Just like that driving around Kathmandu

‘First time Kathmandu?’ Yes it’s my first time. ‘Name, name name???’ My name is Amy what is your name? ‘My name Pashtumari(or something), mini taxi, vroem vroem, mini taxi’ Yes mini taxi, it’s a good taxi. ‘Yes yes yes mini taxi yes yes yes good taxi’ *silence* ‘Ini, Ini, Ini, Ini!!!!’ Yes my name is Amy hahaha. ‘Ini, Ini, Ini, Ini!!!!’ I’m very happy to be here, my first time in Nepal. ‘Ini happy Ini happy, first time Nepal yes yes, Ini happy!!!’

That is roughly my first conversation here in Nepal. The very enthusiastic cab driver gave me the best introduction and start of my Nepal adventure. He stopped after 5 minutes on the side of a road, what seemed to be a highway, to go for a pipi as he called it. My flight went smooth and at the airport I met two of my beautiful colleagues who arranged, as you read above, the best mini taxi in the world. And so, we drove to the guesthouse that will be my home these 3,5 months, Buddha Rooms.

My first impressions of Nepal? To start I’m sure that there are no (written) rules in the traffic here, unwritten the rules are to honk as often as possible, just cross the street by pointing your hand to the scooters and cars to make them (hopefully) stop, and to be as chaotic as possible without crashing. There are not many pavements, but everyone walks and drives everywhere, nonetheless it seems pretty safe… The streets and smells look familiar thinking back of my prior travels in Asia. There are big commercials painted on buildings, you literally breath in as much dust as oxygen and it smells like a combination of dirt, cars and spices. Every now and then a strong scent of perfume or flowers pops in. There are scooters parked everywhere and people are busy with their little shops and workplaces in really small rooms in static old buildings or the just placed their goods on the streets for sale. Everywhere is colour, the houses, the clothing, the people and not to forget the dusty paint used for religious drawings and blessings. Stray dogs are walking around but look well fed and nice.

Being amazed by the world is inevitable in Nepal. I enjoyed every view and impression driving to the guesthouse, and this is only the beginning. The beautiful mountains in the background almost make me forget the trash that is also found in the street and the many ruins and still broken buildings since the earthquake in 2015. Plus the big difference between rich and poor is visible in the streets too. But as you might know me… I tend to focus on the beautiful things. Ini is really happy her first time in Nepal.

In the guesthouse, my Dutch roomy and colleague Eline, prepared a welcome dinner and I met the owners off the guesthouse and friends. What an amazing place to stay! My room is super cosy, and everyone is so nice, plus Eline is a great cook. I felt at home straight away!

More stories to come, because I didn’t do nothing today! Let’s just say there was a church, snake, roads to cross and beautiful squares, you’ll read about that in my next blog! Tomorrow I will have my first day at the office, exciting!!!! If you enjoy reading my blogs (or not) please, feel free to comment, I’d love to hear from you! If you are interested in some short vlogs and films I make during the day, check out my Youtube channel (link at the bottom).

Namaste!