After a good night's sleep and several bottles of courage at the hotel's watering hole till the wee hours, we ventured out yesterday morning to greet the unknown world of Kathmandu.
What an amazing experience! As you might have heard, Erwin is describing this trip as "excruciatingly enjoyable". For those of you who feel you've seen poverty at it's worst, this is a match, yet we were able to enjoy many positive and enlightening experiences.
We've probably been to more temples than our Hindu population in Abbotsford. From riverside, open-fire cremations of commoners and royalty, to a hidden 14th century community, where they still beat grain with sticks to gather seed, and goats and chickens live amongst the families, to viewing ancient carvings depicting the Kama Sutra, which are approved Hindu sexual positions. (No need for Playboy here!) Cows are sacred and roam freely amongst the streets, eating and pooping at will. Children in school uniforms, walk to school on dirt paths, within inches of being run over by vehicles snarled in traffic (especially by tourists in taxis) .
We were blessed yesterday by a Hindu Holy Man; however, we're still not sure what the blessing entales. Erwin and I received red and yellow powder on our foreheads and had orange flowers sprinkled over our heads. With Erwin's hair gel, the flowers stayed in all day!
On another note, we've had to make a decision. There is a high degree of competitiveness amongst the teams here, and in order for us to stay in the top percentile, we feel we would lose the ability to fully absorb the culture and experiences of the countries that we have and will be visiting. So don't expect to see us in the running for 1st place anytime soon.....it's become more important for both of us to "enjoy the moment" to the fullest. We'll still be in the competition as there's great opportunities to see and do, and let's face it, we are still competitive to a certain degree, and we don't want to be last!
Tommorrow we'll have been on this journey for 12 days, the half-way point. At 4pm we hand in our scorecards for Nepal and get our marching orders for our next location.
p.s. Erwin wants you all to know that he's helping me with the narrative in this blog.....he's feeling left out, could you give him a little praise for this blog as well? :)
What an amazing experience! As you might have heard, Erwin is describing this trip as "excruciatingly enjoyable". For those of you who feel you've seen poverty at it's worst, this is a match, yet we were able to enjoy many positive and enlightening experiences.
We've probably been to more temples than our Hindu population in Abbotsford. From riverside, open-fire cremations of commoners and royalty, to a hidden 14th century community, where they still beat grain with sticks to gather seed, and goats and chickens live amongst the families, to viewing ancient carvings depicting the Kama Sutra, which are approved Hindu sexual positions. (No need for Playboy here!) Cows are sacred and roam freely amongst the streets, eating and pooping at will. Children in school uniforms, walk to school on dirt paths, within inches of being run over by vehicles snarled in traffic (especially by tourists in taxis) .
We were blessed yesterday by a Hindu Holy Man; however, we're still not sure what the blessing entales. Erwin and I received red and yellow powder on our foreheads and had orange flowers sprinkled over our heads. With Erwin's hair gel, the flowers stayed in all day!
On another note, we've had to make a decision. There is a high degree of competitiveness amongst the teams here, and in order for us to stay in the top percentile, we feel we would lose the ability to fully absorb the culture and experiences of the countries that we have and will be visiting. So don't expect to see us in the running for 1st place anytime soon.....it's become more important for both of us to "enjoy the moment" to the fullest. We'll still be in the competition as there's great opportunities to see and do, and let's face it, we are still competitive to a certain degree, and we don't want to be last!
Tommorrow we'll have been on this journey for 12 days, the half-way point. At 4pm we hand in our scorecards for Nepal and get our marching orders for our next location.
p.s. Erwin wants you all to know that he's helping me with the narrative in this blog.....he's feeling left out, could you give him a little praise for this blog as well? :)
7 comments:
Hi Janice and Erwin
I'm finally aboard to follow your great adventure
I'm so impressed
lex
Hey Guys, Love your blog Erwin, great job! I hope you are enjoying the weather where you are as we just had snow on Friday. Don't feel too bad for us though, today is a beautiful spring day and we are enjoying your flowers.
Thanks for the updates we have been enjoying following your adventure.The pictures are great particularly enjoyed the colourful ones from Kathmandu. Take care, Juli
Hi again,
I just read your earlier blog about Kathmandu and was glad to see that in daylight you were feeling better about your surroundings. I think your sister is correct in stating this could be one of the most memorable experiences of your trip.
Obviously in my last comment I really liked the word enjoy will try to refrain from my over use of the same word in the future. Have fun, Juli
Hi... love the Mr.Rooter doll you gave the little boy! Mr. R sure does travel... :-)
You know? I think it would be really enlightening to see what you're seeing... life changing stuff! I am happy you are stopping to smell the roses along the way... no regrets!
love you both, and Yes Erwin I know you are part of the blog... sorry I didn't acknowledge but I think you did one all on your own a couple days ago... am I right?
O... we may be taking you up on staying at your place for a couple nights on the 29th...if that's still ok?
Love Jacki
I have been catching up on all that you are doing. What an amazing trip! Can't wait to hear all the other stories when you get back.
Hi J&E
I'm obviously the less observant sister - didn't notice the boy was holding a Mr R doll. So you're off to Bahrain next ... I finally found a map to track your route. I'm guessing an Eastern European country after that - or maybe Turkey. Where-ever you are, have a great time and keep us posted. Deb
looks like you guys are having tons of fun. i'm sitting here in a giant puddle of envy. good luck with rest of your journey.
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