Blogs from Kathmandu, Nepal, Asia - page 144

Just wanted to make sure this works for the ppl currently on the list - message us back if you were able to read this and if you have any other ppl's email you think would want to get this -thanks! ... read more

After all that time in the mountains, the big city of Kathmandu seemed like New York. The streets were crowded and bustling, it was noisy, and it was hot with the sticky monsoon weather. The usual shady Nepalis were out in Durbar Square, and the “peanut gallery” was stationed at their everyday spot in Sundhara. It felt great to be “home” in good ol’ Kathmandu again. One of the best parts about returning to Kathmandu was eating fruit and Indian food again. Our eyes nearly popped out of our heads as we saw the variety of fruits and vegetables available in the markets: green beans, carrots, peppers, cauliflower, tomatoes, bananas, melons, oranges, papayas…and I finally got some of that tandoori chicken that I dreamed about! Mandarins are no longer in season, but mango season is in ... read more

This is now my number one favourite Asia saying, spouted by any tradesman/vendor who thinks he can pass off any old rubbish as the stuff you are looking for....the 'but different' clause is often added by myself when it becomes obvious the black-and-2-sizes-larger equivalent of the red top one's looking for isn't quite the same. Nevertheless, the sellers look truly confused and affronted when you don't want the totally inappropriate product they are touting, as if you are mad for not wanting to wear a tent in the wrong colour!!!'Good price, good price', they mutter. 'I no want- it not right', I mutter' . 'Ok - I give you discount...how much you want pay?',...is the normal response. 'No, no, I really no want', I struggle, staring defeat in the face. 'But madam, I give you very ... read more

My Tibet-induced good karma and Buddhist concepts of respecting all life forms now come with certain exclusions: mosquitoes and Japanese tourists. I'm not sure how many places a mossie can hide in a hotel room but mine is certainly playing a great game of hide during the day and seek during the middle of the night. The pre-bed ritual involves a hop/scour round for the afore-mentioned beast, and every day I come to the conclusion that he/she has finally popped her clogs and I will sleep in peace. Not a chance. At 2 am sharp every day I awake to a buzzing in my ear, pull the covers over, realise I am suffocating,then switch the light on to see it disappearing out of reach. Light goes out and buzzing re-occurs. Like a game really but amusement ... read more

Well there I was in the communications centre scanning www.everestnews.com and eating rumballs (my new passion!), while discussing the state and prognosis of my leg for around the 50th time today when the guy next to me turned and said, "I was on the summit 5 days ago". I nearly fell off my chair ( for the second time this trip), as I expected any mere mortal who had performed this feat to at least be lying down being massaged , probably with various extremities missing and still attached to an oxygen bottle for effect! I studied him and yes, he did look a little weather beaten, with a few cuts on cracked skin on his face, and he smelled like he hadn't showered for about 3 months, but apart from that no tell-tale signs and ... read more