Around the World

We got all packed up and walked to the corner to catch our bus at 8 am. We waited and waited and the bus never arrived. Donna went to the travel agent where we got the tickets from and was told our bus was cancelled. We were put on a regular bus. It took an hour to drive around Pokhara and fill up all the seats. An American family was sitting in the front cab with the driver. The young boy could speak Nepalese. I was irritatated because we got cheated on our tickets and it was going to take ages to get to Kathmandu. The things along the trip were interesting. We drove past a Nepali wedding with a band of musicians playing huge horns. We stopped next to a bridge and everyone got out to take a relieve themselves on the roadside where ever they wanted. It was a good photo op. After a couple hours into the trip we got stuck behind an accident where a taxi rearended a big bus. It was crumpled underneath it. A mob of people formed around it and a couple police were there. The bus drove off and it was clear to go. We watched a movie on a TV mounted to the roof while we bounced down the bumpy road. It was a kung fu movie in Chinese called "Rumble in the Bronx". We stopped in Mugling for lunch. It was a dirt town full of small places to eat. I had a coke and lost track of time as I looked around. When I returned to the bus, it had already began to drive off. I chased after it and banged on the side so the driver wold stop. As I went to sit with Donna, I realized she wasn't on the bus. Luckily the bus boy got her and we were on our way. I saw an upside down jeep in the ravine and a bus that crashed into a house. This seemed to be a dangerous road. It was scary to watch as the bus driver passed slow trucks on blind curves. We had a young guy take us to his hotel when we arrived in town. We didn't have a clue where we were and I was so tired that I just wanted to a bed to crash on.

First thing that morning we went to the Indian Embassy to get our tourist visa. The other backpackers we experienced were rude, one of them even cut in line ahead of me. We filled out the application form and paid 1,500 Rp each. It took about an hour. We got some fruit on the way back to our room. I also got some medicine, vitamins and bisquits at the store. We took all our laundry to a small shop that washed clothes because the hotel wanted to charge us twice as much. I wasn't feeling good that afternoon. I had an upset stomach and took a nap. We went to the embassy on a trishaw after lunch. It was fast and easy. Then rode a trishaw to the Royal Nepal Airways office to get a stamp for confimation of our flight. Then went back to the store. I only ate one meal that day and snacked on some delicous pistachios. Donna seems to be doing good. I checked my email that evening.

Some idiot kept running revving his motorcycle early that morning and woke me up. I was still feeling sick to my stomach and took some imodium pills and rested. We packed up, checked out and found a nicer place called the Yak Lodge. After moving I had a nice cool lassie and toast for breakfast. I went back to the room and took a nap as Donna went around town.

I went to Dubar Marg to find the Everest Air office and made plans to take a scenic flight to Mount Everest. I ended up eating at Wimpy's. They make good veggie burgers. We saw a movie called "Train Spotting" with Lee, a friend we made. I sold three books for 400Rps and we got our laundry back. I looked like someone beat the hell out of the clothes with rocks. The fabric was all faded and thin.

It was raining that morning so I decided not to go on a mountain flight. My stomach was still not well. Took some more medicine. We ate downstairs at the Yak Lodge. Then walked to Dubar Marg. I got a Yeti patch. We got a lock for our bags. Then ate at Wimpy's and had veggie burgers and chips. Next we wrote an email form letter about what we had been doing and sent it to everyone. It costs $6 but was effective. I went shopping afterward.

There was a big wedding party going on that night so the streets were crowded and noisy. The power went off at 7pm. When I got back to the room I realized I left my water at the store. I went back out and got more. I also got a tape cassette of Nepalese relaxation music. I packed up and tried to sleep with all the dogs barking.