We had rice, lentil soup, chicken curry, fried chicken, coleslaw, and green beans. I felt bad because we couldn't eat it all. We also had a banana pie that Pratik made. It wasn't like home, but it was good. I was so full. I am not use to eating three big meals a day, especially if I am not hiking.
Nar told us that Pratik would not be joining us on the Everest trek. At first I took it personal, thinking he didn't like trekking with us. Apparently, he was going back to his village and help build a house. I guess he feels very strongly toward his family. I thought he would want the money from working.
After dinner, Laurie and I just watched movies on TV. It was very enjoyable.
May 18, 2003
The neighborhood is very busy and loud at 5:00 am. I couldn't sleep so I read for awhile. Nar came in to see if I wanted anything to drink. Too bad he is married. He is very accommodating. We said our good-byes to Pratik. He is a sweet kid. Always smiling, laughing, and joking. We will miss him on the next trek.
Laurie and I had to leave by 7:30 to meet Elsa. We were also leaving the apartment to check into the hotel where we had reservations. Nar joined us for breakfast. We had a nice breakfast with Elsa. She was leaving for Bangkok that day. She is spending time there before she heads back to France and starts a new job.
We said our good-byes and Laurie and I checked into the hotel. From there Nar got us a taxi and we headed to the carpet factory.
I tell you the driving is chaotic around here. The street is two ways, one lane for each. There are motorcycles about four wide with bicycles in between and then the cars trying to weave around. Everybody honks their horn. We also have to dodge the cows laying or walking in the streets. Our driver almost hit a pedestrian. I don't think it even phased him.
We made it to the carpet factory. I believe that this factory is government run and they don't have kids working there.
The first room we saw the women going through the wool and picking out all of the bad stuff. The next room we saw the women spinning the wool. The wool comes from Tibet. The next room we saw the women weaving the rugs on these large looms. They have a pattern in front of them. Sometimes there will be two women working on one tug. They work it so fast. Now in all of these rooms the women sit on pillows on the floor working. I have a backache watching them.
From there we went to the showroom. They had some beautiful things, but I didn't see anything that I liked with the right colors. Laurie found one and is having it shipped. The woman told me that I could pick out a pattern and colors. That makes it so much harder. The more choices I have the harder it is. Since I wanted a 60 knot rug (only because I couldn't afford a better quality) it narrowed my choices. I asked if I could get a border from one and a center from another. The 60 knots don't usually have a center, but she said they could. So I picked one out and picked out my colors. Now after all that I hope I like it. It is going to take four months, but I am not in any rush because I won't be home. I have to have my sister pick it up at the airport when it comes in. Funny thing about this rug, it is probably very similar to what I already have, but it will be wool and much nicer. I guess I like what I like and stick with it.
The taxi driver waited for us. We were there about two hours. Luckily, we told him that we were not going to pay him to wait, but Laurie and I gave him a little extra.
From the carpet place, the taxi driver took us to the Monkey Temple. Now, I don't know if that is the real name or just the name they call it because there are monkeys all over it. I don't think this temple was very nice, especially if you compare it to the ones in Bangkok. I guess if one knew a little about the religion or the temples it would be more meaningful. There were actually vendors there and they live there. I guess I thought they were more sacred and wouldn't have people live there. We saw people sleeping in some of the areas. Looked pretty destitute. We did see the monkeys all over. It was neat.
From the temple we walked back to our hotel from there. It was a little bit of a walk.
I rested afterward. Then Laurie and I went to the internet before we were to meet Danesh and Natasa at 7:00. I still had some responding to emails to do. We met Danesh and Natasa at the Kathmander Guest House. It started to rain, but we walked to another restaurant to try. I don't remember the name, I guess because it was just mediocre. It was our last night with Danesh and Natasa. They were heading for India the next day. That is where Danesh is from.
Laurie and I went back to the hotel. I straightened some of my things and watched TV. Such a luxury to watch TV.
May 19, 2003
It was nice to lay in bed awhile with no place to rush off to. Again, the dogs are barking, the roosters crowing, and people starting their day at 5:00, but it didn't bother me so much today.
I started a shower, but only had cold water. Laurie called the desk. They said to let it run for about 5-10 minutes and then it would get warm. Well it finally did. I guess they don't know about water conservation.
We dropped off our laundry at the front desk and headed out. We went to the internet place and I used it for two hours. I then spent sometime bargaining for 22 rolls of film that the guy didn't even have. He had to go get the film from some other place.
Laurie and I had lunch upstairs from the internet and film place at a Thai Restaurant. I only had bread and diet Coke. My stomach is still not feeling good. We ended up sitting there and writing notes. It was nice, sitting on a terrace, writing, and just enjoying the afternoon. The time was going by quick and we still had some things to do before we leave tomorrow for our Everest trek.
