Farewell to Nepal; Welcome to India

7:45 AM:  Phone alarm rings.  No more Sherpas knocking on my door with Sherpa tea and hot wash water…  Lily called to say she’s going down for breakfast.

8:15 – 9:00 AM:  Breakfast with Lily, Sharon and Tim:  tea, strawberry yogurt with granola, a Denver omelet (ham, cheese and diced green peppers) from the omelet bar, and Lyonnais potatoes.  Goodbye hugs to them.  Their departure for the airport is 10 AM.  So sad to see them go, but I know we’ll stay in touch.

Back to room intending to sleep, but read some news from the local newspaper that was dropped off by the hotel.  What’s happening in the world?  Any news of unrest, strikes or flight delays?  Nothing.  No news is good news – right?

10:00 – 11:30 AM:  Why waste my day in my room?  I sunned by the pool journaling.  Back to my room to shower off the sweat.

While settling up my hotel tab of 59 USD, I tried to use a gift debit Visa card, but it wouldn’t go through, so I had to use 60 USD and received 70 NPR change (includes 250 NPR for the Internet).

12:15 – 12:45 PM:  I used the hotel Internet to check my Gmail.  Marie wrote on May 25 that they’d gotten my emails, but not Trekker’s.  Doug wrote on May 26 with Mark R’s response and good wishes attached.  I replied to Marie and Doug.  Then my half hour was used.

12:50 PM:  My baggage from my room was brought down and loaded on Trekker’s bus to Kathmandu airport.  Songmee and Glen also had a flight out at about the same time.

At the airport, Kirin helped us unload our baggage and stayed with us up to the security checkpoint.  Kirin couldn’t go further from the security checkpoint, but gave us another blessed scarf for farewell luck.

We had to run all baggage through security x-ray machines and then proceed to check in our luggage and obtain our boarding pass to Delhi.  The porter taking my one checked bag winked at me when he weighed my bag.  I assumed he meant that my bags were within the weight limits, as no number registered on the digital scale.  After sending my bag down the conveyor belt, the porter came over to me asking for a tip.  I only had 2NPR in my pocket, which I gave him.  He was not too happy, but took it and walked back to his position.

We proceeded to immigration.  I forgot to fill out a slip, so I had to get out of line, fill out the form and get back in line with Songmee, Randy and Derek.  Glen didn’t wait.  He was already at the immigration counter.

During my turn, the immigration clerk read my passport aloud:  Judy Wong…USA?

Judy:   Yes

Clerk:  Where are you from?

Judy:   California, United States

Clerk:  Where are your parents from?

Judy:   China

Clerk:  You could pass for Nepalese.

Judy:   Teets-za.

His buddy asked: You speak Nepalese?

Judy:   Only a few words I learned from my Sherpa:  Panni, teets-za, teets-china…”

Buddy:  “Baba” is “brother” and “siso” is “sister”.

My passport stamped, I smiled and said goodbye to the two as I proceeded to the departure gates.

After obtaining my departure sticker, I saw Songmee and Glen bee-lining to the Executive Restaurant and Lounge.  I wandered the shops briefly and then went through the ladies’ security line.

The security woman checked through everything, opening all packages, which I had so carefully packed to avoid breakage – especially the dolls.

2:15 PM:  I proceeded to the common gate’s waiting area.  With a little time to rest, I sat down to eat the other half of my energy bar.

3:20 PM:  I lined up with the other passengers for a short bus ride on the tarmac to the departing plane.  An additional security bag inspection of all contents was conducted before boarding the plane.  While the plane was taxiing, a small bottled lime water was distributed to each passenger.

4:00 PM:  Take off.  Airborne for the next 1.5 hours to Delhi.

4:30 PM:  Meal service:  Small bottle of spring water, papaya slices, vegetable/tofu curry wrap and two spice potato patties.

5:35 PM:  Arrive in Delhi.

Immigration line:  I was busy talking to my new Minnesota friends when I was summoned to go to the official/diplomat desk.

Judy:  It’s okay, even though I’m not a diplomat?

Clerk:  Today you are a diplomat.

Judy:  Well, I’m a very happy diplomatic tourist.

Clerk:  (laughed)

Judy:  Do I get a special stamp?

Clerk:  (Laugh)  You get a stamp.

Judy:  Dhanyawad, Teets-za!

On to the baggage claim area:  I breezed past customs by just handing the very bored customs clerk sitting at the “Nothing to Declare” desk strewn with a pile of customs stubs.

As I rolled past the guides with signs on my right, I was looking lost when an officer asked if I needed help.

I replied:  I’m looking for my guide from Trinetra.

Officer:  Check the signs again.

Sure enough, I was supposed to look on my left for a guide with a yellow sign.  To my relief, I found Rahul, who escorted me to the car driven by Pal.  Delhi was very hot.  I welcomed entering into the air conditioned van.

We arrived at the Comfort Inn where Rahul explained to me the documents in the Trinetra messenger bag’s folder of vouchers, train tickets and other documentation.  I handed 21,400 INR per agreement.  After a cold cola, Room 105 key was handed to me.  The clerk asked me for payment or a credit card.  Usually when I use Priceline, the payment is made at booking.  Comfort Inn said the reservation was only guaranteed, but not charged, so I handed him my Visa card.  That squared away, I asked for a 4:00 AM wake up call because Rahul will pick me up for the 6:15 AM train at 5:15 AM.  Rahul then escorted me to my room, wanting to make sure it was satisfactory.  Rahul was impressed with the room.

After Rahul left, I was surprised to see the bellhop still lingering, awkwardly showing me the refrigerator and complimentary water.  I pulled out a 1 USD for him (= 40.40 INR).

After he left, I worked on a new cheat sheet based upon the currency exchange rates and calculated my spending money.

The room was really cold, so I dialed the fan down from 3 to 1 and the temperature from zero to 18C (approx. 68F).  I read the Trinetra documents before bathing off the sweat from the dusty, humid day of travel.

While I removed my contacts, I discovered a tear in the left contact.  Good thing I bring spares.

While plugging in my phone to the charger, I noticed it was 10:00 AM at home (9:30 PM local) and thought about my kids, sending them lots of love.

I updated my journal until 10:35 PM while tucked in bed.  G’Nite.

[India experience can be found in the India tab of this blog.]