This past week we moved out of the central plains of India and into Sikkim (or as we say in the group more often “The Foothills”). I think everyone in this group definitely is relieved to be out of the plains. I personally, am especially excited to be out of the plains again because the amount of car horns, people, air pollution, and trash all over, are all significantly less noticeable here in Sikkim, and I think a majority of the people here feel the same. A cold/cough has been going around the group and I personally have caught this bug, as we have been living very close to one another lately, and for the past 4 days, I personally, have had an intense fever. However, people seem to be overcoming the sickness, and we appear, as a group, to be on the downswing of it. Along with living in close proximity to one another, I personally believe we are beginning to feel the effects of living with the same people for about 8 weeks. Minor issues are more likely to pop now, however, we seem to work them out fine in the end, and I believe we are all looking for ward to the upcoming trek in Sikkim.
— submitted by Will