K-K-K-K-K-Kathmandu

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I was up at 4:00 this morning, definitely still a bit jet lagged from the trip back to Asia and getting too much sleep on the plane. I spent my morning chatting with a couple guys at the hostel - including one who recently got back from the hospital after having fallen in a gutter - and reading a bit of the hostel’s Lonely Planet guide on Nepal.

Around 9:15 I set out to try and get to the airport, at first looking for a tuk tuk on the recommendation of the hostel worker last night. This proved to be an ordeal as most were filled with people. And by filled I mean eight people each, some hanging out the sides of these small vehicles that were built to snugly fit five tiny people at most. Me and my packs didn’t stand a chance. I finally found an empty one but he was unwilling to take me to the airport so after about 15 minutes of complete failure I made my way back to the hostel to find an alternate route. The driver from last night ended up taking me back to the airport in the small van.

The trip at this time of day in a much slower tuk tuk was supposed to take about a half hour. I was skeptical of that and banked on 45 minutes. I was still way off. An hour and 15 minutes later I arrived at the airport, a sweaty mess from baking inside a van with no air conditioning in the desert sun with the windows open but no air from sitting in traffic the whole time. I was not pleased and was hoping I could still check in for my flight.

I despise flying. The entire process is a massive waste of time, from the lengthy trip to the airport (not one airport in the world is conveniently located), the mandatory early arrival time, security, frequent delays to another inconveniently located airport on the other end (with both sides taking advantage of the situation with overpriced transportation costs).

Fortunately, I was still able to check in and made my way past the Indian security guards and their assault rifles that would humble an AK-47, through the security scan and met up with Dave by our gate. We would spend the next couple hours at the airport as our flight was delayed since the plane was not up to the airline’s high technical standards.

We finally went outside and took a bus to our plane, making our way to Kathmandu over the next hour and a half. The immigrations and baggage claim in Kathmandu were simple and we quickly found our driver who had our names on a sign just outside the airport. It was then we met Raj, who we think is the owner of Third Pole Treks, our trekking company. Raj and our driver escorted us to the hotel where we paid and went over our trek details, including an option to do an unnecessary excursion on a plane flying over the Himalayas. Maybe some other time.

The hotel seems fine and, as an Asian custom, our bathroom includes a bucket that can be used in leiu of a bidet. Dave was a bit disgusted by this. At least we also have the option to use normal TP. I suspect the trek will only see the quality of the facilities deteriorate as we progress.

We spent the evening doing a bit of window shopping for the trekking clothes and gear we need to buy and dodging traffic and holes in the road. With the darkness of the evening, we had a little bit of trouble getting our bearings straight and were heading into a less inhabited part of town. One English speaking local, who was with his wife or girlfriend, offered to show us the way to Thamel, where we could find more shops and places to eat. We warily followed him for a few minutes and grew more concerned about where we were heading as we got more off the beaten path. At one point he raised his arms and Dave said “Let’s go.” We were out of there. Who knows if that was a signal that would have led to our demise.

We eventually found some cheap clothes, though some were not nearly as low as expected. I would imagine we’ll have to shop around and haggle a lot tomorrow. We also came upon a Nepalese restaurant where we had a dinner of dumplings, meat, beans, curry sauce, rice, bread that was like a hard tortilla shell and Everest beer. We spent the whole of dinner conversing, talking about some possible ventures as well as engaging in our usual social and political criticisms. It was just like old times.

After dinner, we headed back to the hotel and hit the rack. It was a long day.

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Photos

Delhi hostel
The dirt path just outside the hostel in Delhi.

Kathmandu hotel
Me outside our hotel in Kathmandu.

Dave at dinner
Enjoying some of Nepal's finest - Everest beer.

Dinner
Our Nepalese dinner spread.

Comments

[Jessica Webster]

Hope you're having fun!
I love that you posted this Ryan. Thanks for the update on your adventures with my brother. It sounds like you two are keeping very busy. Please try to avoid any destitute places though ha. Have fun and be safe! Can't wait to read the next entry.

[David Webster]

Oh My.......in a far off land
The bucket thing is a upgrade...nice place. Usually a hole in the ground is the standard. Wise decision with the hand sign thing. Have fun. Be careful.