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JUNE 4, 2003
We originally had reservation for 2 nights at the Trek-O-Tel, so Shari and I moved there to spend tonight at that hotel, but Nar will stay behind at the Hotel Horizon. Shari and I went to use the internet (a very frtustrating experience here because the connections are so slow) and I was able to send off my general email. I had no time to respond to anyone because we were meeting Natasa and Danesh for lunch at noon. The 5 of us had a nice lunch and then it was off to shop. I bought lots of things and saved money thanks to Danesh's bargaining skills. It was so nice to wander down the street, looking in shops and stopping to talk to people who we had met trekking.
I can't believe we shopped all afternoon, but we did. About 5:30 we bought some beer and soda, and went back to our hotel to show Natasa and Danesh our very nice room, and then we sat for about an hour in the hotel garden having drinks and popcorn. After drinks, we went over to the Hotel Horizon so Danesh could take a shower and I could look at the letter Natasa wrote to request changing departments on the cruise ship. Shari also picked up the laundry we had left to be washed at the hotel. Then it was off to dinner at the same place we ate last night and I had the same dinner again - Steak Flambe. A good day and a good evening.
5/17: Nar was over at our hotel bright and early to use our shower because there was not hot water at the other hotel. I had already showered and Shari wasn't hungry, so just Nar and I went down to breakfast about 6:30 AM. We left for the airport about 7:15 for our 9 AM flight, but it didn't leave until 9:30 AM. It was interesting to see the people and the security procedures at the terminal, and we got to ride in a 19-seat plane to Kathmandu. At one point during the flight I could see what looked like a whole wall of mountains sticking up above the clouds. It was really a neat sight.
Kathmandu is cerainly not Pokhara. Pokhara is pleasant and restful, and Kathmandu is crazy, crowded and dirty, but we are staying tonight at Becky's apartment and it is quite nice. We got here about 10:30 AM and met a couple of Nar's kids and saw Pratik, and then sat down to watch some TV. Nar brought in a diet coke for Shari and a beer for me, so I drank a beer at 11 in the morning. It's a good thing I like to hike, given how much I like to eat (and drink). I had a wonderful time falling asleep on the sofa watching TV, just like at home.
Nar, Shari and I walked over to Thamel about 1:30 for lunch and we ate at the Rum Doodle Restaurant where we had lunch with Becky and Nar our first day in Kathmandu. After lunch we went to the internet place that Danesh had recommended and it was by far the best one we've used in Nepal.
Elsa had sent us a messgae about meeting tonight because she is leaving for France tomorrow, but I sent her a note telling her we were going to eat at the apartment so we couldn't meet her. We were so lucky, though because just as we were walking out of the internet place, Elsa was walking in. She just got back to Kathmandu yesterday after her rafting trip and her visit to an animal park. We made plans to meet for breakfast at 8 AM tomorrow at the Kathmandu Guest House. Shari and I will spend the next two nights at the Marshyangdi Hotel so we can drop our packs there on our weay to meet Elsa in the morning. Nar was able to change our flight to Lukla to the 20th, so we will only have to spend 2 days in Kathmandu before we go trekking off again.
We had a feast tonight cooked by Pratik and served by Nar. We were watching TV about 6:30 PM and Nar bought me more beer and then cooked us popcorn. He set up 2 tables in front of us so we could watch TV while we ate, and then he brought in the main course about 7:30. Chicken curry, a big pot of rice, fried chicken, lentil soup, cole slaw, green beans, chilis and then banana pie for dessert. It was delicious, and presented to us in a lovely way (lots of bowls and platters). All that food for just Shari and me (except Nar had some pie with us).
Becky called Nar while we were eating and they had a nice, long conversation. After dinner Shari and I were left alone to watch TV and fall asleep. Wonderful evening!
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