Namaste!

After a series of flights that totaled 19 hours, I have arrived in Kathmandu!

I was picked up at the airport on behalf of my uncle's friends, Buddha and Geeta, with whom I am staying for a few days.  It is not to go unnoticed that the driver had my name on a placard, and that made me feel very fancy indeed.

I had coffee with Buddha and Geeta's daughter, Rose, in Brooklyn the day before I left the States.  She was able to give me a realistic description of Kathmandu from the perspective of someone who spent her whole life there.  Lonely Planet is extremely informative, but can't quite speak for Nepali attitudes and way of life the way Rose could.  I was therefore prepared for the pollution and the load shedding (scheduled rolling electrical blackouts throughout the day, for hours, pretty much every day) and the noise.  I didn't expect to see cows in the streets - cows! - and huge roosters, and I really couldn't have imagined the density of people that I saw even outside of the city center.  Gas for heat and cooking fuel are also sparse, so Nepalis are really resourceful.  I'm currently enjoying the heat of a Nalgene of hot water under the covers, and because the water has been boiled, it is now potable.

I met Geeta at their house and she showed me around.  I took a really cold shower, because I couldn't tell that the electricity was out because it was still daylight.  Buddha and Geeta are warm and funny and wicked smart - I can see why they get along with Richard so well.  I got to hear a little bit about politics and connection to Nepal from Geeta and spiritual life and facts about Kathmandu and the way things work from Buddha.  I can't wait to continue all of these conversations.  They have generously offered their house as home base for me when I'm in or around Kathmandu, and I really do feel very much at home.  They're just fantastic!  Two hours after meeting them, I'm already invited to their son's wedding in June.  (Rishi, in the unlikely event that you read this blog post before you hear about that from your folks:  congratulations!  And thank you!)  That's just how inviting B & G are.

I'm most excited to explore Kathmandu tomorrow!  I'm going to walk from the clinic where my hosts work to Thamel, a tourist district and a good starting point.  Much of the city is walkable, which is great news for a lady of little bike/motorcycle confidence like me.

Namaste!