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I arrived to Kathmandu, Nepal yesterday. Like all third world metropolitan cities it's loud, hot, polluted, stinky, trash-laden, and unbelievably chaotic. But it's also vibrant, colourful, energetic and full of culture, and spirituality.
For those of you who don't know I'm here in Nepal to embark on approximately nineteen days of hiking, to Everest Base Camp. Why? I feel a need to get back to basics and return to the simplicity of nature. Where staying warm and dry matters more than anything and where I can find "me" again. Not that I feel I've lost that but, in the last few years working and living, I do realise I'm more superficial than I've ever been. And I don't like it. Also going to places like this requires a certain level accepting the uncomfortable, a task that gets harder and more arduous as we age. For example, 3rd world toilets require actual flexibility that some older people and non-yogis may not have (see below). Also, having been accepted into a residency program in the US, I have two months before I start in June. YES! When in my life will this happen again? Probably not till retirement, so I wanted to take full advantage and do something incredible (at least in my mind).
Speaking of, my mind goes a mile a minute and unless I'm at work or working out I'm on my phone constantly, every five or ten minutes. I'm never "present" anymore and I'm overly critical of myself and those around me. So although it shouldn't have been it was strange to me that on arrival I felt a culture shock, accompanied with slight anxiety at my upcoming technological "disconnection". Starting Sunday I will be mostly without mobile service, Facebook and email. I guess it's been a while. I've travelled to 3rd world countries many times, but not in a long time (probably since my dreadlock days in Ghana) and although the scenery and smell was exactly as I expected, the feelings that came were unexpected.
I was also a bit unprepared, having put the majority of planning responsibilities in the hands of my ultra responsible boyfriend, Damian, who will be with me on this journey. It started when boarding in Abu Dhabi heading to Kathmandu when I overheard a couple talking about how the Nepal visa was $40, cash only, and no ATM. That led me breaking out of line and frantically sprinting to the cash machine. After barely making my flight, I arrived in Kathmandu only to see an ATM machine. Should have listened to my dad (as usual) who says to always carry emergency USD with you. Whoops. But hey, I got some now!
So now it's been 24 hours and I'm settling in, albeit super nervous for the trek that starts Sunday.
I think it is interesting the bargaining culture here and the outlook with which I attempt to preserve mere pennies (no thanks I will pay $15, no $17 is too much...yes this really happened) when in Australia I easily spend $100 on dinner. Last night our dinner combined cost $7, $3.50 of which was the price of a beer. And today we complained how expensive our lunch was, which cost $11 with NO alcohol.
And, the toilets. They are usually only a hole in the ground and there is always a lack of toilet paper.
Speaking of, I gotta go.
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