She held the boarding pass in her hands. It's smooth texture was soothing her anxious nerves. Opening her leather messenger bag, she checks for the millionth time that her books were there. People begin to crowd around her in line. 

"Now boarding flight 7701 from Boston to Doha at gate 1B. Our first class passengers, as always, will board first then we will proceed to the other rows."

She was towards the back of the plane judging from her row assignment. She glances at the seating screen before sighing and tucking her hands into her jacket pockets. The urge to go to the bathroom was back. Ugh. Leaving the line she finds the nearest one. It was crowded, just as the airport was. Looking at herself in the mirror she slightly smiles, she was beyond ready for this adventure. 

"Boarding rows 80-85. Flight 7701 from Boston to Doha. Please proceed to gate 1B."

Finally! 

She excitedly hurried back to her gate and got at the end of the line. The stewardess scanned her ticket and she walked in succession through the covered ramp. The large aircraft sat ready, as if a blue whale swallowing it's krill. She didn't know what she was more excited for, landing in Doha or finally making it to Kathmandu. 

The flight was exhilarating. She hadn't flown very often domestically and this was her first international one. To pass time she'd read cover to cover professor Anos' notebook. He detailed the area in Nepal, in the Himalayas, where the yeti was spotted. Giving first hand accounts she read about the creature. It was HUGE. Hairy. Shy and only aggressive to animals. Was it real though? Her late professor seemed to think so. And he had been the most down to earth tenured  professor in the university. His passing only affirmed her need to see this place for herself. 

"If only I could still ask you about this." She thinks. 

Suni had been his favorite TA before she'd graduated with her Masters in Cultural Anthropology. She'd just begun working at the Boston Natural History Museum when the call came in that professor Anos had passed in a car wreck. Who knew that she'd find such a mystery in his office?! 

"Ladies and gentlemen. This is your captain. We are on approach to Doha, Hamad International Airport. Local time is 5:20 am."

She grins, time to see some sights in Qatar!

________

There were 8 hours to kill before she needed to be back at the airport to connect on to Kathmandu. Suni had researched and found multiple places she wanted to see. First, she needed to get a taxi. After clearing customs she exits the busy hub. Hot air slams into her once outside. It was glorious! Just like being in Arabian Nights or Aladdin. Men dressed in white jalabiyas stood by taxis as far as the curb stretched. 

"Min fadlik!" Suni cheerfully says as she climbs into one of the cars. 

She'd learned a few key Arabic phrases before coming, just for this layover. Most everyone  spoke English though in Qatar. 

"Can we head to the royal palace?" 

Her driver nods and smiles. She wanted to at least take a picture of it even if she couldn't go in. Doha was magnificent with its huge buildings. Glittering glass shone in the morning sunlight. It was vibrant and full of exotic life. The soccer stadium came into view and then the palace. She excitedly snapped pictures. 

"Please take me to the museum gallery path next. I'll get out there."

Vibrant turquoise water lapped methodically as they turned onto the main road adjacent to the Persian Gulf. Palm trees dotted the sand strategically. 

"Here it is ma'am." The driver tells her. 

Taking it all in she walks the path slowly, reading each exhibit sign. Her studies were literally coming to life! The museum wasn't quite open yet but it was beautiful. Like giant light grey sand dollars stacked artfully on top of each other. Suni took as many pictures as she could. This would stay with her forever. 

A few hours had passed since the taxi dropped her off and it was lunchtime. She walked towards the smell of food. Grilled meats and rice were being served at a smaller cafe. 

"If only I had more time I'd have booked a few days here!" She laments silently. 

The food was delicious. The view was extraordinary. Looking at her watch though she sees it was time to head back to the airport. 

On to Kathmandu!

________

Suni sat in her seat, a cup of white wine on her tray along with a map. It was worn from professor Anos' folding and re-folding. The airport was situated in a mountainous area. From arrival she would take a tour bus northeast towards Mt Everest. There would be a few stops in between. It looked like this journey would be arduous, but still an adventure worth taking. She'd gotten her name on a tour list associated with the bus but she wouldn't stay with the tour, merely riding along from the airport and back. 

"More wine ma'am?" A male flight attendant asks her. 

She was jarred from her thoughts. 

"Oh, yes please. Thank you!" 

He poured the wine expertly as he glanced at her map. 

"You going to climb Everest?" 

She smiles up at him, "No! I'm looking for a yeti." 

His reaction was priceless, eyes wide and an eyebrow cocked. No doubt she'd get that from anyone she told her plans to. Only locals truly believed in the validity of the yeti. Most actually, from her reading. Professor Anos had found hundreds of them. She would meet at least a few before hiking solo. 

The rest of the flight she read guide books on the area. It was rugged, many people lived in humble huts and homes, some without running water or power. The closer she got to the hiking areas the more sparse the population centers would be. Culturally, she was extremely fascinated. Did anyone have pictures of the yeti? She hoped so. 

"Ladies and gentlemen. Please ensure your  tray tables are up and securely fastened and seat backs are upright. We are on descent to Kathmandu, Tribhuvan International Airport. Local time is 6:45 pm."

Suni looks out her window to see the sun slowly setting, warm yellows melting into shadows in the snow capped mountains. It took her breath away. If the yeti was real, she'd find it. One way or another.

________

A tour guide named Juke held a sign, 'Ms Suni Davis'. She was the last passenger to pick up before departing to Gaurishankar Conservation Area. His loaded van waited outside of the airport. 

"Hello!" He greeted the smiling slim woman who approached him. "Ms Davis?" 

Suni nods, shaking her long black hair. "Yes! Hello! Thank you for the sign, I wasn't sure how I'd find you or the tour van." 

They get her large hiking bag from the baggage carrousel. It was heavy but expertly packed. He assumed she was a seasoned hiker. Little did he know she had only gone on day hikes back in the US. But this was one adventure she was ready for. 

"I'm sorry there's no time to eat, but we did get you a sack dinner. It's in the van. We need to get on the road to reach the campground by 11pm." Juke explained. 

She was ok with that because jet lag was kicking in. Being wide awake meant more time to read. Professor Anos had left a great book written by a legendary mountaineer in his office. When she took the yeti journal and notes she also took the book. It detailed the mans encounter with an unknown beast high up in the foothills of Everest. She was wrapped up in the story and didn't even notice half of the hairpin turns they took on the mountain highway. It wasn't until a woman yelped did she look up. 

"Holy crap!" She exclaimed. 

They were high up on the road. In the dark the headlights caught on every boulder and rock to the right and shone out into the abyss to the left. She couldn't even see how far down it dropped off. They were that high up. Gathering her wits she closed her eyes. She'd face far higher spots to come in the next few days on foot. "Its going to be worth it!" She reasons in her head. 

A few more hours pass and they reach the conservation area. Yurts were set up scattered throughout pine trees. Kerosene lanterns were given to each person as they got out of the van. She had her own yurt and a nice worker brought her pack over. 

"Thank you!" She says, closing the door to the accommodation. 

It was cozy and warm, a stove in the corner had a vibrant fire glowing in it. Almost too excited to sleep she laid out her hiking outfit for the next day. She was ready.

________

"Ma'am. I'm your guide, Aashim. When you are ready I'm out front."

Suni heard the soft knock on the yurts canvas and her guides introduction. She'd slept past when she wanted to but nothing would stop her from getting dressed lightning fast! Thankful that she'd only brought the essentials she packed her bag quickly. 

"Hi! I'm Suni! Very nice to meet you." She greeted her guide. 

He was fairly young, early 20s she guessed, like herself. The country thrived on tourism jobs and guides of all types were in demand. He had two pack mules standing ready to take them further into Everest's foothills. 

"I've never ridden on one before!" 

She climbs on and feels the coarse hair of her mule. It was lower than a horse which she was grateful for. If she fell off she'd have less distance to hit the ground. Suni was notoriously clumsy. Which could derail her adventure. Her guide lets out a chuckle. This American had an infectious spirit! 

The sun rises over the horizon as they head out. She took in every detail. The crisp fall air, the wind that blew her hair underneath her stocking cap and the rising snowy peaks all captivated her. They rode for hours until they reached the first stopping point for lunch. A small modest home with a smiling older woman in the doorway. 

"Aashim!" The woman waved. 

Suni grinned. This was professor Anos' main contact in his journal. He'd found her to be a wealth of knowledge. She couldn't wait to ask her questions. 

________

"I first saw it when I went up the hill behind the house to gather herbs. It was long off, so far my eyes couldn't make it out. Not very well." 

Aditi was describing her encounters with the yeti. She poured Suni and Aashim more hot tea and sat down. 

"It was morning, very early. It paced a bit then kept going up the mountain. I stayed outside looking for it but it didn't return." 

Aashim narrowed his eyes slightly. "Could it have been a black bear you saw?"

She adamantly shook her head, "No. No it was a yeti. I know it."

She took a long sip of the hot liquid then continued. 

"I saw it again a week later then again, and again. Always in the mountains out back. It never deviated either. Would pace then disappear. After a dozen times I decided to document it." 

She retrieved a faded and heavily worn journal from the kitchen counter. Placing it in front of Suni she nods. Suni turned the pages slowly, scanning the handwritten accounts one by one. Some were verbatim with what she'd read from professor Anos' notebook. He'd either talked directly to her and interviewed her or he'd seen this for himself. 

"How did you get this to the professor? He had never been here! At least not yet...." Suni trails off. 

Aditi smiles. "Never underestimate the power of the internet! I was referred to him by a friend who guides. Your professor was a master at researching. We began emailing and he was ever so interested in my first hand accounts. I gladly shared with him. And now with you!"

"When was the last time you saw the yeti?" Suni asks. 

Hoping it was recently she flipped towards the back of the journals pages. The last date was from a week ago. Her eyes widen and she looks up at her host. 

Aditi laughs. "Does that answer your question?!" 

They talk for another hour about the creature, it's supposed height and build. How it moved as it  walked away and what colorings it had. Suni was growing more and more impatient to find it, or try to. Her guide was supposed to take her to a few other homes to speak to witnesses professor Anos had listed but honestly she didn't feel the need anymore. Something told her to stay and look for it here. 

________

Roosters crowed outside of the small house. It was early morning. 4 am her watch said. 

"Are you ready? I made you a lunch and put it by your pack." 

Aditi was standing a few feet away from Suni in the kitchen. She'd happily agreed to let her and Aashim stay the night so Suni could set off into the mountains behind her house. She hoped she would find the yeti as well. If for no other reason than to experience the rush and magic of seeing such a mythical creature for herself. 

"I'm ready!" Suni had fallen asleep in her hiking clothes. Aashim yawned from the floor behind the old worn couch. He wasn't going with her, to his chagrin. It would only be a day hike she promised. She'd be back before the sun set. 

________

The air was growing thinner. Each step forward through the rocky path ensured she'd be laboring to breathe at some point. The wind was particularly breezy as well, giving her a needed boost and also chilling her. Suni liked blustery fall days. Boston had some particularly beautiful ones but not on the scale of the Himalayas. Sparse alpine style trees dot the hills and as she looks upwards they turn to snow. 

She kept hiking, moving her feet onwards. She'd been hiking for over 4 hours. The elevation was really gaining now. The path begins to wane and get narrower. Taller alpine trees appear then disappear and more rocks. The scrub vegetation was turning a crimson red brown color. Nepal's version of fall leaves. She was being blinded by sun so she stops to put her sunglasses on. 

Beginning to move forward, something catches her eye. 

"Oh my...." She can't get words out. 

There it was. 

Tall. Reddish brown. Just standing there on the trail about 100 yards ahead. 

It doesn't move and neither does she. Should she take a picture? Her mind is fumbling, where is her phone?! 

"Crap," she swears. 

The yeti suddenly moves off the trail into the sparse trees below. Double crap! Suni decides to try and follow it so she's runs forward, her lungs and legs burning. Finally reaching the point she saw it at she gingerly goes off trail and slides slowly down the rocky area towards trees below. Once she reaches more level ground she takes her phone out of her pants pocket. 

She listens and looks but sees nothing. Minutes go by as her heart rate begins to slightly stabilize . Dang, she'd lost it! Her adventure had paid off but there was no evidence. She thinks of her professor and how excited he'd have been to finally find a yeti. 

"I found it but it got away before I could take a picture!" She mutters, climbing back up onto the trail. Her hands helping her on the loose rock. 

Just as she straightened up to a normal standing position she sees reddish brown fur. No less than 10 feet from her. She looks up and sees it's eyes staring at her. 

The yeti.

Her hands shaking she brings her phone up and takes a quick picture. Just as the picture took it turned and ran off trail again. 

"I can't believe it!!!" She exclaims into the empty air. 

Something had told her to stay and search. She smiled thinking it could have been professor Anos. He loved a good adventure.