Is that Mt. Everest behind the clouds?

Trip Start Jan 05, 2006

Trip End Jan 25, 2006

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Flag of Nepal Kathmandu, Nepal
Sunday, January 22, 2006

Sunday is it? Yep. I think so. I awoke early so I could shower before heading to the airport for my mountain flight on Buddha Air. While drinking my early morning kava at the hotel cafe, I ran into another American who was heading to the airport to take the same exact flight. His name was Mark. We chatted over java and then later met up at the airport. The flight was scheduled to leave at 7 but it didn't take off until 7:45. Grr! There went the sunrise I'd hoped for. The 2nd most negative thing was my seat assignment. I was seated right next to the wing and propellor, majorly obstructing my ability to shoot photographs. It pissed me off particularly because I'd asked during checkin about the best place to sit in the plane and I was the second person to check in so he could've given me a nice seat BUT NO!!!! One of the two worst was what I got. Double grrrr. Then the third bad thing was right before take off we were informed that the top of Mt. Everest was hidden by clouds and the stewardess said we could fly tomorrow if we wanted

morning mountain mist

. Well, due to the fact that I had a bad seat anyway AND we were already delayed in taking off by 45 minutes, I said I wanted to go the next day, BUT everybody else said they didn't care and so I was forced to go anyway. Some choice, eh? Why even tell us we have a choice if we don't? The stewardess could tell how upset I was and I must admit she was very nice and tried to make the trip pleasant. But truthfuly, I don't think it was worth the money ($118). We didn't fly all that close to the mountains plus my obstructed view and limited Everest visibility left me feeling rather underwhelmed all in all. Bungy jumping was waaaaaaay better!

I returned to the hotel and a little while later went out for a small breakfast. Along the way, I stopped in at a video/music shop to purchase the IMAX "Everest" film and some CDs for my Papa San. I bought the film, plus 3 CDs - one of Nepali Festival songs, one of traditional folk songs and finally some Tibetan Buddhist monk music. Dad should be pleased. After my meal, I went on a walking tour as described in Lonely Planet. The walk was around Durbar Square where I met a young man who I allowed to guide me around the square. His English was quite good and he was really knowledgeable so I didn't mind having him show me around (again). I got lost a number of times on my walk. There aren't any street signs in English here and the streets are a labryinth. I think I got a few nice shots during my wandering. Twice I saw wedding processions (they start with a number of musicians, then there's a decorated vehicle, and then friends/family walking behind - all in procession).

I returned to my hotel at close to 3, thoroughly exhausted and w/an aching knee. I read for a little while and then when I awoke at 5, ordered some lemon tea from room service. When the waiter arrived, I asked him if he could recommend an Indian restaurant in Thamel. He said he knew a place very closeby that he could walk me to so I said thanks. At 6:30 he walked me there and then proceeded to join me as if that was the plan all along. It wasn't but naturally I didn't say anything. He'd already eaten at the hotel and so he only had some tea while I ate. He was a nice young fellow so in the end I didn't mind his company. Plus his friend managed the restaurant and we got a 20% discount. My funds were almost completely depleted at this point so after the meal, I changed another $40. That should definitely last me till Wednesday.

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