About 5 minutes after my previous post all of my mounting nerves vanished. SJ had arrived so I was able to fill my mind with comparing what we had brought with us and who had a worse passport photo.
The journey, despite being around 19 hours went relatively quickly. I amused myself with Whiplash and then St Vincent (still got it Mr Murray, sorry not sorry). We managed to find a women's only sleeping area in Doha airport so that covered the 6 hour stopover and then it was a short flight to Kathmandu. Waiting at Doha airport we realised that we were 2 women amongst a grand total of around 5, so we stuck out like a sore thumb. It was awkward.
The fun really began though, at Kathmandu airport. Before we even landed the Nepali travellers had decided they were going to get up and start getting ready to leave. When we were eventually let off the plane we had to figure our way through customs and then wait for approximately 10,000 years for our bags. Luckily our co-ordinator was there to pick us up.
Oh no, wait, no they weren't, they had the wrong day. All was good though, we got in touch with VSO and were safely in a car on the way to dinner (yay!) without having to wait too long. What I quickly learnt in Nepal is that they don't really use words for saying 'please can you move', they just blow whistles. So waiting at Nepal airport we were just in a big crowd being herded around by whistle blowing guys. Now I know how sheep feel. Except that at no stage were we going to be eaten. Or shaved for that matter, at least I hope not.
Sadly, driving through Kathmandu on the way to the guest house we couldn't really see much because there is very little street lighting and everyone goes to bed super early so all I could see was darkness. Darkness and stray dogs, of which there are plenty.
As we had arrived quite late, the only place we could find that was open was a bar called 'Mirrors' and as I walked in I expected one of the Corleones to be there. It turns out women don't really go to bars like this and as I sat down on a white leather sofa in an all white room with white tables and mirrors on every wall, surrounded by 10 or so intimidating men, I couldn't for the life of me work out why. Never the less it was actually very friendly. Surreal as hell, but friendly. I had a great garlic chicken dish which burnt out my entire mouth so I never have to worry about taste buds again. Winner. Extra points to the 'band' that were playing that night. Nothing beats an acoustic cover by Nepalis of Nirvana's Heart Shaped Box.
After dinner we attempted to navigate back (taxi drivers don't know the way) to the guest house and after a quick scan for any 8 legged friends, I fell swiftly asleep to the glorious sound of planes overheard and dogs barking. Living the dream.
Lizzie x
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