Stupid Fun
The group tour has ended and now it’s back to solo adventure (Well, solo as in me and a guide. I promise I am not just completely by myself, Mom. 😇)
I enjoy a leisurely breakfast with the morning paper and a latte. And of course, my little Metamucil biscuits 😂 (Don’t be a hater - they are delicious and surprising satisfying for only 100 calories)
Today marks the 1st day of Tihar AKA Festival of Lights – the second most important holiday in Nepal. It was super cute to see a whole page in the newspaper dedicated to getting ready for the festival.
I told her I am checking into my new hotel, Nepali Ghar and then heading to lunch at Hard Rock Café followed up by some shopping for some last-minute items for my upcoming trek. I told her I would LOVE it if she wanted to join me, and I was super happy when she responded with a very enthusiastic, "Yes!" (You never know – some travelers would consider Hard Rock Café “beneath” them and I was tickled Dorothy was not one of them.)
Dorothy met me at Nepali Ghar and then we headed off on foot to Hard Rock.
We made it to Hard Rock, i.e., survived crossing the streets. I had originally thought I wanted a burger, but the Cobb Salad Dorothy was ordering ended up winning. OMG – it was delicious.
We both literally ordered the same exact thing – the salad and a Coke Zero, and we both totally enjoyed it.
It looked EXACTLY like this and it was SOOO good!
(Yes, this was my second visit to Hard Rock since arriving in Kathmandu. Don’t judge. 😎)
Now for the other shopping - I needed some pants for my trek and a hat.
There is a main drag in the city that has all the big-name outdoor stores. I hit the jackpot at Mountain Hard Wear. Two pairs of the perfect weight pants that and a hat. Score!
It was a fantastic book store with an owner who knew her inventory so well that whenever you asked for a book on a certain topic she could find at least something to show you.
And I bought too many books – yes, books, as in the heaviest souvenir you can buy. 😆
Not only that but Dorothy and I cracked up when we realized we both bought the same book, unbeknownst to each other.
You know what they say, Great minds and all.
But maybe the most precious moment of all was one of those “you can’t plan it” moments.
Dorothy had been on a so far unsuccessful hunt for tweezers during the whole trip. She spotted a small market where she wanted to try once again. She asked one person, and that person directed her to a young woman. Through perfect hand gestures Dorothy described what she was looking for and the young woman went directly to a spot and produced the coveted item.
Dorothy was thrilled. But that’s not the good part …
At the cash register Dorothy asked the young woman her age and if she was in school. College, if I remember. Then Dorothy paid and proceeded to offer the young lady money towards her schooling. The woman was so humble and declined and kept saying, “No, No,” and then another woman working at the store signaled to her to take the money and she did. And she was overjoyed.
I will never know how much money Dorothy gave her, but I know that woman was thrilled. She kept bowing and saying, "Thank you Thank you." It was a pleasure to watch.
It was the perfect end to a perfect day.
Dorothy and I had hit it off quite easily from Day 1 of the Group Tour. We made each other laugh easily and we had good, interesting conversations. Today, we ended up having just plain old fun. What my mom and I like to call, Stupid Fun.
It felt like a normal girlfriend day at home. Easy conversation and lots of laughs. We had spent enough time in Kathmandu by then that we were just walking the sidewalks like we lived there instead of “sightseeing.”
The best feeling!
I'm so glad you two got to spend more time together like Dororthy and me. Everyone in the group was so cool I hope I get to see some more of you all again the future
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