Wednesday, October 27, 2010
2nd day
Today was awesome. Spent most of it walking through basically the whole city. Took a walking tour to durbar square with some help from lonely planet. Really cool shrines and temples still very much in use. Then off to get hiking permits. They are expensive and I have no idea what the gov does with all the money. It is certainly not spent on city improvements. Then off across the whole city to pashinath. Saw a couple cremation ceremonies going on which was quite moving. Dave and I had never seen a dead person before. Wild. Had delicious food and are ready to get on the bus at 7Am tmorrow. Should be great! Toodles for now.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Day 2 in Nepal!
I made it! Currently sitting here in Hotel Florid in the Thamel district of Kathmandu. The journey from Dulles was 30+ hours and quite exhausting. Arriving in Kathmandu I was completely overwhelmed by all the people, noise, and pollution. I made a new Nepali friend in the airport and we shared a taxi to Thamel. It was a tiny car with no seatbelt, tires with no tread, and a guy who kept shifting to 5th gear at 15mph. The streets are tiny and are choked with all manners of transport and the occasional wandering cow. The driver's wingman was continuously trying to sell me on his favorite hotel and on doing a guided trek with him as a guide.
We eventually made it into the heart of Thamel and I was ecstatic to find Nico sitting in the lobby on a computer! I had never met her before but thanks to the wonders of technology could tell it was her. Dave was right upstairs skinnier and hairier than ever before. They had just returned from 3 weeks trekking to the Everest base camp and had amazing epic stories. Many of them revolved about getting very sick at various times. We spent the afternoon eating and figuring out what we wanted to do in the coming weeks. I deteriorated pretty quickly in the evening and passed out on my bed at 9:30. I feel totally rejuvenated today after my first solid night's sleep in 3 days.
Tomorrow we're heading to the Annapurna region to start the Annapurna trek in Besi Sahar. We'll be on the trail for about 2.5 weeks. Internet access will likely be limited, but we may be surprised. I'm ready to escape this crowded city and trek through clean mountain air. We're off for a day of getting hiking permits and exploring the city. An early bus tomorrow AM will get us on our way. All for now.
We eventually made it into the heart of Thamel and I was ecstatic to find Nico sitting in the lobby on a computer! I had never met her before but thanks to the wonders of technology could tell it was her. Dave was right upstairs skinnier and hairier than ever before. They had just returned from 3 weeks trekking to the Everest base camp and had amazing epic stories. Many of them revolved about getting very sick at various times. We spent the afternoon eating and figuring out what we wanted to do in the coming weeks. I deteriorated pretty quickly in the evening and passed out on my bed at 9:30. I feel totally rejuvenated today after my first solid night's sleep in 3 days.
Tomorrow we're heading to the Annapurna region to start the Annapurna trek in Besi Sahar. We'll be on the trail for about 2.5 weeks. Internet access will likely be limited, but we may be surprised. I'm ready to escape this crowded city and trek through clean mountain air. We're off for a day of getting hiking permits and exploring the city. An early bus tomorrow AM will get us on our way. All for now.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Saturday, October 23, 2010
My first blog
My first blog has arrived. I am figuring how to work this blogger gizmo so bear with me if things don't look quite right.
I leave in 32 hours for Nepal! All packed up and ready to go. So excited to meet up with Dayan and his gf Nico in Kathmandu. The current plan is to probably hike the Annapurna circuit which will take about 20 days. I need to leave a solid day to try this near Pokhara:
http://parahawking.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZn_gliSMhQ
I just decided not to bring my water filter as apparently you have to use iodine after filtering anyway. Their water must be seriously dirty. I'll have periodic internet access while traveling but will try to update the blog while on the go and see if I can get pictures uploaded too.
I have an interview for Rotary's GSE program this afternoon up in Falls Church. It's an amazing opportunity to travel to the Philippines, experience their culture, and meet their business leaders.
Tonight be some sweet time hanging with the bro in DC and maybe seeing a Venezuelan film without subtitles. Time to get my foreign language brain working again! All for now.
I leave in 32 hours for Nepal! All packed up and ready to go. So excited to meet up with Dayan and his gf Nico in Kathmandu. The current plan is to probably hike the Annapurna circuit which will take about 20 days. I need to leave a solid day to try this near Pokhara:
http://parahawking.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZn_gliSMhQ
I just decided not to bring my water filter as apparently you have to use iodine after filtering anyway. Their water must be seriously dirty. I'll have periodic internet access while traveling but will try to update the blog while on the go and see if I can get pictures uploaded too.
I have an interview for Rotary's GSE program this afternoon up in Falls Church. It's an amazing opportunity to travel to the Philippines, experience their culture, and meet their business leaders.
Tonight be some sweet time hanging with the bro in DC and maybe seeing a Venezuelan film without subtitles. Time to get my foreign language brain working again! All for now.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)