So I arrived in Kathmandu safe and sound yesterday, May 31st. The plane arrived around 1pm, then it took about 45 minutes to get a visa, (100 dollars! yeesh!) find my bags and get thru customs. Then the fun began.
First you get off the plane, and onto a bus. Everyone is packed into the shuttle, which drives about 40 feet to the terminal entrance. I believe they don't let passengers just walk over for safety and security reasons. After you get into the terminal, you walk thru a somewhat winding hallway to the main arrival area. Just a large open room with multiple queues, depending on whether you are native or foreign. If you haven't already arranged a visa, you run over to an ever growing line of foreign travelers and wait to be scrutinized. I didn't have any trouble, but a young guy a few people in front of me had to answer lots of questions about his previous visits to Nepal. After you are approved you head downstairs to collect your luggage. First your carry ons go thru the xray, then you can find your checked baggage (I hadn't seen mine since I left Saint John and was worried it may have gotten waylaid on the many connections I took. No worries, it was waiting on the belt for me). However, what usually happens is that a porter approaches you, grabs your bags andthrows them on a trolley, leads you to the exit and helps you find your ride/taxi/bus. Then they ask for a tip. I only had 2, 1 dollar bills, the rest were tens and up. The porter suggested 5, but I didn't have it! So he got 2.
Now I knew someone would be waiting for me with a sign, but they were no where to be seen. Instead, a huge crowd of drivers and hostel/hotel representatives calling for you to come with them, they will take you to whatever hostel/hotel/guest house they get paid to refer people to. There are also more unofficial porters who try to help you and expect more tips.
My ride was a fwe minutes late, so I ended up with an entourage of guys trying to figure out what hostel was waiting for me. Talk about unnerving! One 'gentlemen' asked me if I had a number for my contact. I did of course, and he called and spoke to Krishna, who informed him I was supposed to be going to the Kathmandu Peace Guest House.
So I was wary. I mean, I had read about drivers who will just take you to a different hostel because they get paid to bring them guests. I couldn't understand what he said on the phone, because he was speaking in Nepalese. However, we walked down past the airport to a loading area and found the hostel's van, and the driver DID have a sign with my name.
Of course, the gentleman helping me expected a tip. I was't giving him 10 bucks, so instead offered the British Pound and 10 pence I had left from the Heathrow airport. He asked for paper money, I told him it was the pound or nothing. He took it, then the drivers from the hostel helped me load my luggage and situated me in the van. There were still other volunteers to find (for a different organization, they won't be traveling with me tomorrow).
Once we were all present and accounted for, we were off! Driving in Kathmandu is insane. There are no traffic lights, or if there are, no one pays attention. There are cars, vans, trucks, motorbikes everywhere! Not to mention pedestrians, stray dogs and cows (yes, cows) wandering everywhere. (Cows are sacred in the Hindu faith, which makes up the majority of Nepal citizens).
As we left the airport lot, a van collided with ours, nothing serious, no damage, but the difference between here and home is amazing. At home, even the smallest collision requires a call to the police to document the accident. Here, the drivers stuck their heads out the window, checked for damage and drove on. On into the crush of vehicles, thru potholed, dirty streets, down narrow, winding roads until we arrived at the hostel. Honestly, it is kind of a dumpy place, but the guys working here are so friendly. And I have a private room and bathroom, including a western style toilet! Still living in luxury.
I and the other passengers checked in and got our room assignments as well as information from our volunteer organizations. Mine was that I would be on a bus by 7AM to drive the 6 hours to Pokhara, where Krishna will be waiting to meet me. That meant I have to be ready to leave by 615AM. It is now 4:45AM here. I think thats around 8 oclock PM back home, Friday night. (It is Saturday here). I was given my bus ticket and shown my room.
And you know what was nice? Having a shower. I turned on the hot dial, only cool water came out. But the weather was a little humid and I had been sweaty and overheated ever since arriving in Bangkok earlier that morning, and the cool water was amazing. I was washing my hair and the water started to warm up, just enough to finish the shower feeling clean and refreshed.
I changed then went in search of fluids. The on site restaurant only served Pepsi, but I was craving sugar and caffeine so I bought one and a bottle of water. Back up to my room, I reorganized my luggage, emptying my carry on purse and repacking my suitcase so that I would only have 2 pieces for the next leg of the journey. My suitcase is now even heavier, but I have my backpack with my important things and the big empty purse is now packed into the suitcase. Just trying to streamline everything.
I did some internet updating, emailed friends and family, did some exercises with my backpack as a weight (can't slack off on the getting fit just because I am on 'vacation') and then climbed into bed. It was only 5PM when I went to sleep for the first time, my headphones on to drown out the noise of the city bustling around us, one of my slouchy hats pulled down over my eyes to block out the sun, and a couple Tylenol PM's to help my achy muscles and let me sleep.
I slept a couple hours, woke up, watched some videos on my computer and tried to go to sleep again. I woke up at 3AM, unable to sleep any longer. So I am updating, chatting with friends, and waiting. Waiting to catch the bus to my home for the next 4 weeks.
I am anxious and excited and worried all at once.
Thanks everyone for all your input and well wishes, I am already feeling slightly homesick (just for my kitty and the ability to speak to anyone without really worrying about language differences,) but I am not going to let it get to me. I am throwing myself into this whole experience.
Namaste, friends.
First you get off the plane, and onto a bus. Everyone is packed into the shuttle, which drives about 40 feet to the terminal entrance. I believe they don't let passengers just walk over for safety and security reasons. After you get into the terminal, you walk thru a somewhat winding hallway to the main arrival area. Just a large open room with multiple queues, depending on whether you are native or foreign. If you haven't already arranged a visa, you run over to an ever growing line of foreign travelers and wait to be scrutinized. I didn't have any trouble, but a young guy a few people in front of me had to answer lots of questions about his previous visits to Nepal. After you are approved you head downstairs to collect your luggage. First your carry ons go thru the xray, then you can find your checked baggage (I hadn't seen mine since I left Saint John and was worried it may have gotten waylaid on the many connections I took. No worries, it was waiting on the belt for me). However, what usually happens is that a porter approaches you, grabs your bags andthrows them on a trolley, leads you to the exit and helps you find your ride/taxi/bus. Then they ask for a tip. I only had 2, 1 dollar bills, the rest were tens and up. The porter suggested 5, but I didn't have it! So he got 2.
Now I knew someone would be waiting for me with a sign, but they were no where to be seen. Instead, a huge crowd of drivers and hostel/hotel representatives calling for you to come with them, they will take you to whatever hostel/hotel/guest house they get paid to refer people to. There are also more unofficial porters who try to help you and expect more tips.
My ride was a fwe minutes late, so I ended up with an entourage of guys trying to figure out what hostel was waiting for me. Talk about unnerving! One 'gentlemen' asked me if I had a number for my contact. I did of course, and he called and spoke to Krishna, who informed him I was supposed to be going to the Kathmandu Peace Guest House.
So I was wary. I mean, I had read about drivers who will just take you to a different hostel because they get paid to bring them guests. I couldn't understand what he said on the phone, because he was speaking in Nepalese. However, we walked down past the airport to a loading area and found the hostel's van, and the driver DID have a sign with my name.
Of course, the gentleman helping me expected a tip. I was't giving him 10 bucks, so instead offered the British Pound and 10 pence I had left from the Heathrow airport. He asked for paper money, I told him it was the pound or nothing. He took it, then the drivers from the hostel helped me load my luggage and situated me in the van. There were still other volunteers to find (for a different organization, they won't be traveling with me tomorrow).
Once we were all present and accounted for, we were off! Driving in Kathmandu is insane. There are no traffic lights, or if there are, no one pays attention. There are cars, vans, trucks, motorbikes everywhere! Not to mention pedestrians, stray dogs and cows (yes, cows) wandering everywhere. (Cows are sacred in the Hindu faith, which makes up the majority of Nepal citizens).
As we left the airport lot, a van collided with ours, nothing serious, no damage, but the difference between here and home is amazing. At home, even the smallest collision requires a call to the police to document the accident. Here, the drivers stuck their heads out the window, checked for damage and drove on. On into the crush of vehicles, thru potholed, dirty streets, down narrow, winding roads until we arrived at the hostel. Honestly, it is kind of a dumpy place, but the guys working here are so friendly. And I have a private room and bathroom, including a western style toilet! Still living in luxury.
I and the other passengers checked in and got our room assignments as well as information from our volunteer organizations. Mine was that I would be on a bus by 7AM to drive the 6 hours to Pokhara, where Krishna will be waiting to meet me. That meant I have to be ready to leave by 615AM. It is now 4:45AM here. I think thats around 8 oclock PM back home, Friday night. (It is Saturday here). I was given my bus ticket and shown my room.
And you know what was nice? Having a shower. I turned on the hot dial, only cool water came out. But the weather was a little humid and I had been sweaty and overheated ever since arriving in Bangkok earlier that morning, and the cool water was amazing. I was washing my hair and the water started to warm up, just enough to finish the shower feeling clean and refreshed.
I changed then went in search of fluids. The on site restaurant only served Pepsi, but I was craving sugar and caffeine so I bought one and a bottle of water. Back up to my room, I reorganized my luggage, emptying my carry on purse and repacking my suitcase so that I would only have 2 pieces for the next leg of the journey. My suitcase is now even heavier, but I have my backpack with my important things and the big empty purse is now packed into the suitcase. Just trying to streamline everything.
I did some internet updating, emailed friends and family, did some exercises with my backpack as a weight (can't slack off on the getting fit just because I am on 'vacation') and then climbed into bed. It was only 5PM when I went to sleep for the first time, my headphones on to drown out the noise of the city bustling around us, one of my slouchy hats pulled down over my eyes to block out the sun, and a couple Tylenol PM's to help my achy muscles and let me sleep.
I slept a couple hours, woke up, watched some videos on my computer and tried to go to sleep again. I woke up at 3AM, unable to sleep any longer. So I am updating, chatting with friends, and waiting. Waiting to catch the bus to my home for the next 4 weeks.
I am anxious and excited and worried all at once.
Thanks everyone for all your input and well wishes, I am already feeling slightly homesick (just for my kitty and the ability to speak to anyone without really worrying about language differences,) but I am not going to let it get to me. I am throwing myself into this whole experience.
Namaste, friends.
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