the book that started it all
Thus, after a four-hour journey
to KL, a free day in KL (coz I booked my flight wrong since KTM flights from KL
are only every other day) and another four hours from KL to Kathmandu. The guy
in the check-in counter was more than happy to check two giggling girls with
their huge oversized backpacks and the non-smiling guy even gave us “hot seats”.
The seats have more leg room and he saved
us MYR 115 each. But it turned out that being in the hot seat in this plane
means passengers, will pass in front of you countless times (despite the sign
disallowing it), passengers who were surprisingly allowed to mingle in the
plane while airborne. Oh well, you really can’t have everything. (Note: This
flight has also been a concern for me, since the merchant (airline) has not
charged my bank yet even if I booked two
months ago. Not that I am complaining of this “free” ticket, but what if on the
day of the flight, they would say my flight is not valid? So yes, this trip
started off on an anxious note for me.)
We arrived in Tribhuvan
International airport, that memorable Saturday afternoon of Mar 23. The first thing that struck me upon landing is
that Kathmandu is dusty and Nepal’s capital city is surrounded by really huge
mountains (and these are not yet part of the Himalayas). This is truly the most
mountainous place I have been in. As we got out of the plane, Nadine and I,
stared at the mountains with jaws agape, only to realize the shuttle bus was
just waiting for us to board. Silly French and Chinese girls (yes I was
mistaken to be Chinese thrice).
Tribhuvan airport terminal building
When we got to the red-bricked terminal
building, we saw that the line for visa-on-arrival is long. Nadine and I
decided to wait it out since the flight is on time and we have time to linger.
But when we saw a bigger throng of people arriving, we decided to line up.
After more than two hours (yes two hours!) in line, we got our visa for $25/pax.
Nadine’s friend, Tina, who is a German diplomat based in Kathmandu, went inside
immigration to keep us company while waiting.
The moment we were out of the
airport, I was on a daze. The first few minutes were pure assaults to my senses
that I could not even take pictures. I was mesmerized by the sights and sounds
of Kathmandu. So much for us, expecting it to be like Manila….. it was not even
close. Kathmandu is as different as Manila. As Tokyo is as different to Manila.
The first few minutes were memorable to me, that it has been so far the most
memorable first few minutes of a new place. The huge mountains, the incessant honking,
the crazy perpetual movement of people and vehicles, the red-brick buildings, the
dust-covered unpaved roads or lack thereof, did I mention the honking? They were
all too much for this Pinay, born and raised in Calle Marina, Ajuy but
subjected to 17 years of Manila chaos, to take in a few minutes. But I also think
it was love at first sight and first hearing. Forget Saigon or Manila. This is
the street scene of all street scenes. Chaos amidst chaos. (If this is
India-lite, I wonder how India is).
tame street scene (quiet day)
Toby, Tina’s hubby, drove us from Tribhuvan to their place in Dhumbarai with the expertise of someone who seem so used to Kathmandu traffic, that I am surprised the way he was able to drive around those human and vehicle hurdles along our way.
To be continued…..
