I'm sitting in the 'business center' of the Kathmandu Guest House. I think I may have made a huge mistake. So far, everyone seems to have come with someone and even though I've sat out in the courtyard a few times looking desperate and alone, the only person who's talked to me was an old lady from New Zealand on tour. Anyway, I got here without a problem. I love Korean Air and watched about 5 trashy movies, had an easy night in a semi-fancy Korean hotel (turns out that Korea basically looks like the US, including English signs). The flight to Kathmandu was pretty boring except for when the Japanese businessman next to me spilled his entire bowl of seaweed soup on himself. Landing in Kathmandu was pretty surreal. The difference between it and Seoul was immediately obvious: in Seoul, when the guy from the hotel picked me up and carried my baggage to my room i started reaching in my wallet for a tip and he backed out of room blushing and repeating "No, no, it's ok, no." In Kathmandu, when a wheezing old man carried my bags three feet from the airport to the beat-up Kathmandu Guest House van, I accidentally pulled a twenty out of my bag instead of a one. The five "pick-up drivers" immediately started shouting and gesturing "Yes, good tip, give it to him, yes!" and finally i got so flustered that I just gave in (after all, the guy was about 80 and about the same weight).
The drive from the airport to the guesthouse was pretty overwhelming. Everything was just more: the noises and the sounds and the colors and the smells. Everyone was honking and kids were banging on my window begging money and we almost hit about 50 people. I've been a little to scared to go back out into it, and trying to make a few friends here first. Mostly so far I'm just really, really lonely and wish someone was here with me. But I've decided to walk to Durbar Square this afternoon no matter what! So here's to independence and hopefully a friend very soon.
I miss you all like crazy. Write me an email or something, I'll be ecstatic to hear anything from anybody! Love.
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5 comments:
Hey, Soph! It was great to get some detail. It sounds like, for a trip to Kathmandu, it went pretty well. And you'll see Raj's relatives today, so that's something. I can't wait to hear about the start of tutoring. Got the Shoreline transcript done! Mom
Wow thats crazy never would have imagined it like that... Anyway i dont know who Raj but he sounds pretty cool so have fun!
Nick
my italy program was a little scary for me too last summer...until i met some people and got into a routine...so give it some time.
also, im very jealous of everything you are doing, because you are going to places that ive always wanted to go to. keep updating this blog because i def want to read about everything!
love,
Katie
Sophie, hang in there! You feel much the same way I did when I landed in Bombay the first time, alone since my "greeter" missed me and I had to find my way downtown on my own. Noise, terrible smell, but fascinating none the less - I knew I was not in Chicago any more!
Being thrown into a totally different culture is a definite shock, but I treasure all such experiences I had. So have a good day with Raj's sister and learn about Kathmandu.
And please keep up the correspondence! We want to hear about you and your activities.
Love from Grumpy
These new things, especially doing them alone, can be so scary. But think of the experience you are having and will continue to have. You will do things that most people only dream of. I can't wait to read more, as the days go on.
Oh, and cousin Barbara told me that there are tons of Israeli kids in Kathmandu, who are there on gap years before they go into the army. You will probably meet lots of interesting people!
Love from Auntie Di
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