Had A Small SNAFU

SNAFU #1, just 2 weeks prior to departure.  Was talking with my friend Andy re: meeting and celebrating our October birthdays in Kathmandu - after I leave India - and he mentioned that an entry VISA for India might take a while.  

Went online and surprisingly found out that US citizens cannot get an on arrival VISA at the Delhi airport - or anywhere else for that matter.  If you are from Burma, Viet Nam, Lao, and about a dozen other countries, it is available on entry.  But Great Britain and US are not on the "on entry" list.  As if British or Americans are a high risk entry group of people.  I can understand Pakistani or Bangladeshi citizens being closely screened, but not a US citizen.  Go figure.  Most Americans I have talked with were glad to escape the squallor, poverty and beggars and return to the US anyway.

Spent better part of two hours exploring every available option - fly to San Fran and go to the Indian Consulate, use a rapid VISA online service, etc.  every effort ended with "not enough time" answers.  I just cannot get it done in time.  Sooooo......the flight currently booked from Ankara to Delhi needed to be changed.  Had more problems finding availability of a points flight on Turkish Air through United.  It appears to me.....and to the United agent I talked to for 35 minutes.....that as of 10/13, flights are not offered for points.  Took what was available and depart Ankara 10/13 for Kathmandu.  Will only cost about $35.00 to change the ticket and I will spend a few more days on the Black Sea coast.

If India still draws me, I will persue a visit and a VISA from Nepal before I go to Thailand.

Travel is all about change of plans.  If you are not flexible and roll with the changes and go with the flow, you will go nuts.

Listening to a little music before I leave........

"Katmandu" By Bob Seger

I think I'm goin' to Katmandu,
That's really really where I'm going to
If I ever get out of here
That's what I'm gonna do

Kkkkkk, Katmandu
I think it's really where I'm going to
If I ever get out of here
I'm goin to Katmandu

I got no kick against the west coast,
Warner Brothers are such good hosts
I raise my whiskey glass, and give 'em a toast,
I'm sure they know it's true

I got no rap against the southern states
Every time I've been there it's been great
But now I'm leavin' and I can't be late
And to myself be true

That's where I'm goin to Katmandu
Up to the mountains where I'm going to
If I ever get out of here
That's what I'm gonna do

I got no quarrel with the midwest
The folks out there have given me their best
I lived there all my life I've been their guest
I sure have loved it too

I'm tired of lookin' at the tv news
I'm tired of drivin' hard and payin' dues
I figure baby I've got nothing to lose
I'm tired of being blue

That's why I'm goin to Katmandu
Up to the mountains where I'm going to
If I ever get out of here
That's what I'm gonna do

Kkkkkk, Katmandu
Take me baby cause I'm goin' with you
If I ever get out of here
I'm goin to Katmandu

I ain't got nothin' against the east coast
You want some people well they got the most
And New York City's like a friendly ghost
You seem to pass right through

I know I'm gonna miss the USA
I guess I'll miss it every single day
But no one loves me here anyway
I know my plane is due

The one that's goin to Katmandu
Up to the mountains where I'm going to
If I ever get out of here
That's what I'm gonna do

Kkkkkk, Katmandu
Really really really I'm going to
If I ever get out of here
If I ever get out of here
If I ever get out of here
I'm goin to Katmandu

Ooh ooh ooh, ooh yeah

Katmandu
Katmandu
Katmandu
Katmandu
Katmandu
Katmandu

Well, followers, my next walkabout departure approaches. 

Will head eastward around the globe this time.  I have always wanted to say that I made it completely around the world, and this trip will get that item off the bucket list.  

Depart PDX to Washington DC, then across the lake to Munich.  Have a short layover then off to Ankara, in central Turkey. 

Will spend 13 days in Turkey, with a current destination - via train - of Samsun, on the Black Sea coast.

After about 13 days in Turkey, will be heading over to Nepal.