Day 1, 1200 noon, 1350 meters, Kathmandu Guest House, Ktm, Nepal

It’s nice and quiet here.  I landed at about 1000 am, took in the nice brick laid airport (fascinated at being in a new country within a 1.5 hour flight, notwithstanding the standard 2.5 – 3 hours check-in) and stepped out expectantly into the Nepalese sun. Was promptly mobbed by the usual taxi –wallahs. Ultimately a polite Gorkha, Kamal, took me to the Guest House. If Dalhousie or Nanital, as I remember it, were to have an airport it would be a lot like Kathmandu. Kamal says I look European because I am so big and even called me handsome. I have no such illusions but its always good to hear ;)

I met a Swiss man Michelle on the plane. We shared an excitement for the peaks appearing out of our window to the left from our aircraft window especially since Michelle was great to offer me the window seat that was booked under his name. I had completely forgotten to ask for my usual left window seat but Michelle was nice enough to help. He is going to the Gokoyo Ri peak and has been trekking in Nepal a lot. To one it seems like a chilled out European life – retired / given up a business, Mont Blanc circuits in the European summer, Nepal treks in the spring / autumn and a few summits in the middle. 

My room is sweet. I came in, pulled out the curtains, unlaced the boots and hit the bed. The cool bedsheets were a welcome change from Delhi. They reminded me of the hills and lulled me into a quick and much needed 20 min nap.

I am now down at the lobby indulging myself with a cappuccino. Fish curry is on its way. I am  meant to get done with lunch and be ready by 1300 for the first briefing and meeting with my intrepid group. It seems I am amongst the first ones from the group to arrive. I do not see many other people around. I am excited about meeting my new team. 

PS – the decision to carry the laptop or not seems to have been taken out of my hands. The charger does not seem to work. I am leaving the PC behind! 

2056 hours 

Unexpected turn of events post dinner with a few people from the new group. There is an Irish bar right opposite the Kathmandu Guest House where we are staying and the pub is blaring awesome music. Settled in for a few drinks – they have Bushmills! I have yet to find that whisky in India outside of my tasting in Belfast! Helen and Andrea who I went with are both teachers from England teaching at an international school inHK. There are 5+ teachers in this group but no-one seems to have heard of Teach for America / Teach for India / Teach First.  I wonder if and when we will get talking about teaching and children. 

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