Snakes alive!

Kathamdu from a rooftop
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Namaste.

Let me start this one off with a plain old 'HOLY SHIT!'

I hadn't really thought abount what this place would be like. But the drive from the airport the the World Expeditions office was a serious eye opener.

I'm talking about everything. For starters the place looks like it's been in a warzone for the last 100 years. Seriously.

Streets of Kathmandu
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Then there's the traffic... and the roads. The Nepalese Minister for Roads and Transport must be under some serious pressure.

After checking in with the Trek team I hired a driver to take me to a small hotel I had made a booking with via the net in Thamel. After about an hour doing circles looking for the place, we decided we couldn't find it.

I currently staying at the hotel Karma. I have the penthouse (level 7) suite. Have an excellent observation point to watch the hustle and bustle below. All for the princely sum on 300 Rupees per night ($6).

Streets of Kathmandu
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So I checked in and went for a walk.

Sat with a dude for around an hour while he played his pet king cobra a song (10 rupees - 20cents.) I didn't ask if he had a name for the his pet but I'm guessing it wasn't Fluffy. The thing was around 3 metres long and as thick as my leg. And what stupid things you do when on holidays....... it was hanging around my neck. Didn't have my camera but I'll try to track him down again. No flash photography please!

Thamel is a very strange place (in a good way.) There are quite a few euro's getting around. My god they can whinge. Some girl blew up in the market across the street because someone tried to rip her off by charging her 30 cents for a packet of Marlborough. Oh the humanity.

Where was I..... oh yeah. Thamel. Narrow streets winding every which way. People everywhere. All different kinds of things being sold. Every third person that speaks to me is offering me hash or opium...... pass. This sort of thing is not illegal here and is openly offered on the street. Although a shop may not sell this. Apparently back in the 60's there was a huge population of hippies who pretty much smoked hashish all day long and stared at the mountains seeking enlightenment. There are still remanants of this around. In fact appart from the adventure traveler, most foreigners are of  'alternative' appearance. I'm feeling a little left out without dreadlocks.

Met a local fella today who showed me around (for a price of course.) It was well worth it.

Managed to purchase the remainder of my gear for the mountain also. Gloves, gaiters and a downer jumper.All I need now is a substantial supply of chocolate and I'm set.