Nepal : Geting there, first impressions (May 2 - 5)

If Nepal were a whiskey, it would be a Johnnie Walker Blue Label. It is no great coincidence that fine scotch is so prevalent in Nepal, either. The Blue Label part of this metaphor is self-evident: Nepal is home to 8 of the 10 highest, most beautiful mountain peaks on the planet as well as some of the most popular pilgrimage destinations in the world for both Hindus and Buddhists. The best of the best. But Nepal is also a dramatic blend of various elements. The majestic Himalaya of the north soaring to over 8800m are balanced by the humid and fertile Terai plains of the south at 700 m. These Himalaya are a result of the violent, plate tectonic based collision of the Indian subcontinent with the Eurasian continent, yet staying at a village in the mountains provides profound peace. And religious sites containing Buddhist stupas and Hindu temples are often shared between both religions (albeit the two have many fundamental similarities.) The only other place I've seen such religious harmony is on those mildly annoying "Coexist" bumper stickers, the purgatory window on the Lost series finale, and Bono.

Not everything blends smoothly in Nepal, though. Plenty of inter-caste/ inter-economic status tensions have mounted causing a volatile political situation that has seen the end of a monarchy, a devastating civil war, military powered Maoists, and the democratically elected government teetering on the edge of instability in the last 20 years. Like other developing, large cities, there are many sites of abject poverty. More than once during my stay I was thankful for the "Nepal Tourism 2011 Year" motto, in other words "don't frighten tourists away, they bring money."

My journey began with a ride from Brendan to SFO. I wasn't exactly looking forwards to my first 14.5 hour flight to Hong Kong, but having the interactive entertainment center to keep me busy with Sudokus and "Little Fockers" as well as a nice, smooth, directly over the wing seat made the flight actually enjoyable. After landing, my mom and I figured out how to get around in Hong Kong and made our way to Lei Garden in Causeway Bay to meet up for dim sum with my good friends from Stanford : Erica and Andrew.



It was great to see them again. I think it had been about 2 years since the last time. We chatted about our newly expecting friends, nba playoff team chances, and survivor-style reality shows. We enjoyed a very yummy dim sum selected by Andrew and Erica. Along with the ferry ride we took from Kowloon back to Hong Kong Island, dim sum was a very welcome break to the 35 hours of travel!


Our journey continued to Dhaka, Bangladesh for a 1 hour stop and then to Tribhuvan airport in Kathmandu. We had to circle Kathmandu for about 30 minutes before we were cleared to approach due to some pretty heavy thunderstorms. Made for a great view from the window seat, but a very tired Matt when we finally landed. Things could have been worse though, another wedding attendee's flight had to land in India after circling for almost 2 hours!

After landing we met Andrew, Subechya, and her brother Sabal at the airport for our ride to the Soaltee hotel. If I hadn't visited Lima, Peru a few years ago, I would have been shocked at the lawless roads and chaotic intersections of Kathmandu, but I had more or less known what to expect. I didn't expect the cars and motorbikes to negotiate right of ways with cows though! After receiving a "Namaste" greeting from 20 people on the way to my Soaltee room, it was time to rest up for the beginning of the wedding.