Little men scurry to help pick up my luggage and of course want a small tip…under his breath the man says….”American money” which I politely say, no. Wel-come to Nepal!  I Experience a first time when the taxi is not waiting from the hotel.  No phone, no information center.  BUT many more people wanting to “help” for a small fee of course.  I engage in a conversation with a young man who walks off, pulls out his Chinese made Iphone and calls the hotel for me. Madam they are on their way ..”American money”?

Again I say no.  There is another American standing and waiting and so I offer him a ride with me as his hotel is in the same Thamel area.  Taking a year off to travel the world before going to graduate school we have a delightful conversation. He is on an adventure.
Always amazing to arrive and see the abundance of chaos in a city so full of everything.  From the half naked child being raised to pee on the street to the dogs that scurry in between moving cars and buses. The constant honking of horns that make protest to no one as everyone else is honking too.  And yet in this confusion comes love of a people who yearn to have more than subsistence living for their families.

I travel 30 min to the hotel chatting with the driver in his broken English.  I am back and energized to work and spend the holidays with people I love and care for. Time to surprise people as only one person knew I was coming.  I have never done this before!  Fun!!

Pollution hangs over the city on my first day traveling by motorcycle.  Cold air rips at my green windbreaker but cannot penetrate the layers of clothing I have so carefully put on with my grey stocking cap fitting snugly on my head. Glasses on and sunglasses fitting over them I travel these roads in and out of cars we go, not too fast and not to slow to purchase supplies. The flow of traffic seems to be better as road progress has been made in the last 6 months..but then there is always that daredevil that decides he can, as in the past, drive on the wrong side of the road.  Times are changing in Nepal.  New rules, traffic police and some order. Hallelujah…..I think.

Masses of people move and jostle in the small alleys known as the best place to shop in Kathmandu.  Dark alleys are lined with tiny shops less than 20 square feet of floor to ceiling “stuff” that covers each shop who seem to sell much of what their neighbors sells. I see a frying pan and need to squeeze through a minuscule space as a motorcycle is parked in the entry way. No problem, turn sideways, fit inside an even smaller space,  ask the price. Too much so I squeeze out again.  A dog rushes by and my mind wonders how that bike stays standing at all as hundreds of people push to get by. An interesting challenge to buy clothing and hats for James in the mountains as we traverse this area stopping and bargaining our way, Sandip and I on a mission.

Home to eat and sleep and try to get over jet lag.  Air is cold, bed is warm and I sleep well. Fried bananas and apples for breakfast, more planning and trips coming up to Pokhara ( a six hr bus trip in a tourist bus) and then a 12 hr trip( one way) by local bus to Dolakha for the school project. 70 people in a bus made for 40 on mountain roads ( I am told the driver drives slowly, mamma so don’t worry) does not seem to entertain my mind in a most positive way.  Lol Will meet this Thursday with MountainChild a ministry run by Pastor David Platt. Thank you for your prayers , keep them coming, a most welcome and heartwarming encouragement to me.  Please feel free to write it too, thisis a form of great encouragement.