Friday, March 02, 2007

Kath..Man..Do...Do...Do....

If you are old enough to remember the Agadoo/Blacklace reference above...then respect!

Morning Blog faithfuls.

As you will have gathered, I made it safe and sound out of India into Nepal just in the nick of time before my India visa ran out and I was thrown into jail. Yesterday everything went surprisingly well and on-time for the flight from Delhi to Kathmandu - leaving Delhi at lunchtime, arriving here - after a lovely flight over the mountains, at mid afternoon. I hot footed it straight to the hostel Nela had stayed in while she was here. The hostel is called Yeti Guest Home...and it really turned out to be a home away from home - its in the middle of the touristy part of KTM, but is set back in a quiet lovely little courtyard. The family who run it are really sweet Nepali's who are ready to do everything to help. Very comforatble indeed.

Anyway, soon after I arrived, it the temperature started to drop, there was a power cut, and then it started to sheet with rain. Lovely! could be in London!! Undaunted, I found a cosy restaurant with a fire and had a hot choc and read a good book - and felt positively alpine!

Ram (from the hotel) told me that he had "connections" with the Indian embassy, and for a couple of rupees, I could skip all the formalities and get a visa quicker..without the queues (which are legendarily long at the KTM India embassy). So intreagued, I decided to go for it. Hence, early this morning I was trollying through the bustling streets of KTM with an "indian official" who took me to the embassy before it opened. True to his word, he got in and sorted my visa application without any queueing or faffing (at 7am there was already a crowd of motley travellers at the front door, and it was doors open at 9.30am) and we were out before the main crowd even were let in! Ive got to go back in a week to pick up the visa, and then we are done. Nice one! So today, I have the rest of the day free to organise and wander.

My initial impression of KTM is one of a very charming calm city - each corner you turn, there are temples and ancient carved building facades. Also, there is less traffic than I expected. the best thing however, is the people. Having only been here 1/2 a day, Ive already met lots and lots of wonderful Nepali people - they are beautiful, calm peaceful people...and although I trust no-one, they seem much more honest and laid back than the crazy Indians. I think Im going to like this place!

It is COLD though....glad I have my international support network who brought me some warm clothes a couple of weeks ago. Ive been wearing thermal undies and my proper Antarctica clothes already...and im not even in the mountains proper yet!! brrrrr.

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