Sensory Overload and Education

Today was an education in Budest temples and Nepal culture.  The city is very large and busy.  The odors, the noise, the large number of shops and people became more than a bit overwhelming.  Our guide was very knowledgeable and we learned much.  It was very tiring and we were more than glad to get back to the hotel for a short rest before dinner.

At dinner we had the option of food from Nepal, China, India and Tibet.  I had vegetable momo soup which is a type of dumpling soup, very good.  Jerry chose a pork chow mein because we have had very little protein.  It was all interesting.  We talked about where were going and what we're going to be doing and I can hardly wait.  We did what is called High and Low where we each told what we have enjoyed the most and the least.  The least was the smells of Kathmandu, open sewers, cows dogs (which are all neutered) open sewers, people who don't seem to value the concept of showers, and the ever present smell of incense.   The highs included meeting each other, 2 who have just finished their freshman year at college, one mechanical engineer for Apple, a solar energy person, a person who has run treks in South America, and the US, myself and Jerry.  5 women, 2 men, you guess whose who.  There are also two Sherpas and Karma Sherpa's wife who were at dinner.  A very diverse and interesting group all around.

We also received or rather volunteered for duties that will change daily.  Jerry will be in charge of lost and found, which means he'll check the rooms, the bus, and the plane for any objects that may have been left behind inadvertently.  I am in charge of health, which means I ask everyone individually how they are feeling at different points in the day.

We leave at 7 am for the Kathmandu airport where we will take off in a twin otter and head for the eastern Himalayan mountain town of Solari (I know I have spelled totally wrong, sorry.)  We will go to the work site and then later in the day we will meet the families we will be staying with for the next two weeks. 

Let the adventure begin.

Susan