Back in Lukla

October 25th, Lukla
This morning we hiked our last stretch of the trek from Phakding to Lukla in 2 1/2 hours. Marty was like a horse heading for the barn - never saw anything so fast the entire trip.
The last two days have been very interesting for us as we retrace our steps and see how our perspective has changed since we started on the journey.
On our return, our room in Namche with a private bathroom and hot shower felt like we were living at the Ritz, whereas on the way out, our thoughts were probably more like "this will do".
During our trek, as we gained altitude the harsh realities of life on the mountain sunk in rather quickly. Beyond Namche it was pretty well squat toilets all the way. Marty killed himself laughing when I got excited after the porters told me I had an ensuite in Machhermo and then I discovered that the ensuite was a rather smelly squat toilet and that's it. A number of the squat toilets had rather spongy urine-soaked plywood floors with a rough rectangular hole cut in the middle. One was so wobbly, it conjured up images of the scene in 'Slum Dog Millionaire' and we were both rather tentative in using it.
Lukla is a permanent community, unlike places like Gorak Shep, or Thangnak, or Lobuche which pretty well close down when it is not trekking season. The cyber cafe we are using is in a place with a sign advertising that it is a Starbucks. What are the chances they will have my Earl Grey Tea Misto?
Ciao for now. Marty will try to write a little tomorrow if we get to Kathmandu.