ka-ka-kathmandu

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Arrived yesterday without issue. Boston-NewYork-Delhi-Kathmandu. Travellers conversation with a young man at the airport in Newark. I ask for suggestions about best way to get safe/clean/inexpensive hotel for 1 night in Delhi. He tells me how to do it but also says "if you run into trouble in India call me" and he gives me his parents home phone number in Delhi. It turns out getting a 1-night visa in India from the airport is non-trivial so I end up spending the night in the airport "transistion area" (the most comfortable there were backpackers with sleeping pads). Met another 2nd young man at the airport in Delhi. He was going home to Kathmandu after six years away. He asked "are you travelling alone?" and when I said "yes" he responded with "if you run into trouble in Nepal call me" and he gave me his family's home numbers.

People are incredibly kind. And I think I look like everyone's mother/auntie. They want to help.


So far, of course, no problems. I picked my hotel (Ganesh Himal) out of the Lonely Planet guide book (their #1 pick for bargain comfort); The police man at the airport calls ahead to help me with a reservation - took a cab through crowded streets where, yes, large cows have the right of way. They're sacred here. Picked this hotel also because of it's free wireless & the advertisement which read s "God, family and friends are welcome"; Lovely garden restaraunt out back;

In Thamel now. The tourist area of the city itself it noisy, dirty, strong odors, crowded, full scale assault on the senses.


Attached photo I took this morning as the plane entered Nepali air space. I am knocked out by it's beauty. Now I know the proper time to use the word "awesome";

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Photos

Entering Nepali Airspace
Himalayas

Comments

[Robert Fleagle]

Truly Awesome!
I dismissed the photo as a "silly tourist pic" 'til you mentioned you took it out the plane window...fabulous shot Noreen! Plus I just realized that Noreen449 is a secret society reference! Coool!

[Jane]

namaste!
I love this--a wonderful way to keep in touch. Those mountains are like a dream, aren't they? Drink them in. I remember the smells of Kathmandu most of all: curry, incense, cow dung, and baby shit (mothers would hang their babies over the ditch running through the street and they would squirt into the slow-moving water). Mingled with the other scents, it wasn't too bad. Definitely exotic. But I digress. Don't read this--attend to the surroundings. Be well. Love, Jane

[Peter]

Probably the best place in Delhi
Staying at the airportprobably was the best you could have done.

[Terry]

amazing picture
keep them coming. Glad to hear you arrived safely and are having what sounds like a very interesting time already! I'm glad you set up the blog; look forward to following your adventures. love, T.

[Mary Doherty]

all the best
How exciting, I love the picture. Simply amazing. I'm looking forward to all of the entries in this blog.

[Cheryl]

HI
So glad your are blogging! Great to keep connected. Not sure if you get this or not. Photo is astounding!!!!!!!!!! Cheryl

[Bill Regan]

Namaste, Auntie
Everyone's mother or auntie...so sorry, but that dawg don't hunt in these woods. Glad you are on this trip. You'll never have to look back and say, "I wish I had gone to Nepal." great stuff. Take lots of photos (as if I have to tell you that). Our best to you. Enjoy, post pix and be careful out there. Bill

[Verginger]

Awesome
You are among friends everywhere Auntie Noreen. This is sooo exciting. Keep it coming. Namaste, V

[Nancy]

More pictures!!
I'm an avid fan of your travelogue, already. Thank you for taking the time from sleep and travel to keep in touch. Maybe you could send a new word every day and we could then all speak the language when you get home. Stay vertical and well, Namaste, Nancy

[Andrea]

Namaste
Thanks for setting up the blog! Enjoy the journey! The photo is incredible; send more if possible. What is the temperature like? Love, Andrea

[Sarah D.]

hi
What a wonderful trip and great adventure. I'll keep my eye on your blog so I can take a vicarious little trip away from western MA every day! It sounds like you are in safe hands. Love, Sarah

[Carol]

Greetings, Noreen
Thanks so much for inviting me to share your trip. The photo of the mountains is fabulous. I'm happy to hear that you are meeting nice people along the way. Namaste, Noreen.