, ewww.).

Seriously though, think back, what's the longest you've gone without a shower? Not that this is a competition but I think I could have this one all wrapped up. I have a cousin (not to name names, Scott) who went through a phase when we were growing up of wearing the same clothes every day, even to bed, so he wouldn't have to get dressed in the morning. He might be able to give me a run for my money but other than that, I'm pretty confident about holding the title. Notice I didn't say proud...just confident.

Anyways, not to dwell... just had lots of time to think about how disgusting we were as we passed all the sparkling clean people just heading out on their treks. I smiled inside and thought, just you wait...

6 comments:

  1. I second Jeanne's motion.

    Chris Bonde is nearby in Lamai, Koh Samui, Thailand, also doing the Muay Thai training right now.

    When you get back, you will have to hike to the summit of Red Deer one day.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ewwww.
    I shower every 12 hours, sometimes more often in the summer.
    You. Win.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Yes Nic I think you've got the title to that one, couldn't imagine going that long without hozing off. We Love you two anyway, even when you stink!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Trekking sounds like a blast. Do you know where I should send your mail?

    Dan
    D.W. Good Investments
    investing in all parts of the world

    ReplyDelete
  5. Nicol and Troy!! I read through a bunch of your blog, and man do I miss you guys!! I am super jealous you climbed to Everest Base Camp. And it sounds like you guys are having an amazing time. Your post about "The Ripple" was so inspiring-thank you! I don't know what else to say other than I hope you two have a fabulous rest of your trip (and you definitely deserve a vacation!) and that we must must must catch up some time when you are home. Best of luck in the rest of your trip!

    ReplyDelete