Simple things like having popcorn as an afternoon snack make the most different places feel a little like home. It’s our first full day in a town just outside of he hustle and bustle of Kathmandu where we will spend ten days before the Annapurna Sanctuary Trek and thru Thong-La. Preparing as usual for a new place, however a bit more researched, leaving Eastern Europe and now being in Nepal was a bit different. The cultural norms, expectations, and trying to learn from fellow bloggers any horrible mistakes or faux-pas committed during their travels we felt would be more beneficial for this part of the journey. We did our usual packing, organizing, and preparing our travel bag for the flight, but leaving Romania was feeling much different than any other leg thus far of our adventures. After reflecting in the airport after tears streamed down my face saying goodbye to Ash and Edi, I began reminiscing on our humbling and unique experience at Hospice. I have written on Romania separately as the experience, people, country just had so much to write about as well! 

Back to Nepal, where I realized the the airport waiting for our redeye, I was nervous, hesitant, a bit fearful of pushing my comfort zone after feeling like another place had yet again become home and such a part of me. However, now reflecting after just 24 hours here, I at least have some more words of wisdom after some adventures, and I am confident there will be many more to share as we continue this time in Nepal. 

1. Get your Visa online before arriving, if at all possible!

We learned this the hard way. After a long flight, we waited for a computer visa registration after filling out our immigration forms. Then proceeded to a line to pay for our 30-day visa. Both of us grateful to see MasterCard and Visa card on the sign, so between us we were set. Wrong. After waiting over 45 minutes, the man informed us all the card readers would not work. He pointed next to the counter to an exchange and ATM. Let’s get cash out! Wrong. Doesn’t work, nor any of the machines they allowed Sarah to venture past security and through the airport and outside to try. I had literally a .05 lei from Romania. Sarah checked on her way back in our luggage that just sat waiting for us and grabbed all the USD she had left - $62 - just enough for two 15 day visas, but shy $18 for what we needed. Back in a now shorter line to pay for the visa, we explained to the guys what happened. Now, they magically offered to try a card, which worked! Two and a half hours later, onto another line to get our actual visa. We purposefully picked a short line, which ended up being for 90 day visas only. Exhausted, knowing Indira and her son awaited us, we bullied our way across to another line and made it! Bags were still there, no problems through security, and we were off to find a sign with our names and head home! 

2. We thought Romanian driving was intense, until we began our drive home from Kathmandu airport.

It takes skill and some nerve to make it in these streets. The driving is on the other side of the road. There are no lines. No stop light. No lanes or seemingly rules and regulations. There’s an occasional ‘traffic police’ at the huge intersections. Some roads are paved, some you can barely walk. You surely cannot go too fast because there’s too many motor bikes weaving, cars passing in the wrong lanes, and busses pulling out. I am comfortable not using a motor bike we were offered to borrow. And I don’t mind the public bus which we used today, or a taxi as needed. It’s a wonder more accidents and injuries don’t happen!

3. We have a luxurious bathroom and arrangement compared to most, which includes the squat method into a hole.

Followed by using the bucket of water to flush. Toilet paper is also a commodity and not traditionally used. We have some with us, proving more important for #2... after all we did get some practice for this on our 18 days walking the Camino I suppose. We read of the various conditions, and are blessed the water gets hot for a short shower and even that there is an indoor facility. During the trek, some of the tea houses may have this, or they might just have a shovel. We’ll see when we get there! We also are blessed to have a bed to sleep in and blankets to keep us warm as the temperatures drop in the 50s in the evening. 

Update!

Literally as I take a break from typing out my thoughts, we were informed by more English speaking neighbors some people, including one of them, has a sitting toilet like in the states! They graciously offered that we could use it, though we likely will not. It’s still nice to know that there is one just up a few flights of stairs.

4. We are never are disappointed in the kindness of people, despite the continued language barriers.

A warm smile, hand gestures, sometimes basic singles words, and laughing at ourselves for not understanding goes far when trying to break barriers. Here especially, we stick out as only ‘other’ looking and sounding persons. People do not speak English, and only learn in the private schools, and we understand that! We wish we spoke Nepali, but will continue trying to pick up basic phrases and learn. We have homework from the kids to practice some basics. 

5. No matter what it may be, pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone will inevitably lead to growth and learning.

For my personal happiness, much of what I enjoy beyond comfort is through people of other experiences, backgrounds, and in these new places and cultures. The world isn’t as big as we think it is, and humans really are not all bad. We have met some of the most compassionate, selfless, loving, humble, and remarkable people all over, all by pushing beyond some of the limits and past fears. I hope these people remain lifelong friends, and expect to continue to grow this web around the world. 

6. Being far away, and further from traditional comforts, my eyes open over and over to what I take for granted and the people I continue to miss the most.

The accessibility of goods, availability of WiFi, safe water, or a pharmacy are luxuries many places including here. There are abundance of small markets, but you shouldn’t expect to find the same things necessarily on a weekly basis. Connection to WiFi on this trip is my only instant mode of communication, and I am grateful for this comfort in Basu’s home, despite trying to mentally prepare for it not being available (I have sent postcards for a quick hello to some folks!) WiFi allows me to share snippets of our journey, the nature our eyes are feasting on, moments with the kids, learning in these cultures, and peace of mind to my family and friends that I am still safe. Being someone who loves and needs quality time and values proximity with people, at least seeing faces is helping with missing them. 

The learning will not stop. My fascination with the psychology of people and connectedness of all we do in never ending. The people here are wonderful already, graciously accepting us and providing such love, understanding, and taking care of us as if we were their own. The kids, are magical as they always are. So much hope and innocence. I cannot wait to continue sharing in this place. There’s so much to absorb and learn. And this is just day one. Fun fact, signing out and it’s actually 2075 here already on the Nepalese calendar. 

Alavidā