A Joyful Noise and the Kindness of Strangers

Whacky sleep schedule, an early pick-up time, a new culture, and lots of activities = TIRED!

This was the first day I basically dragged through the day.

That doesn't mean I didn't create some fun memories.

Gulson, my driver, arrived at 5:15AM to take me to the airport.  I was very much looking forward to the 1-hour "Mountain" flight on Buddha Air.  If the skies were clear, we would be enjoying views of the Himalayas, and with any luck Mt. Everest.

Gulson has been my driver since Day 1.  At first he wore a mask each time, and then one morning I said, " Are you the same driver because I can't recognize you with the mask."  He practically ripped the mask off.  😆 I never saw that mask again.  Ya think he was glad I said something?!?!   😉

(Now Suresh, on the other hand, almost always wore a mask.)

**Side note about the pandemic in Nepal. I spoke with Rejah (remember her - daughter of the family whose home I visited?) about the pandemic.  It came up as we were discussing how long their family has owned their homestay.

They bought in within the past 10 years - then in 2015 Nepal experienced a horrible earthquake, then the pandemic. Ugh.

She was in shock when I told her about the people in the US who didn't believe in covid, and then the ones who said it would be over the day after the election (remember them???) to which she responded, "But it was happening all over the world."  She immediately saw how idiotic that thinking was.) Then I told her how people complained and fought about wearing masks, and how those same people said the ones who don't want to get Covid should just stay home.

She was HORRIFIED.   "Where is the sense of community and each other, asked?" 

"I know," I said. 

SMH - I still can't believe that is the story of our country's response.

I don't know how Nepal fared overall, though vaccationations are compulsory.

I do know that Reja and her family took great care to stay healthy (though she did get Covid once but was asympotamic.). Here's to Reja and her family moving forward in health and wellness and success in their business!

Anyway ... Back to heading to the plane in the hopes of seeing Mt Everest.

We boarded on time, and even took off on time, but after getting up in the air we ended up viewing clouds for the next 45 minutes.  

The best view of the mountains was when we landed back at the airport 😁

Fortunately Buddha Air offers a refund (or a reschedule) so I booked for the next morning.  Maybe the second time will be the charm.

Time to head back to the hotel ...

At 10AM Suresh and Gulson arrived to take us to the next destination - the National Botanical Garden.

As soon as we enter the grounds I know this was another good decision.  The gardens are peaceful, and beautiful, and since I was tired it was going to be a great place to just meander and stroll.  Not much energy needed, thank goodness.

We arrived about the time it opened so there weren't many people.  Within an hour couples and groups of young people and families started to arrive.

The 4th grade teacher in me wondered, "Do their schools take field trips?" because this would be the perfect place.  It wasn't too long before we could hear a joyful noise - a large group of elementary school students. Ahhh, that sound of excitement and chatter all balled up into one giant ball of happiness.  That warmed my heart.

Yup, kids are the same all over the world.

Suresh told me he comes to the Botanical Gardens regularly for birdwatching. He said it is one of the best places.  He diligently continued to work to spot birds for me.  Honestly, I was so tired I didn't care LOL though of course I really appreciated his wanting me to see as many birds as possible so I got out my binoculars and went along with the program.  

What was really cute was a few times that morning and during the previous day's birdwatching, Suresh would be so pleased when he got me to see certain species.  He would say, "You are so lucky to see that one." As I have said, he has been a great guide.  

You know this is the part where I post pictures of the birds 😂

Common Mynah

Long-tailed Shrike

Hoopoe 

(random fact- this is the National Bird of Israel)

Red-billed Blue Magpie

(Yes, of course I stole these pictures from the internet 😉)

Some of the first plants that really caught my eye were these Fern Trees.  Who knew?!?!

With the steep mountainside as the backdrop and all the greenery, plus those crazy ferns - Welcome to Pandora!  

We meandered from area to area - no real agenda - enjoying the lovely sights and sounds of birds chirping and streams flowing

We spotted young couples stealing some private time in different pavilion areas; we passed groups of young women giggling and posing for pictures of each other; we saw families stopping in front of different sights for group pictures.  You know, just like it would be at home.  So cute!

Plus, plants and flowers, of course 😎

And marigolds, always marigolds.

I may have already shared this Marigolds have always held a special place in my heart.  They remind me of being a child and my mother planting them in our backyard garden.  Ahhhhh - summertimes memories - thanks, Mom! 💜

The purple flowers above - Globe Amaranth - are made into garland to be used for Bhai Tika - the last day of the Diwali.

On that day sisters worship their brothers and pray for their long life, health and prosperity.  It is a celebration of sisterhood and brotherhood.

Awwwww, that really is sweet.

Long life, health and prosperity to my own brothers, Ryan and Robert.

💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

This year Bhai Tika is Oct. 27.  I will still be here.  YAY!

Autumn is around the corner and that means that many of the plants were not in bloom.  It was all still very lovely.  

Inevitably the trees and plants that were flowering were not indigenous.  Suresh has very clear thoughts on this - if he were in charge of the gardens there would be ONLY native species as a way to preserve and honor Nepali heritage and culture. I get that.

There were many workers keeping busy, though the plants in the greenhouses were not in prime condition.  This is not a criticism.  I just suspect they don't have the funds to keep everything going to a high standard.

We passed workers having lunch - always sitting cross-legged on the ground - chatting and eating.  

When we came upon this pond even I could tell it had something to do with royalty - the Coronation Pond.  It commemorated King Birenda Bir Bikram Sha Dev who reigned 1945-2001.  His reign ended brutally when his family was massacred.  This led to the overthrow of the Nepali monarchy.  (From what I can gather, Nepal now has a government structure similar to UK - Prime Minister appointed by Parliament and Nepalis voting for representiaves in parliament.)

We did see some flowers, and lots of butterflies ...

My favorite 💛💜💛💜

A lovely morning!  Suresh even bought some plants to take home to his garden ...

I was still very tired and we had one more smaller stop on our agenda.- the Garden of Dreams.    I decided to not go. Instead I had them drop me off at Hard Rock Cafe Kathmandu 😎

I was ready to chill and I wanted to buy a t-shirt, and a key friend for my friend, Judy, who collects them.  Plus, I knew I needed to finally take the plunge and walk around the city by myself.  I don't mind the walking, etc, it's the idea of crossing the streets that is terrifying.  Ask anyone you know who has been there. 😆

So let's talk about this - the traffic - for a moment because you must understand the traffic flow in Kathmandu to understand why I would be nervous.  

Basically, imagine a city with almost zero traffic lights and no stop signs - Read that again - zero traffic lights and no stop signs (there are some traffic police at major intersections to control flow but that is absolutely minimal.)

With no traffic lights and no stop signs comes traffic that moves CONTINUOUSLY (almost - sometimes there is a jam) but basically it's non-stop.   

Thankfully, speed is very controlled otherwise it would be a disaster but still... 

This is absolutely an exercise in awareness, cooperation and trust.

You have to trust the everyone is paying attention .. .you have to be aware of the pedestrians, cars, a zillion motorbikes and you have to cooperate to give others a chance to turn, etc...

Also, lanes are basically a suggestion and people pass by each other all the time to get around.

It's super amazing, honestly, BUT the idea of trying to cross a street when the traffic does not stop is frightening.  (And note that the lanes that are basically "suggestions.")

Now with all of that said, the roads actually feel safer.  I know, weird, right?!?!  No running red lights - basically no speeding - everyone working together ... it's actually amazing!

But still, being new to the city and learning to cross the street is daunting becuase you are going to have to walk in front of some traffic at some point and just trust they will stop.  

So ... back to my Hard Rock Cafe stop. I knew I was going to have to walk back to the hotel but it was time.

I was greeted by super duper friendly young people at Hard Rock.  I went into the shop first, and they showed me how to get up to the restaurant.

The staff - again, all young people -  at the restaurant was also super friendly from the moment I stepped off the elevator.

Someone please teach me how to take a decent selfie for god's sake 😂

As soon I sat down I felt more relaxed than I had in days.  It just felt like a slice of "home."  I love to travel but my overthinking, non-stop processing of "new" keeps me on the tense side and Hard Rock felt familiar. It was just what I needed.

My waiter could not have been more attentive and as soon as we started chatting about 4 other young waiters flocked to my table to ask me where I am from, where I am going in Nepal, etc.  I felt like a celebrity 😁

I thought I was going to get a burger (would have been a buffalo burger as that is what they eat here) but some other things caught my eye and I ended up ordering boom-boom shrimp.  Plus, my waiter pointed out the special Breast Cancer Awareness Month special menu from which part of the proceeds go to the cause.  There was no doubt I also had to order something from it (Yes, I had breast cancer, but I ordered it in honor of my dear friend, Mel, who recently passed away from Metastatic Breast Cancer.  I still have a hole in my heart 💔 Love you, Mel 💜💗)

I did ask my waiters what they thought the best walking route back to the hotel. (They suggested what I had thought but it was good to get confirmation.)

One more thing about Kathmandu - no street names.  Yes, no street names.

After I ate I headed back to the shop ready to spend :)

Okay - time to get walking.  It was a fairly direct route with only a few turns but it still required crossing the street.  So I did what any newbie would do, I "hitchhiked" with others who were crossing the street at the same time, even if I had to speed up to get with them.  So far, so good UNTIL ... until I had to cross the street at a major intersection where no one else was stopping to cross.  

I hate not knowing what I am doing.  I equally hate looking like I don't know what I am doing.  (Yes, it's a character flaw.) So I did what anyone else in my situation would do - I stopped for only a moment looked around and then kept going beyond my spot following the man in head of me hoping he would cross sometime soon.😂😂😂

As luck would have it he had noticed me and at that moment he stopped and told me "Go now," and then he kept walking in the other direction.  Ahhh, but for the kindness of strangers I may still be walking "back to the hotel" ...

I have since become more comfortable crossing the smaller streets for sure but those bigger roads still scare the bejeezus out of me. 

So this brings me to my next observation - I am not a "solo" traveler.  I have really learned that on this trip.  Some people love it, I am not one of them.

First of all, I am a talker (no comments, please 😍). It's how I process. Yes, I can talk with Suresh, etc. but it's not the same.

Second, because of this "don't like to look like I don't know what I am doing," is much easier when I have someone else to help figure things out.

Don't get me wrong, this trip is amazing; but I am glad part of my Nepal journey will be with a small tour group (which I am actually with now but since I am still a few days behind on my posts you don't know that, yet.)

I think by now it's obvious I made it back to then hotel.

Long nap then room service for dinner. 

Finally trying the Momos - a Nepali "fast food" and specialty. Who doesn't  love dumplings!?!?  These were chicken. A.MA.ZING!!!!!!  My salad was quite good, too.

Side note on salad: When you are traveling in Nepal you need to be sure the restaurant where you are eating uses purified water to clean vegetables, etc."

Another great day in the books and off to bed since tomorrow morning is another early one for that Himalayas Mountain viewing flight.

*This post is in honor of you, Mel Flinn.*

You were a special friend for a special time.  

I will always hold you close to my heart. 💜

Love, Krissie-pooh. (this is what Mel called me)

*As always, friends, please go easy on my spelling, grammar, etc.  I am not proofreading.  I don't want to make this feel like work.)