In Kathmandu

Pic at left is washing drying on the grass, while kids play on an improvised swing in the background - taken near Thamel.

We have now arrived in Kathmandu, but unfortunately upon arrival we were met with some very sad news. The very same day 18 people had died in a plane crash at Lukla, the airport on the Everest Base Cap trek. As anyone who has seen it knows, it is a very "unique" airport, with some interesting conditions to land and take-off in. I remember watching planes come and go on my last trek, and saying...not this little black duck...I'm all for walking..in and out! Of course I am left with the small problem of the bus ride too and from Jiri, which in itself can be hair raising.

There have obviously been many changes since my last time here, but in some ways the changes have been less than I expected. The poverty is still grinding and in many ways there does not seem to have been much "development" outside of the city core. The development money, which has not been minor, has seemed to have disappeared into a dark hole before ever reaching those that need it. Roads still stretch the definition of what a road is. Of course the Thamel tourist area has grown immensely with many many more restaurants and guest houses, but other parts of Kathmandu that I have seen so far (admittedly not too much as we are recovering from some stomach problems from the flight) seem to have changed far less. There are definitely more cars, which the narrow streets can barely handle and also quite a few kids sniffing something from plastic bags wandering around too.

Next stop is to find a guide/porter and rent some equipment. It looks like we will be spoiled for choice...which sometimes is NOT a good thing.