Well, after months in the planning, I have finally arrived in Kathmandu , and am having an absolute ball. I have totally gone into travel mode, work and Britain seems like SUCH a long time ago. It's a great feeling! I am just taking it easy here, because things will be hectic when we hit the road on Sunday, and for at least the two weeks after that.

Hooked up with two of Team Elastic People at the airport and came into town with them. We dumped our stuff and headed out for a wander round Thamel, in the heart of Kathmandu. Then found something to eat in a backpacker bar (in fact where all the teams will be meeting on Saturday, it's just next to the hostel we are staying in, so we can just roll out of it and into bed!) where we had a fantastic curry - and paid backpacker prices for it. We were charged over 2 pounds for it - which may seem very reasonable until I tell you that since then, I have been absolutely stuffing my face, on delicious food, for around 60p!

Yesterday I visited the famous Monkey Temple (Swayambhunath) on the outskirts of the city. Was shown round by one of the many kids who speak fantasic English, who will basically act as your guide , telling you all about wherever you are (in this case, the temple) and some associated background information, in return for some kind of tip at the end. The kids following us around started off playing the game "name a country and I will tell you the capital", which is quite fun. Then they start chatting generally. These kids, all about 11 years old, then starting telling us how important education is for children, how they must learn English to get on in the world, how it is bad to give money to children, cards are bad for children. It was only on our way down from the temple that, finally, they made their request, in my case for coffee for my family, and the other two kids, milk for my baby sister, and biscuits. We all succumbed (yup, it's a scam) but we figured that was better than giving them the money. No doubt they went back to the store when we had gone, and exchanged what we had bought them for the cold hard cash....

Sharon arrived yesterday, today we went to Durbar Square where we almost became tourist attractions ourselves, people asking if they could take our photos! This despite being in a square with more than 40 temples, dating back several hundred years. There were loads of guides touting for business. But, to be honest, we were quite happy just to wander around, chatting, enjoying the fact that 'the real world' seems so far away.


The food here is SO good - I am in heaven. Have been eating dhal bhat, channa masala, dal fried, rajma masala, veggie curries, all with chapatis, rotis or naan bread, momos, breakfast, lunch, dinner - there is no stopping me! In fact, no sooner have I finished one meal that I seem to be thinking about when the next one will be.

On that note, better go - it's time to eat again!!