However, that was NOTHING.NOTHING. compared to the flight's descent into the Kathmandu Valley. One minute we're flying over Calcutta and these desolate dry plains in India, and as soon as you near the Kathmandu border, you can see the tops of the Himalayas peeking over the clouds, and that was when I knew I was on the right flight. These mountains were absolutely breathtaking. I was in awe. I just kept thinking to myself. These are the highest points on our planet. These giant snowcapped majestic things.
Beneath us, the desert turned into forests and hills, the tributaries winding around and and around the trees and plains. Heading towards Kathmandu, you just see a drop, these mountains, which had distinct trails and houses on top them (which was amazing), into the Valley and this valley, you guys, seriously, this valley was amazing. It's like this massive self-contained valley and it's not like Sacramento or the Bay. It was more beautiful, and as we approached the runway at Tribhuvan International Airport, you could see the cars and the buildings and I knew I was going to like it here.
This town, Kathmandu, is quite the bustling city. It's not what I expected it to be. It's more low-key, less compact, and shorter than I expected.
There are no traffic lights, people drive on the left. Bikes, people, motorcycles, busses, microbusses, cars all share these narrow roads. Honking your horn or ringing your bell is a way of life. A very pre-emptive get out of my way, way of life.
I'm in Thamel, Kathmandu right now, just absorbing the culture before I head out to Banepa this weekend. I will start my placement on Monday. So far I've met people from California, Canada, Texas, England, Denmark....good stuff. A bunch of the volunteers are heading out to Pokhara this weekend, but I think I'm going to stay in town and just relax. The jet lag isn't too bad since I didn't sleep between Tuesday 7am Pacific time and Thursday 7pm Kathmandu time. Basically about 50 hours, haha.
I'm so excited!!!!
Indian Plains just before the Nepalese Border, clouds and the Himalayas peeking over the top of the Clouds in the Distance. Taken from a Thai Airways Boeing 777
