Namaste! Greetings from Nepal! I arrived safe and sound after a marathon flight (13.5 hours) to Abu Dhabi and then another 6 hr (I think, I was sleeping the whole time) to Kathmandu. Once I arrived in the airport, accessing a visa was a bit of a challenge, unexpectedly. The visa price went up an astounishing $70 USD (from $30). So I did not plan for that and had to purchase a 30 day visa instead of a 60 day and will have to renew my visa at some point. Then, the airport is so crowded when you exit- Nepali taxi drivers are bombarding you with requests to carry your luggage. I knew I was waiting for a VSN (my volunteer group) driver and he would have a sign with my name on it and sure enough he did. He called me "Jeshni Prahl" and I thought that was cute.
The drive to my hotel: OMG, I saw my life flash before my eyes a few times. The roads in Kathmandu are crazy! Maybe not as crazy as some would say Bangkok is, but definitely more so than what I am used to. First of all, everyone seems to walk or ride their bikes in Kathmandu. They use leaded (not unleaded) gas here, so pollution is a bit of a problem. It is not uncommon to see pedestrians with their sari's or a napkin over their mouth while walking. My driver honked 10 times more than my Boston-native boyfriend Max does, and quite frankly that was shocking :) (No offense honey) I mean, the roads are so small and crowded and the few drivers around are definitely on a mission!
I am staying at Hotel Tradition, a hotel right next to Thamel, the touristy part of Kathmandu. Its an adequate place to call home for now.
Other things I have learned about Nepal:
1) AC does not exist! (I think the volunteers have seen one restaurant with AC, only in a small area of the place.)
2) Leaded gas fuels them.
3) Its common to see Nepali men hold hands while walking down the street- I think its cute.
4) The people are generally nice. A college student I bought a skirt from yesterday taught me a few words in Nepali.
5) People in Nepal know who my fave Colbie Calliat is and play her music on the street at night!
I know I will learn more- like where to find my first cup of coffee! (Mom, I need you here! lol).
PS- if you read this with no pictures, stay tuned. I have to figure out my computer situation and why I cant upload pics...
Until my next opportunity to access the internet for 15 rupees (about 20 cents or less)/hour....
3 comments:
Welcome to Nepal! By the time you read my comments you will have had your first cup of coffee, I hope, specially cause I wouldn't want you to miss your Mommy. Believe it or not, I drive in that traffic and I am still alive. I have actually managed to make that noise(honk! honk!) music to my ears.
You should walk around Thamel specially in the evening time unless you think you need a tan. Have you found out by now that you can actually watch CNN(if you are a liberal) or the FOX News (if you are a conservative)? Can't wait to see those pictures.
Have fun and stay safe. - Samir
Mom to the rescue (maybe) Did a little research...Try a coffee shop called Chikusa. It is next to Lhasa Guest House in Thamel and has 'real coffee'. Or maybe one called Kopitiam. Can't wait to hear your stories over a cup of coffee at home. love you
I love your stories!!! Keep em coming!
Amber
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