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I was feeling totally scattered. Dread was taking over me. Being in a place, not speaking the language, everything was foreign. I felt like a failure. This trip I looked forward to for so long, caving in before it started. That was how I felt my last day in Hong Kong. I called my mom and said "I have to come home. I just can't do this." I sat at the computer in the local internet cafe and booked a flight to Kathmandu, Nepal for that evening.
I landed at the airport and went for a cab. A man said he would take me to a hostel for 200 rupees. That sounded alright. I was scared as he drove me through backroads, considering all the crazy stories I have heard over the past couple years. He was also trying to sell me a trek, and all I kept saying was I just want to sleep. I had contacted a couchsurfer in Kathmandu before I left, but he didn't have any space for me to sleep, but he said he would meet up with me.
I went to meet up with Binod, the couchsurfer, in the Thamel district of the city. As soon as I met him the whole energy of my trip changed. He had this quiet presence that said everything is good, and you have friends wherever you go. I definitely felt a great connection with him, and he actually was having lunch with 4 other couchsurfers at the time. One of the travelers had experienced the same thing as me, and he called it "getting your travel shoes." I am now travelling with a few of the other people.
Early the next day, we went to see the Boudnath Stupa. We were walking, and all of a sudden we jumped into a bus, which went on to be the most hair-raising time of my life. There were 18 people packed like sardines into a small mini-van. The bus was driving down the wrong side of the street, swirving through bicycles, people, and rickshaws! That's how everyone drives here, it's insane! The city is disgustingly dirty and chaotic, but beautiful at the same time.
The Nepali people are always smiling and have a good energy. Even though they only make on average $800 USD a year. They are so poor, but will give you anything you need. We went on a 3 day trek up into the mountains, and slept at a women's Buddhist monastery. They were so nice, gave us a delicious dinner, my own room, and even breakfast in the morning. I was overlooking the whole area, 8,000 feet in the air. The mountains and atmosphere are breathtaking once you get outside of the city.
The next day we walked 24 kilometers, and when we reached our destination we realized we had leeches all over our feet and legs! The town where we slept that night only had 20 people living there. Basically I can't cover everything amazing I have done here so far. The people once again, are so friendly and a lot of them have this light around them. I really love Nepal.
I have learned that if something feels bad, just push through it, and something even more incredible than I imagine will be on the other side waiting for me. Staying in the present, enjoying what comes, and release all else.
People really love the movie "Titanic" over here. I heard the music in the airport, 3 people I have been around have the music as their cell phone ring, and there is a Titanic Dance Club with the picture of Leonardo Dicaprio on the advertisement.
I'm constantly learning how to haggle and say no thanks! You haggle for everything, even restaurant bills. The good thing is that it is so cheap!
In US Dollars My Hotel Room - $1.30 Dinner for 6 people - $7.00 Hour on Internet - $0.40 Bus Ride Across the city - $0.14
I could live on about $7 a day here.
Tibet didn't work out before, but things always work out, maybe not the way we first imagine. Tomorrow I am taking the bus, then jeep, then climb into Tibet! 10 days there, so I will have tea with some Buddhist monks, until then I love you all!
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