Nicole and I are sitting at the airport in Kathmandu all checked in and waiting for our midnight 30 flight to Dubai. The check-in process went very smoothly and faster than expected. We got to the airport way too early as we still have two hours before we depart. Better earlier than late!
We started the day by sleeping in. Nicole went down and had breakfast but I decided I better not eat as my tummy was still a bit cranky. When Nicole came back up we watched a movie on Netflix on my iPad.
We had hired a guide to show us around a market. We went down to the front desk to get a taxi to go meet the guide and we found out the guide was ill and couldn’t meet us. He had recommended a place for Nicole to get a tattoo so we headed that way in the taxi. Another couple from the tour joined us.
We got dropped off in a market of sorts that had lots and lots of souvenir shops. It was a very narrow road with a deep ditch on each side. Lots of people and traffic so it was a bit of a challenge to look in the shops, watch for traffic, and find safe places to place my feet.
We walked down to the tattoo shop and Nicole got a Nepal tattoo. The other couple and I sat and waited until she was done. The guy did a neat job and was quick.
After the tattoo we walked down the streets and popped in and out of some of the shops. I found some things I didn’t know I wanted. The couple that went with us found a spice shop and got something there.
There was a festival of some sort that was happening in Kathmandu today and we saw shrines that were carried by four men using bamboo poles. The streets were littered with leftover flowers they used to decorate the shrines.
After an hour or more of walking the streets we found a taxi to take us back to the hotel. As usual it was a bit of a scary ride back as traffic was particularly heavy in spots. I close my eyes and trust that all is well. It was and we made it back in one piece. The 15 minute taxi ride was 500 rubies or $3 US.
When we got back to the hotel we went to the restaurant in the hotel and had lunch. Another couple that had been on the tour came in and joined us. We sat and visited for over an hour. I had plain rice and some bread.
After lunch we went up to our rooms and I managed to take a nice long nap. Nicole watched a movie and rested but she wasn’t able to sleep.
At 8:00 we had to check out of our room so we packed up and went downstairs to settle our bill with the hotel. We sat in the lobby for about 25 minutes until our ride showed up to take us to the airport. Traffic was lighter than I had seen it and we got to the airport in about 15 minutes.
Our flight leaves at 00:30 to Dubai. It is a five hour flight. We have a five hour layover in Dubai and then a 14:30 hour flight to JFK. From there a two hour layover and a flight to Detroit and then to KC. I think we arrive in KC 36 hours from now.
The time thing is wacky though as we leave very early Friday morning here and arrive Friday evening in KC but we will have been traveling for 36 hours.
Not sure if I will attempt the drive home Friday evening or if I will stay over a night. It will depend on how much I am able to sleep on the flights.
This has been an amazing adventure. Sure wished I had packed my ruby red slippers and could make the next 36 hours go by quickly.
Grateful for an easy check-in process at the airport, grateful we didn’t have to run in the airport, and grateful I am almost home.