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Published: February 28th 2009
I arrived into Kathmandu at 11:45 local time, and spent the next hour waiting for my bag to appear out of the depths of the hold. Eventually I was reunited with it and I started out of the airport. I was immediately cornered by a guide named Ram who helped me get set up quickly. For R1200 (about UK10) he got me a taxi for the 5 miles to Thamel district, and a room for the night. I've got a proper bed, private toilet, hot shower and a view from my private balcony looking out over the mountain beyond. Stunning.
I spent a while this afternoon sat in a tiny tibetan cafe tuckd away on the second floor of a rickety building which looks like it started life in the distant past as a single room, and has been under constant renovation ever since. A beautiful old lady, with quite easily the most peaceful smile I've ever seen served me a large plate of vegetable curry and several cups of spiced tea, all for R160 (about 1.40). Everyone in the place was speaking increadibly softly, and it rubbed off on me. It was a strange contrast to the loud generator
running just outside the open door. That seems to be a theme for this entire city.
Theres an incredible sense of energy here. Constant streams of people flood the streets in every direction, and the sound of car horns literally never stops. But despite this, nobody seems to actually be in a hurry, there are no scowling faces, no angry shouts. The area I'm in (Thamel) is incredibly commercialised with lots of touts calling for you to come look round their shops full of cheap (and fake) North Face gear, but despite that I'm already in love with the place.
Tomorrow I have a taxi taking the the 250 miles to Besisahar and the gateway to the Annapurna circuit. I might not be near a net connection for a week or two, but so far I'm having a blast!
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andi
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lucky barstuard!
Hey bud! So glad to read your having a reet goodun! Seems like lost of fun man! Am somewhat envious of ya man :)! Keep taking them photos man! Were gonna av to sort some good ol treks out when ya back got me some new boots! Lovely pair of Raichle beasties! Enjoy bud. Am looking forward to reading more about your wonderful trip! Take it easy bud n keep it safe :) x