Day 3 ::Stranded in Kathmandu ::

Lukla lost in the clouds...

5.30: the time we were due report at the lobby
4.45: was the time we set our alarm
4.50: was when the black out happened in the hotel

It seems on hindsight, an omen of things to come

Bounded for Lukla
We had been rearing to go,
to finally start real trekking
we sat on a rickety small plane
and flew over our destination
the winds were not to our favour
and the clouds forbid us to land

We ended up back at the Kathmandu Airport
Tired and grumpy with an unsatisfactory breakfast in our tummy
The wait became a postponement till the next day
our hopes were dashed
and new fears were added to the success of our trip

We ended up sight seeing around Kathmandu
Under a punishing sun after a brisk shower
Such unpredictability is the weather ...

While inflexibility weights us down
Expectations are always set after all
A zen attitude is a boon to travelling

We saw 3 famous temples and 1 ancient city
and learned about the stupas,
the meanings of the face on every stupa



The "eyes" represent the all-seeing eye of the gods,
looking out into the world

The "nose" symbolises that all religion are 1
No discrimination
The symbol is used to represent the no 1 in their currency notes as well

The is no "mouth" as the gods do not speak to humanity

The interesting blend of Buddhism and Hinduism
and the existence of the caste system
make this country seem familiar yet mystical
Refreshing yet traditional

Along the say, we had witnessed no less than 6 weddings
The guide told us that today was an auspicious day to get married
Perhaps today is just not a good day to fly.. ;p


While I am not superstitious
It is hard not to feel at peace
watching the prayer flags fluttering in the sky
To watch the prayer wheels turn around and round
and feel the sun shine on your face

I could not help but to send a silent prayer to the heavens above
That tomorrow brings a smooth sailing flight....

:: Kathmandu Day 1&2 :: Prelude to Chaos

Feverish with sleep
I had arrived in Kathmandu
the airport being just a red brick building
so nondescript in its construction
you wonder if it had began for that very purpose


The winds had rocked the plane
with the in-fight lights slightly fading suddenly in flashes
For a moment I wondered if we will never make it down
And pondered how will we die
if the plane had crashed
I had decided, actually it all doesn't matter
If I had died, it will just be an end of life
Then nothing matters anymore
anyway...

There was another scare as we left the airport
where we were fleeced by masquerading porters
and Zhuang learned a dear 200 USD lesson.

Sometimes I think he is too nice
and sometimes I wonder how streetwise he is
I worry, sometimes

The transport workers' strike had paralyzed the roads
we felt vulnerable while people banged the outside of our vans
there was just a huge mass, crowded around
it was not violence in action
it was the potential of violence that was scary
like a time bomb ticking away

Scary but mildly exciting
Nothing like that could have happened in Singapore
We are too ordered, too rule-abiding
and too caught up in our own lives to care

In a sense, I think we have lost the passion,
the believe, the need to stand for our rights.
Perhaps it comes from poverty
Perhaps it comes from social uncertainty
Perhaps its comes from a free-thinking mind
But who is to blame
for our current benign state of mind

Perhaps no one
Even so, I am aware but not willing to change anything
So why should others??

Day 2 awaits
~with sunny side-ups, baked tomatoes and milky think Nepalese tea
Life is good for now :p