Five hours of flying took us across Pakistan, Afganistan across to Deli and north to Kathmandou. As we descended the scene from the window was of a disorganised array of concrete flat roofed houses and buildings many of several stories some decreasing in size and often a tiny room was on the roof. The airport seemed so undeveloped, so very simple. Was Nepal really only for trekkers and mountaineers? I wondered at how behind the times it seemed. We completed visa forms and were met by a sea of black heads of little people shoulder to shoulder at the exit and all trying to get hands onto luggage in an effort to get a "teep". We clung as best we could to our luggage as we wheeled the trolley down a open air passage way and saw Progy the Napelese reparesentative with the Xtrip logo beackoning to us to determine whether we were his to be collected. We were ushered into the Combi and bottled water put into our hands. Atr once some faces appeared at the door saying "...you must pay us teeps" We certainly could not recollect having given any luggage to anyone but just by touching it there seemed to be a sense of service rendered! Progy sent them scuttling off and we waited for Carolyn who had just arrived from China to be collected. What a beautifully charming and educated woman who, as a tour agent in China, had been invited to join the trip. We had a wreath of marigolds hung around our necks with "Welcome to Nepal" said and we felt as though we truly were in an exotic country one beyond any dreams we had ever held! This was going to be an interesting and friendly country.
The Combi made its way through this city of Kathmandou. An ancient city, vibrant, frenetic, noisy with hooters and confusing with no apparent traffic rules and road markings. Cars pushed their way down the streets, hooters announced intention to push in, to advance and to be alert. They 'blew' from everywhere! Motorbikes swarmed like wasps to their nest as they taxied, mainly, women wearing no helmets and in saris with pearls flying backwards and trusting their lives to these motorcyclists. A new culture and a crazy city pulse was throbbing! This was a city which promised to tell many stories and held much to be discovered.
We were delivered to Hotel Anapurna. The temperature was above 30 deg C. Suzi welcomed us at the Combi and once inside we heard the greetings, said with fingers held together in the prayer position and which we were to hear everywhere in Nepal: "Namastay" (I greet the God within you). We had comfortable rooms and felt the effect of a long trip, but excitement was high and I had to talk to Suzi whom I last saw in JHB, briefly after my visit to Israel. We needed to orientate ourselves. No time to rest and definitely catch up sleep was only to be enjoyed much later, that night! (Namastay is also said in farewell)
