I wrote in my journal while in the airports and on the planes so that I could remember everything to share it. Here's what was going on!
Thursday 6/17/10
Today I watched the sunrise while talking to a Buddhist monk. And I'm not even in Nepal yet. We've survived the first two flights and now I'm sitting in what I like to call the holding tank. Of course it's not actually a tank, but an area where passengers who are transferring flights and thus do not have visas to enter India are sent to wait. The part I am in is a long glass room with surprisingly comfortable semi-reclining chairs. However, it totally feels like a fish tank as people pass by and stare in through the glass at me. Maybe it's because I look like I'm 12 with my braided pigtails and my teddy bear sharing my seat. I just couldn't bare to leave Thomas at home though! He wants to see Nepal too :)
It is SUCH a TEASE flying over and into countries and not being able to leave the airport. Especially when I have 16 hours to kill. Germany looked so beautiful from above, but I guess that trip will have to wait for another time. I almost wished I ate meat so that I could say I had a frankfurter in Frankfurt haha! The coolest thing though was that when we got to the gate for our flight, instead of stepping right onto the plane we got on a shuttle (that I was totally skeptical about at first but really I was just happy to be outside again) and it took us right up to the plane! We climbed up the steps to board! It was very cool. All I was thinking was - This must be what it feels like to be Posh Spice.
Gosh it's been two days and so much has happened that I can't even figure out how to organize it into an understandable account of events. So I apologize for how extremely long this is.
Ok. First. Three thumbs up for Air India. Best. Plane food. Ever. I got to eat tofu on a plane! How cool is that? Anyway....Huge plane, very nice people. Cristina got a nosebleed halfway through and then proceeded to spill water all over herself, so that was a minor setback, but other than that it went very smoothly. Oh except when her contact spontaneously popped out of her eye. And the man next to me told me that there are a lot of happy people in Nepal which of course put a smile on my face.
Our second flight was even better. It wasn't even half full so everyone spread out and either had an isle or window seat. I finally slept :)
And that flight brought us to our holding tank where we have made our three new friends. First there is AJ from Indiana who is going to Afghanistan for travel and to visit friends. Then there is Ester who if from Hungary and is also going to Kathmandu. She is currently unemployed at home and she decided to go abroad to teach. Lastly is Ani Kunga. She is a Buddhist monk from New York going to Kathmandu to study and teach in a college where they help visiting foreigners with their English and other languages. She is extremely interesting and has graciously shared so much that I did not know about Buddhism. She is a very peaceful and kind soul. I also met a girl from Germany and one from the Netherlands, although they were fortunate enough to not have a 16 hour layover and are now long gone.
So here I sit with my little group. Cristina and Ester are sleeping. AJ wanders periodically which is actually nice because he's quite a talker.....despite the fact that I'm clearly reading or watching a movie on my ipod. But he means well and is friendly. Ani is tapping away on her computer. I must say, I've thoroughly enjoyed the people watching from inside my glass aquarium, but I'm itching to get to Kathmandu!!!! For now I'll just sit and try to comprehend the fact that I am in Inida.
I'm enjoying having my stereotypes broken down. I like talking to people from all over. I love learnings things. I love seeing what's out there. I love seeing how much people are just like me. And how they're not. I LOVE that the punishing fourescent lights overheard just when off because it is now bright enough outside! I love that I'm here. I love that my family supports me. I love that I am not alone. I love being enlightened by a monk at 5 am. I love the universe and all it has to offer me. And all I have to offer it. I love that 28 kids are waking up in Nepal and I'm going to meet them all tomorrow.
well I think this has been about long enough. I'll share more about Ani soon and hopefully get my pictures up! I have to get a power converter in Surkhet first so I can charge this baby.
Have a wonderful day!!!
"Your only limit is your soul" - Ratatouille
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