Don't tell the missus! Kathmandu.

[ltnt]

Betty's free, white, and over 21, so guess he can make his own decisions. Not saying they're all good decisions, but nonetheless they are his decisions.

Moralists have no place in Katmandu.

[Bettyboo]

I told the missus about K yesterday. Kinda. But, I'm running out of cash, so I might have to ask her to give me some... otherwise, I might not be able to fully enjoy meself in K, or B before I leave, or L where I'll be going between the 19th and 26th.

It'll be a busy-ish time after the 6 days doing nothing in K; fly to M to cancel the current work visa (I fuked up by not sorting that out before I left and with Ramydamy and EID it's just made things worse...), fly a short hop to AD the same day (I have some airmiles with Etihad I'll use up) then onto L; probably stay with my aunt and her family, or maybe me brother. Then, once the new work visa is sorted out, I'm back to M for another year of work... I'll come back next July, house completed, car fully paid for, and a penny or 2 in the bank (although I've still got study bills and loans to pay orf, so maybe a 3rd year in O will be required to put a little buffer in the bank). As I said, this time next year I'd really like to go to Ankor, Vietnam and Burma, we'll see...

EN, how's it going, mate? Out at the weekend?

Right, I'm gonna book a few days in a hotel. I was gonna skimp, but I think I'll splash out and look in the $30-$35 per night range!

[Lostandfound]

Just wandering around Thamel is worth a day or so. Lots of cheap hotels.

For a splurge evening meal try the Nepalese food at the Dwarikas Hotel a bit further away

Be careful of the local weed. It'll have you walking on the ceiling

[Bettyboo]

Dioesn't sound too bad...

[Lostandfound]

Dioesn't sound too bad...

Last time there , seven years ago, hired a rickshaw driver who showed me around whilst I was sorting some things to go off trekking plus the odd bit of local weed. Kept him on a daily retainer so I only had one of them ever to deal with.

Poor lad got mugged and had his arm slashed with a machete to the bone. He'd bandaged himself up a bit and was still patiently waiting for me outside the hotel in Thamel. I dragged him off in a cab to local hospital and got him stitched up and jabbed etc.

Next day he turned up and gave me a little present, nicely wrapped, of three perfectly rolled joints and invited me to his family hovel to meet the family for a dinner, which I declined.

I encountered more gracious and welcoming friendship and hospitality in Nepal in five days than I ever saw in Thailand in five years.

If you come across a rickshaw driver aged 22 ish outside the Kathmandu Guest House with a fecking big scar on his forearm, say hello for me.

[Bettyboo]

Nice story -not for his arm...

Everyone says the Nepalese are very nice; I've met half a dozen in Thailand, and they have been. I booked 2 nights in a cheap Thamel gh come hotel, then 4 nights in a niuce hotel in a forest reserve. I'm looking forward to relaxing, reading a book and generally being in a nice place for the first time with no agenda. I'll take some pics and load them up when I get to the wifi in London in a couple of weeks.

[Latindancer]

Looking forward to it....I've never been there.

[natalie8]

seven years ago,

If you come across a rickshaw driver aged 22 ish

So he was only 15 at the time??? Geesh, poor guy having to put up with all that. Very kind and generous though. Too bad you didn't make it to his home.

[natalie8]

Sounds really nice, BB. I hope you do a picture thread too.

[Bettyboo]

Thanks, Natalie - I will. Not as good as your pics though, just a basic camera phone.

[Lostandfound]

I'd steer well clear of anything with meat in it in Nepal, unless it's been boiled to death in front of you and served straight away. The buff steaks can literally kill you.

[Latindancer]

And be extra careful with drinking water. A Swedish friend got amoebic dysentery there. Just take care with hygiene like you would in India...

[misskit]

It's easy to get sick in Nepal if you are not very careful about what you eat and drink.


In what forest reserve will you stay, BB?

[Bettyboo]

In what forest reserve will you stay, BB?

Bouda & Gokarna Forest Reserve (easy access to the airport when I leave, and supposedly a very nice hotel). It's likely one of those 'city' forest reserves, but I'm not really going into the heart of Nepal, just a taster...

Thanks for the advice about food and water; noted.

[Lostandfound]

And be extra careful with drinking water. A Swedish friend got amoebic dysentery there. Just take care with hygiene like you would in India...

Even in restaurants hotels do not drink any water that is not brought to you in a sealed bottle. If the seal is broken, send it back. It's not unknown for workers to dilute the bottle water with tap and pocket the difference.

[misskit]

In what forest reserve will you stay, BB?

Bouda & Gokarna Forest Reserve (easy access to the airport when I leave, and supposedly a very nice hotel). It's likely one of those 'city' forest reserves, but I'm not really going into the heart of Nepal, just a taster...

I took a look on the map to see where you are staying and got a giggle. That is a great location, really. Right on the bus line going by Bauda Stupa and the side of town where the big Tibetain and Sherpa monistaries are. So much to see just between your resort and town.

[Bettyboo]

Thanks Misskit. I don't know Nepal at all; I'm only there for 6 days as a taster, it's rainy season, I won''t be hiking or anything adventurous... so I'm being a boit of a towny.

2 days in the middle of town and 2 days at the edge of town - hope I get some nice views on a day trip or half day trip.

[Dillinger]

Have a nice time for find relak and book leeding khun betty. Am look forward to leed photo monastory Mak mak krub