March 19

Today we got around having Nutella toast with coffee (me) and hot chocolate (Jeff). We then repacked our stuff (leaving behind some of the older T-shirts (one was my “why so salty?” from Hutchinson, KS 😢). Anyway, we were ready by ten after getting in touch with the Airbnb owner. Jeff had prearranged an Uber car driver, but he never showed. So he cancelled and rebooked through Uber and within five minutes we were on our way. We are going to the Indira Gandhi International Airport. (BTY, She was and still has been the only female prime minister of India. She was not related to Mahatma Gandhi.) Anyway, we are leaving India and going to… NEPAL!

We arrived at the airport by 1130. We got our boarding passes, luggage checked, and through security by noon. 1215 we were in the Encalm Lounge and eating lunch. I had an Alfredo Pasta; a cucumber, olive and mild jalapeno pepper salad, a great roll, and little Petite-four desserts. Jeff had both the Alfredo Pasta and a Penne Pasta Salad – he said the pasta salad was better we both thought the Alfredo sauce was too salty. Anyway, it's is free food and these lounges are better places to relax. Jeff and I struck up a interesting conversation with an Indian man, who was born here but his family moved to Kenya when he was three. He did not know his native country until he came back for four years of university in Mumbai, in 1967. He said initially he did not like India, at all and almost left! But he changed, due to fellow classmates in the same position as he. He still lives in England, but enjoys frequently coming back. He is around twenty years older than me. After our conversation, I left feeling reassured that I was not necessarily in love with India.

We left the lounge and at the gate by 1310, boarded our plane by 1350. The plane backed up at 1415 – 15 minutes late. It was only a two hour flight. We did get a meal service, but it was not very good and we just picked at it. We had a good flight. the plane touched down at 1605. We were through security, had our bags, and in the taxi out of the airport by 1640! My first impression: There is less litter pollution, but still a lot of air pollution. We arrived at Osho Home Hotel by 1715. We checked-in and in room by 1725. We unloaded and did a small walkabout, exploring the near proximity, seeing some great looking restaurants to eat at.

We are in Kathmandu, Nepal for thirteen nights. Lots of time to explore and get the feel of Nepal. While getting ready for bed, we realized how quiet the town is.😀😃 Very little horn-honking!! Yeah!!