After 25 hours of international travel, 180 degrees to the other side of the world, we arrived at Tribuvahn International Airport about 20 minutes late at 8:40 am Saturday morning. The early monsoon made the air thick and humid, and a deluge over Kathmandu was imminent.
The lightning and thunder made the power in the airport flicker and cut out for brief intervals, and the air grew more oppressively humid. Then, just as we were changing money on the way out of the airport, buckets of rain descended on the city.
Our trek coordinator, Shree was outside to meet us and whisked us away to the company van for the twenty minute ride to Bhaktipur, Kathmandu’s sister city filled with sacred significance. There is a brand new, six-lane highway leading to Bhaktapur making for a twenty minute drive from the airport instead of an hour and a half pre-highway.
Rain soaked but running on adrenaline, our city guide Rashmeela led us to Bhaktapur proper to see very old and sacred pagodas, stupas, palaces, and shops. Bhaktapur is one of many UNESCO World Heritage sites in the Kathmandu Valley, and depending on the level of upkeep required, can require some relatively steep admission fees for foreigners ($15 per person in this case).
So far we have taken Hindu and Buddhist blessings (puja), been overwhelmed by a visit to Pashipatunath cremation grounds, and were awed by the Buddha’s eyes at Boudhanath.
We have experienced so much amazement and wonder in just the first few days it could already fill a book. More to come, hopefully soon.
Rebecca, Michelle, and Alec Trekking Nepal 
May 03, 2011 @ 22:58:39
ALec:
I am not at all sure how to post on a “Blog.” Even Facebook intimidates me. Forgive any breach of etiquette, etc. As one of my favorite politicians said repeatedly, “I am just an old country lawyer.”
I have enjoyed your entries very much. They are vivid verbal portraits of your journey. Thank you for the time and care. They (incidentally) serve to placate a worried old man.
Please tell my buddy, Michelle, she is thought of, often and fondly, by the “Sat. Morning Breakfast Bunch.” Kathy and I found ourselves in the same area of rural Texas and met for lunch at Gonzales, Texas. (She was a visiting Judge somewhere west of there.) Michelle, you were one of the main items of conversation. Both of us are anxious to hear of the Trek.
Well, mainly I am just an old man, anxious about of those he loves, but I am also excited to hear of the trip.
Be safe, each of you, and have a great time.