Day 1

Namaste Family and Friends!

We arrived to Kathmandu, Nepal around noon to humid air and an unfamiliar smell. Passing through customs went surprisingly fast and our guide shortly arrived with a bus to take us to the hotel. As soon as we entered the street we became the object of numerous stares. It was hard not to with such a big group of foreign faces. We piled in the car and continued on our way.
The streets were filled with cars, people, cows, buses, and motorbikes. All proceeded to go in whichever direction they pleased, honking horns and yelling at pedestrians. There are no sidewalks, no stop lights, no lines dividing the roads. It is one big maze that requires skilled and aggressive driving.
Upon safely arriving to the hotel we were surprised by the accommodations. It had an enclosed garden that provides a barrier to the craziness of the outside world, internet access, and personal bathrooms for each bedroom. We are all very grateful to be staying here.
Once settled we ventured out into the city on foot and soon discovered that walking was almost as difficult as driving. We roamed the roads around our hotel to get a feel for our surroundings. Every street is lined with little shops, all appearing to have the same goods. We began to understand this over crowded, maze of tiny streets, and were able to return to the hotel without getting lost.
Later, we had our first Nepali meal for dinner ranging from fried rice to curry. Everyone left with a full stomach, except for picky Kyle. Good thing he brought 60 granola bars. We'll see how long those last.
So now it is 8pm and though we are exhausted we must put off sleeping to avoid jet lag. Hopefully we will be well rested for another adventure tomorrow.

Until next time...

-Callee