NEPAL TRIP 2011: Day 3: Nepal at Last

Day Three, Kathmandu, Nepal

After surviving the layover and another 3.0 hour flight we had made it to Nepal. We arrived and were pleased to be greeted by the dryness and sun (we left Toronto with a rain snow mix). After getting our bags we were finally introduced to the craziness that Kathmandu is. Hundreds of taxi and minibus drivers yelling prices in the local currency (Nepali Rupee). Unlike many other tourists we had a secret weapon though, we had Nik from Tempus International, our partner organization.

He quickly escorted us to a private mini bus, and we took to the streets. Traffic in Nepal is very random its amazing how the flow works. You still get from point A to point B but its just way more madness (and fun!). The noise of horns, pollution, dust and flocks of people are definitely overwhelming at first but after about a day it becomes second nature.

We were headed to Rajesh's house who runs Cultural Destination Nepal an organization that provides lessons in Nepali language and culture so volunteers can do a better job wherever in Nepal they are working. Which brings me to this image, this is in front of his house on the outskirts of Kathmandu. We were all extremely tired and it was difficult to pay attention to the language lessons but his front yard was pretty awesome.

Later that evening we went out and had a cultural dinner with traditional Nepali dancing, the food including the favorite Dal Bhat and Momos was amazing but we were falling asleep at the table.

About the Picture: I seem to like pictures of landscapes framed like portraits more than the conventional way for some reason. Does anyone agree or disagree?