Kathmandu Vibes

We finally arrived in Kathmandu after two days in transit. The first thing that hits you is the profusion of sounds, smells and dust. There's a chaotic vibrancy to the city that is appealing -- or perhaps it's the 10-hr jet lag catching up. 

Traffic is insane (see extra): even I, as a French person, had to think twice about crossing streets through the traffic flow. But somehow, there's an 'understanding' -- perhaps controlled chaos? :) People are wonderfully friendly, welcoming you to the tune of 'namaste!' with broad smiles. Today was just a brief incursion in the surrounding neighborhoods (featured blip) and then a dinner of traditional Nepalese, Bhutanese and Tibetan foods, hosted by our tour guide, Rabi, with the six people who will be our travel companions here. Rabi regaled us with stories of the many treks he's led across the landscape of the Himalayas. Good to know that in some 30 years, he's only lost one person ;) 

I'm off to try and catch up with some missing sleep!