hi all,
i'm in an internet cafe in kathmandu. the shift keys stick a bit, hence the lack of caps and some punctuation : ) actually, all the keys stick but the right shift barely works. this must be why it's 40 rupees per hour instead of per minute? for some reason, i still don't have cell service. i'm going to try to get this cleared up today.
we got up at 5:00 am this morning from our deluxe lodge right next to the lukla airstrip. i might sound sarcastic, but really, this place was nirvana. a private bathroom with a free hot shower and flush toilet, and a bed! lovely! i washed my hair 3 times.
this morning, we walked about 5 minutes to the "airport" and harka (our guide who has kept us alive and happy these past 3+ weeks) worked on getting us on an early yeti air flight. yep, yeti airlines. nope, the pilot wasn't a yeti. 6:15 at the lukla airport reminds me of the floor of the stock exchange. pure chaos (but strangely, no farm animals inside the building). the flights for each airline are first-come, first-served. everyone with a reservation for a given day will get on a flight but there are several flights in the day. you are not guaranteed a certain flight. harka managed to get us on an early flight. our flight number was "3" (funny).
the takeoff is even more sketchy in person. the single runway starts at the top of a hill pitched at maybe 30 degrees...i guess it's the only way the pilot can gain enough speed for takeoff : ) flights here are nothing like the US, and not just for the obvious reasons. you don't need to show ID (harka takes care of everything). you don't need to put liquids in a bag. no one checks to see if your seatbelt is fastened (like it matters), no one gives any sort of safety talk (again, like it matters). your carryon bag doesn't go into the overhead compartment (what overhead compartment) or under the seat in front of you...it goes between your knees. it's all about turnaround time. a plane lands, they spend about 3 minutes unloading bags and passengers, another 3 loading, and you're on the runway before you stuffed the cotton in your ears (passed out in a basket by the flight attendent wearing full sherpa attire).
tomorrow, when i have more energy, i'll try to post some photos of the entire trip and maybe some video too.
namaste
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5 comments:
Glad to hear the flight went well and that you enjoyed some luxury on your way to even MORE luxury at the Radisson! Can't wait for some photos. ttyl
So happy that you enjoyed your Everest experience and I, like Shannon, can't wait for some photos. Thanks to Shannon I saw the one on your friend's Blog. Keep writing more, you're a great writer! Love, Mom
We always say that any landing you can walk away from is a good landing...it sounds like any takeoff you can walk away from is good too!
ps - kayaking in sacramento (South Fork American) and one of the women had seen your Youtube video
Some time in the next couple of weeks, I'll try to get to the Yeti Air home office to pick up some logo stuff...maybe a mug or a t-shirt...for Eve and Neal. We'll see what I can find. If anything, you can have the Yeti Air candies that we got when we boarded : )
Private bath and hot water - you are living high. I'm glad your flights involving Lukla are done.
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