Where to start......Kathmandu is the mirror opposite of Singapore. This is a very poor country with terrible infrastructure, smog, 18th century living along with cell phones and jeans.
We arrived here late yesterday afternoon and it was dark before we ventured out into the streets of the city. I think I experienced total culture shock coming from our elegant, 5 star hotel to the dark, dusty, busy streets of Kathmandu. I felt uncomfortable, but not really afraid....there is very little crime here.....however, I felt like I'd landed on some strange planet that I couldn't quite make sense of.
Just outside the hotel gates must be one of the poorer regions of the city. The buildings are all approx 3 stories tall, made of red brick. There was no electricity in this area, so we saw small shop stalls lit by candles and gas flames. I think most of the light came from the vehicles travelling the streets. It felt eery.....the dust and smog were choking me....I was definitely out of my comfort zone. I was happy to see the Hyatt later that evening, it feels like an oasis amongst the constant whirlwind of noise, cars and people that is this city.
I keep on thinking....why am I here?
We arrived here late yesterday afternoon and it was dark before we ventured out into the streets of the city. I think I experienced total culture shock coming from our elegant, 5 star hotel to the dark, dusty, busy streets of Kathmandu. I felt uncomfortable, but not really afraid....there is very little crime here.....however, I felt like I'd landed on some strange planet that I couldn't quite make sense of.
Just outside the hotel gates must be one of the poorer regions of the city. The buildings are all approx 3 stories tall, made of red brick. There was no electricity in this area, so we saw small shop stalls lit by candles and gas flames. I think most of the light came from the vehicles travelling the streets. It felt eery.....the dust and smog were choking me....I was definitely out of my comfort zone. I was happy to see the Hyatt later that evening, it feels like an oasis amongst the constant whirlwind of noise, cars and people that is this city.
I keep on thinking....why am I here?
3 comments:
Hi J&E
This blog entry certainly has a different tone. I knew this race was about raising awareness and your comments prompted me to revisit the GE Foundation page. We're all taking this rags to riches journey with you - I think that's why the blogs are so important. I appreciate your dedication.
Happy scavenging - Deb
Hello over there...
Sounds like you are on the other side of the world... -oops! you are!!!
Your desciption of Kathmandu is awesome... it gives me the general tone of where you are and what you're seeing... what you feel as uncomfortable might end up being your most memorable time in the trip?!
Looking forward to tomorrow,
Jacki - favorite youngest sister!
Hi Janice & Erwin,
I'm thoroughly enjoying your wonderful gift of story-telling, Janice! Your words have a way of conveying all that you've done to make me think that I'm right there with you. But would I want to be? I'm not so sure that I'd like to be on such a strict time schedule and it sounds a bit too competitive for my liking. As for me, I'm looking forward to 2 nights in Vegas followed by a 3 day cruise along the Pacific Coast. Two totally new experiences for this cousin of yours!
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