The Work of Travel

   The best thing about Bangkok was it's airport!  Isn't it beautiful?  Jon caught this image as we waited for our luggage.  Actually, I need to apologize for my earlier statement that Bangkok had little green spaces.  I've seen more of the city and there are beautiful areas.   Airports in these large cities turn out to be fantastic shopping malls, as well as an epicurian's delight.  Maybe that is to balance out the work of travelling.  Long gone are the days when we could rush to the airport at the last hour and make the plane!  International travel?  even more so!

I like the idea of being 'carried' and that illusion keeps me going toward the plane.  It's a day of just following the leader, doing what you're told, very few decisions, etc.  And, maybe getting a good meal (International flights still feed you!).   But, with terrorism changing our world, air travel is now more work than fun.  Here are some of the trying things we've encountered in our travels:

......unequal requirements for amount of luggage allowed on various airlines, requiring hefty fees when you get to the smaller airlines who want to let you on with only one bag, or a smaller poundage total.

......multiple requests to check your carry-on bags before boarding the plane.....just where could I get something not allowed into my bags after entering the airport?

.....waiting, and waiting, and waiting....in security lines and in countries where visas are applied for upon arrival at the airport (as in Nepal). 

.... Free, acessible internet would be helpful, but Seattle was the only airport where that happened for us on this trip.  Dallas, London, Dubai, Bangkok, New Delhi...none had free wi-fi!

....seats that fit the expanding 'bum' of the average tourist.  

....climbing stairs into a plane is NOT OK!

We are thankful for safe travel, even if sometimes uncomfortable; arrival of all our bags at all times;  resources enough to tip all the young men that NEED to help us, and give one no choice in the matter, with our many bags; comfortable and adequate shelter at all stops; enough english language understood worldwide to get by and very little ill-health.  I've had a cold this last few days, but am sure to mend.

Flying into Kathmandu, the haze prevented any view of tall mountains, but we could see the colonial
influence of the architecture....where did that come from?

WE flew Monday JET AIRWAYS thru New Delhi airport.  Having a  long wait, we found the Food Court and ordered Dominos Pizza for lunch!  McDonalds seemed to have the long line, but we had a yen for pizza.  Of course, as soon as the plane was airborne, we were fed another lunch, late as it was.  That followed two breakfasts!  

Upon arrival in Kathmandu, we all gathered around kiosks and filled out visa applications then qued-up.  An hour and half later, we neared the exit only to find the promised Nirmal was not there.  He had sent his driver, who did his best to inform us what was happening.  We were sent to an alternate guest house which seemed to be unattended.  It took a long 

time to find someone to let us in.  Jon prevailed upon Ram, the driver, to take him to get some food and a phone card.  We could not get the internet to connect, which made us feel even lonlier.  The other lone occupant of the guest house came in late and left early....haven't seen him since.  The manager came to see us the next morning and we found the internet does work, but only in the common room, on the coffee table.  Nirmal will return tomorrow from wherever he went.  Hopefully, we will be able to get our proper visa on Friday as Saturday is the day the gov't is closed down.  Sunday Jon will go before the licensing board and then we're scheduled to fly out at 4 pm to Bhairahawa where a vehicle will carry us 2 hrs. north to 

Tansen.  Our luggage will go ahead with a hospital van this Saturday......see if we can avoid more overweight charges.

Jon and I have used this alone time to sleep, rest, read, talk and walk.  Both yesterday and today we've explored our neighborhood, Pulchowk.  The streets are narow, but all vehicles are compact and acually pass each other.  The scooters, or cycles, outnumber the cars or trucks and move in swarms.  Traffic rules seem to be the same as Afghanistan......go wherever there is an open space.  Walking is rather risky without proper sidewalks.  

We;ve noticed the same PUD nightmare Bangkok had. Wires swarming together all over the buildings and poles and across streets.

The nearby grocery store is alot like the FINEST we liked in Kabul.....very modern and rather clean.   And it's closeby, which helps.  We have not braved hailing a taxi, tiny ones here, but hope to see some of the shrines, etc. when Nirmal comes back.  This is the Shalom Guest House and I am on the balcony, having walked home alone so Jon could wander further afield. Getting through all the locked gates, doors, grills, etc. is daunting.

So, this is where we are until Sunday....tonight it's 

spaghetti.  Good thing we have a gas stove...electricity is off more than it is on.   And, we get to watch another movie on our computer tonight.....ah, luxury!