Arrival and Survival

Monday, September 21, 2015
Kathmandu, Nepal
    WE ARE IN NEPAL!

It only took 3 days, butt sweat, and tears . There was so much sitting on planes we became one with the seats, integrating ourselves with the local culture. Soon, we were masters at plane sitting, and the only part we couldn't stand was standing. This was, of course, after one of our flights was postponed enough to be basically canceled, and we had to hold on to the wings of a random flight to Tokyo. After landing in the city of fancy toilets, we then split up; three to Hong Kong and thirteen to Bangkok. 

    The Bangkok fellows had plenty of time to wait for their next flight; so did the other group, even though they thought they had to run. Luckily the three Olympians made it to the gate with plenty of time to get on the inside of the metal can. Much more comfortable than sitting on the wings, like in Tokyo. This flight had phones with which people could call other seats, and that was not abused, at all. Instead, we played some of the video games provided on the plane. Soon enough, the final flight was finished, and we were excited to enter the excessive heat of Nepal .

     The city is busy-colorful-exciting-scary-incensed (i.e., chaotic and smoky). Traffic was pretty much nonexistent. Lack of stoplights really makes everything go quicker, especially when cars have the entire street as their lane. Motorcycles seem to be the norm here, and one can see why as they maneuver through tiny side streets and sidewalks alike. 

    That's when we saw them... Gates to paradise, or at least the Monumental Paradise Hotel. A hole in the wall that was a delightful sight; a gateway to more sitting, after the exhausting experience of days on planes. We got to lie in a bed for the first time in 40 hours at least. It was a beautiful moment, filled with tears and praises for whichever deity the bedfellow believed in. 

Eventually, though, the city drew us into its streets, and we were among the crowded streets and vibrant people once more.
 
    The streets were filled with vibrant characters . Sky rats, dogs, and occasionally monkeys, were peppered among the plethora of people, seeming to give little thought to the rambunctiousness around them. Bikes drive inches away from where sleeping dogs lie, as people carry bookcases and other large objects strapped to their forehead. They would not need two trips to carry all the groceries in from their car. Vendors vociferously verbalize their vendetta, voraciously vocating for you to spend money. 

   Our hotel is on the cusp of Durbar Square, where people lay out tables completely covered by wares. Even though much is broken by the earthquake, it still maintains its beauty; remnants of temples towering over those striding in their shadow, statues surrounded by candles and food, and the ever-present aroma of incense. 

    Everywhere we go, there is the ever present scent of food wafting through the air. Every store seems delicious, every smell begs us to stop. And when we do, we do not regret it; each favorable morsel worth being overcharged for. Plus, nobody has been sick yet, so we can only assume it was all quality. 

    Seeing as we are writing this post at 7:55 P.M., our protesting stomachs have finally gotten the best of our brains... And so, we'll bid our adieu. We'd bid it in Nepalese, but we don't have our phrasebooks.

    Update: it's, "Namaste," which means, "I see the god within you."
   
    Most sincerely and alliteratively yours,
    Griffin, Alex, Katherine, and Bunny
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