Back in Kathmandu

I took the 7:30AM tourist bus from Pokhara to Kathmandu on the morning of 11/9.  I arrived back in Kathmandu around 3:00PM and headed for my guest house.  Heather wasn't going to be back from Bhaktapur until the next day, but she had reserved a room for us before she left.  It was nice having a place to go to.  I spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing and reading.  I had purchased the Time and Newsweek magazine about the election and sat in an outdoor cafe for several hours reading, having dinner, and drinking tea.

Heather returned to Kathmandu around 1:00PM on the 10th, and I met her at our guest house.  It was so good to see her again and hear about all the things she had been doing while I was trekking.  She had spent time in Pokhara rafting and paragliding, Lumbini visiting monasteries, Chitwan riding elephants, and Bhaktapur exploring the historic kingdom. 

On our last full day in Kathmandu, we spent the morning making arrangements for our day in India and contacting members of the family that our friend Melissa had lived with while she was in Nepal for Peace Corp.  We were able to meet up with Bindu and her husband for lunch and we all went to Bodhnath together.  We spent the afternoon walking around and admiring the giant stupa.

Bodhnath

Buddha Eyes

Prayer flags at Bodhnath

The top of a bell at the Bodhnath stupa site.

Our flight was scheduled to depart Kathmandu a little before 3PM on 11/12, so we had time to do some last minute shopping before heading to the airport that morning.  We also swung by the International Mountain Explorers Connection to drop off my t-shirts and sneakers for their porters' clothing bank.

Bindu and her youngest son met us at the airport with gifts to take back for Melissa and her family.  She also gave Heather and I a wonderful Hindu farewell, complete with tikas and marigolds.

Heather, Bindu, and I at the airport in Kathmandu.