So how did I end up with a Red Dot on my forehead?

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We have arrived in Kathmandu!!! (This entry is getting quite difficult as the internet shuts down about every 2 minutes, so I'll be brief). We were met at the Kathmandu airport with many smiling faces from Habitat Nepal and Raya Tours. Things we have learned:
1) We are part of 20 volunteers arriving today. The remaining 480...yes 480!!!...volunteers from 12 countries are due to arrive in the next few days. Wow. I commend the organizers of this event.
2) Kathmandu is hot, busy, loud. Cremating bodies in the river on the right, monkeys on the left. A lot to take in for a couple of extremely jet-lagged travelers.
3) We LOVE Jet Airways - the Indian airline we took on 2 legs from london here to Kathmandu. Beautiful, nice flight attendants and great food.
We are staying briefly, just overnight, at Hotel Norbu Linka before our flight to Chitwan for a little elephant love. Internet, electricity, and travelblog are all giving me a little challenge, so postings may be sporadic. I am also having technical difficulties with cameras for now, will add pictures later.
A few friends of a friend from Maryland were nice enough to take a bus across town to meet us at our hotel and take us walking through the streets of Kathmandu, including Durbar Square. A lot of INTERESTING folk. So yes I did end up with a red dot on my forehead from a well meaning man in yellow frock offering me blessings. Toes are at great risk while walking this city as the the very narrow streets are shared by motorbikes, cars, bicycle rickshaws and people walking.

Best Things so far:
1. Being in Nepal!
2. Jet Airways - can I say that enough. We really loved our flights.
3. The Habitat Nepal staff and Raya Tours. They totally rock... everything is taken care of... they have arranged all of our travel to and from hotels, airports and we have their numbers to call if we get stuck 😊

Things we are still on the fence about:
1. Bicycle rickshaws- we actually rode one for about 5 minutes to get back to our hotel. I think our Travel Insurance Company would list this as "excessive risk-taking behavior". Plus I think we got royally ripped off $$$$.
2. Nepal airport bathrooms. No need to say more.

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Comments

[Janet]

Arrival
Glad that you arrived safely..I have been thinking about you guys. Keep the updates coming.

[Amy B]

Where in the world is Kim Yeakel?
Glad you guys made it there! I look forward to reading more updates. We are driving to Dallas for OU/TX. Wish we could see you! Have fun and be safe.