Trapped in Kathmandu

It's times like these when I realize I am in Kathmandu. This morning I was scheduled to leave on a bus headed to Besi Sahar at which point I would begin my journey north. Instead, I am currently in Kathmandu's Thamel District, perhaps the most overwhelming, and horrifying part of the city. It's the tourist district where packed masses of people mingle amist orphaned boys high on glue, tiger balm hawking men, taxi and rikshaw drivers and everything else you can imagine. It's no wonder most tourists want to get out of this city as quickly as possible, I can hardly imagine getting in a taxi from the airport bound for Thamel.

Anyway, the country's transportation systems were all shut down today because of a bhand, or strike. Thus, no busses, taxis, minibusses etc ran to Pokhara or the Terai, or anywhere. Thus, I am hanging out in Thamel for the day with some friends and hoping we can catch a bus tomorrow, if the bhand is over. Thing is, in Nepal, you never know. It could last one day or eight. We are making the most of it though, getting in our last cold sodas and pizzas before venturing into the more remote regions of the country.

On a parting note, I will share with you three experiences that took place yesterday that made me reflect on why Nepal is such an interesting place to spend any time.

1. On my walk to school I was actually hit in the face by a flying pigeon. I assume it miscalculated in deciding how high it needed to fly as I am roughly 2 feet taller than everyone in this country.

2. I was bluff charged by the largest bull I have ever seen that was hanging out in the road between my house and school. It was a terrifying experience that ended well.

3. Last night, my last night with my host family, and my siblings and I watched a group of men, for roughly two hours, attempt to capture a HUGE black pig that had apparently escaped. The hullabaloo took place quite far from our house, but nevertheless we could see the crowd, and hear the shrieking pig.

Finally, my last update. I have extended my flight home and have decided to travel around northern India with a few friends for about 3 weeks after the program ends! Woo!!

And, now I venture off to the land with no internet. When I return I hope to hear that the UConn women have completed, for the third time in their history, an undefeated season. I can't tell you how hard it is to be away from March Madness. I clearly did not factor this into my decision to travel abroad in the spring.

xoxox