Meet the Group

8:15 AM: Arrive Kathmandu.

After disembarking the airplane, I boarded a bus waiting on the tarmac to the terminal, where I filled out a customs form, went through immigration check point, ran my carry-on baggage through an x-ray conveyor, claimed my checked baggage and proceeded through security to exit the airport.

As soon as I stepped out of the airport, I was met by a barrage of taxi barkers right and left.  Good thing I wore my Trekker tee shirt.  I pointed to the shirt logo when I told one barker that I was looking for Trekker.

He saw the logo and said, “Trekker? Come with me.”

Trust, Judy.  I followed him.  He pointed to a guy standing outside behind a gate holding a sign with my name.

Trekker’s rep, Kirin greeted me with a smile.  He took my checked baggage as we walked to the parking lot.  Our driver met me with a marigold necklace, which he handed to Kirin to place over my head.

The driver skillfully and quickly navigated the chaotic traffic of cars, trucks, motorcycles and people.  There seemed to be six cars in three lanes mingling together and swerving gently to clear the obstacles by inches.

Upon arrival at the Shangri-la Hotel, I was given a small earthenware cup containing cold lychee juice.  While I was waiting for Trekker owners, Annie and Ted, Kirin showed me a map of the area, circling the hotel and the Thamel shopping area, which was walking distance from the hotel.

Annie and Ted descended the stairs.  After handshakes and talk of mutual friends, Annie and I spoke in the hotel’s lounge about the agenda for tonight and the next few days, as well as some shopping tips and where I can buy a local SIM card for my phone.

After settling into my room and having the room safe squared away (they had to replace it with one from another room) – despite full intentions to explore Kathmandu before dinner — I fell asleep on the bed while journaling.

I awoke in time to ready for dinner.  In the hotel’s lobby, where we were to gather before eating, I met Noni (Vancouver); Sharon and her husband, Tim (Toronto).

After all the trekkers had gathered, we boarded a bus to the Thamel House Restaurant.  At the restaurant, I sat next to Lily (Toronto) and Annie.  Annie handed out black wristbands with “Trekker Everest Base Camp” imprinted around them.  She also sent around her notebook, asking everyone to write their name and the email address of someone back home who we’d like to receive emails and photos showing our progress on the trek.  I wrote the first entry, but all who followed wrote down their own address, because the next person misunderstood and passed along the instruction to write down their own email address.

The meal was traditional Nepalese.  The entertainment included traditional Nepalese dancing on a small dance floor.  Upon leaving, we were each given a small clay mask as a souvenir from the restaurant.

Afterward, we went back on the bus to the Shangri-la Hotel to rest up for tomorrow’s city tour.