Kathmandu

I've been in Kathmandu since the 5th. To say it's been an adventure would be an understatement. Two days before arrived I learned that there was a strike that had shutdown the city. I was told no vehicles were allowed on the roads and I'd be walking everywhere. Feeling optimistic, I got on the plane without any real fears.

I arrived and found that after paying for my visa, I was short on cash. No worries, I'd just go to an atm. Wrong. All of the atms were closed, thanks to the strike. So, with enough money to pay for 3 nights at my guest house (it's about $5.70 a night), if I didn't eat much, I was a little worried. When I did find an atm, I wasn't able to take out any money and I thought my account was frozen. Unfortunately I can't couldn't connect to the bank with either my American or Indian phone so for 12 hours I was in a state of panic as I waited to get word from my mom. Eventually everything worked out and I was able to get money out.

The second major adventure was being sick. For the last 2 weeks I haven't really felt well. Mostly I was just tired and without an appetite. I had the end of classes and finals to deal with, so I slept when I could and kept on going. When it first started, one of my best friends from high school, who is in med school right now, told me I either had the flu or malaria. I haven't had the flu in about 5 years. Also, even when I take it sporadically, I still take my malaria pills, so I didn't believe her. Within 7 hours of arriving in Kathmandu, walking 10 feet made me feel like I was going to collapse. I think I might have had the flu. So, the first three days in Nepal were spent in my room, reading and sleeping. It was the perfect time to be sick because the strike ensured that everything was closed until the evening, when things were open from 6-8.

Luckily, the first day I could do stuff, was the first day the strike was over. I took a cab to the monkey temple which was cool, I just had to climb to heaven to get there, about 300 steps!

The rest of my time has been spent sight-seeing and relaxing; this is my vacation after all. For my last night in the city, the Europeans in my guesthouse took me out to a bar and for about 3 hours we sat around talking about life, travel, and our respective countries. I think I finally understand the difference between the country the UK, as well as the countries that make it up. I also learned the proper usage of the term "British." It was a good night, and I think for the first time, I actually felt like a backpacker.

In a few hours I'm off to Varanasi. I'm excited to finally go to the holiest city in India. I'll be there for 9 days so there will be plenty of time for more updates.

Continuing to engage in adventures . . .