Ka Ka Ka Ka Kathmandu

To Kathmandu, Nepal -- Day 1

Hey, all; Meg here.  I realize I'm dating myself, but ever since arriving here, I've had the Bob Seger song in my head.   "I think I'm going to Kathmandu, that's really really where I'm going to."  It's been great being here.  I think it is India-light.  There are still lots of shops, people, traffic and incense burning, but it is on a smaller, quieter, easier scale.  The architecture is different, the sky is bluer and the air is cooler and drier.

We've spent the past day reviewing the items we have, and the items we need.  Today we were still getting our gear together.  Both Dean and I thought we had a good head start on alpine gear, considering we'd been traveling in the mountains on our bikes already, but in the course of our travels, we've lost items, worn out items or simply thought we'd not need it.  But, faced with the crazy-high elevations and the fact that it is November, we are taking the cold and snow seriously. The kids, especially, were without some of the alpine gear.  All along we said we could supply ourselves in Nepal as there are lots of stores that sell knock-off brands.  Boy howdy, that is no joke!

So this morning, prior to a yummy breakfast at the New Orlean's Cafe, we made a quick purchase of some yak-bone good luck necklaces (in Sanskrit), and after a great start to a Heart's game (thank you necklace), we headed out to complete the list.  We have purchased gloves, sunglasses, synthetic shirts, fleece pants, down jackets, tights, hats, replaced Kylie's lost sleeping bag, replaced Dean's ancient hiking boots, had synthetic pants made for the kids and, most wonderful of all, I had our stinky, dirty clothes laundered!  Life is very good and much better smelling, if I do say so.

One major item not purchased, which is a show-stopper, are the permits to go on any trek in Nepal. There is an outside chance that Don, Dean's older brother, may join us here in Nepal.  Don has spent his entire summer on the Appalachian Trail, covering the northern half of the historical route.  With that in mind, Dean invited Don out and we are thrilled he is considering it.  But, it also means that we are in a bit of a holding pattern and have decided that we should stick around Kathmandu while things get put into place.  We are looking into the Langtang Valley Trek, which is closer, lower and shorter than our original thought of doing the Annapurna Circuit.  The trek descriptions sound amazing, though the valley was hard hit in the 2015 earthquake.  A number of reports seem to say the tea houses are open for tourists, and in fact that tourists are needed to help the area recover.  It's hard to know what the actual state of things are and what the distances could be once we are on the trail. We've talked to a number of people in town and many want to have us hire a jeep to get to the start of the hikes, but with busses that run there, we think we'll take the public option.  Too bad we can't do it by tuk tuk.  If Don can join us, we'll make our way toward the Annapurna area and do another trek, which also promises to be beautiful.  We all have our fingers crossed that it works out for Don to join us.  What a treat that would be!

One of the few tourist sights we've seen is the Swayambhunath "Monkey" Temple just a 30 minute walk from the hotel.  Half the fun is just experiencing the narrow streets and back alleys along the way.  The monkeys were pretty cool too.

In the meantime, with all the shopping that has been happening, the kids have had a chance to have a little free reign.  They've spent time playing with their new travel chess board, purchased for 500 Nepalese Rupees, which equates to $5.  Actually, that is something that has been surprising for all of us.  People have been asking us to pay in US dollars.  They don't believe us when we say we don't have any.  We've been away from home for over 5 months, so that ship has sailed....

We've enjoyed being in a touristy area.  We've had yummy meals, great french fries, and ice in my Diet Coke.  Despite the creature comforts, I think we are all excited at the thought of getting out into nature and to really seeing the surrounding area.  Every now and then, when we are walking around town, we'll catch sight of some snow capped monster peak that makes us all want to get out of here and head into the mountains.  I think we're ready.  It's really, really where we want to be.