Nov. 2, 2014. In My Element.

I missed Halloween, but I am in my element.  Packing, unpacking, sorting, organizing, storing, repacking in a multitude of handy little travel bags.  Looking at maps.  Researching and trip planning.  Shopping.  

Getting ready for cold weather...might be down to 20F on the high passes - one is over 16,000 feet - on the way to Lhasa.

Always looking for a bargain, checking prices,  but willing to pay fairly for what I want or need.

Bought a vest today in Thamel that will be made of a Nepali fabric that I thought colorful.  Will pick it up upon my return from Lhasa.   Bought some nick nacks - a pair of trivets made of yak wool and another hat....maybe the fifth?

The drIve from Baktapuhr to Thamel - and vice versa -  has become nornal. I often do not put on a seat belt - because there is none.  It has become like a 10 mile ride to the grocery store in the US, only much more entertaining, exciting and exhilarating.

Paid for the trip to Lhasa then picked up the T shirts that I ordered last week....

A bit pretentious, but for only $5.00, why not?

Had a tour of Bkaktapour with Shree, a national champion in gymnastics and the man who makes things happen on the ground in Nepal for iTrekNepal. 

I sat at an adjoining table as Shree gave a briefing for the trek to Everst Base Camp, on the Nepali side of the Himayayas - a 12 -14 day trek - for an Iriish gent named Paul that has lived in Australia for 20 years.  He was 50.  This is the trek I am planning to take after the Lhasa trip so it was a good briefing for me about what to expect.

Nepal is great place, especially when the local iTrekNepal staff treats me like a brother in law. 

Shree, built much like me but shorter, also stocky and only 30,  often describes us as "Big brother, little brother."

All is good in Nepal. I am 1/3 of the way through my walkabout and constantly find myself saying "I am a traveler.  I am in my element."

I am about to become a tourist - in the first package tour of my walkabout - during the 8 day trip to Lhasa.  You cannot visit Tibet unless you are guided.  No solo travelers allowed.    

Might be time for the ipod and the Bose earbuds.......no telling who I will be traveling with in the van or sharing a room with.  But I will make new friends, no doubt.

With a little luck, I hopefully reserved the front passenger seat in the van of 9 tourists.  Better view, easier in and out, more legroom and not jammed on a bench seat with 3 other travelers.  And there will be a shoulder harness and possibly airbags.  

Might be time for a front seat  "Oh, Shit" ride - like the van ride from Luang Prabang to Phonsavahn last year.  

Kathmandu to Lhase is about 600 miles and China restricts the inet and especially blogs and any info about Tibet, so I will probably not be able to post daily blog updates until my return to Nepal on 11/11.

Probably the same inet blocks that I often experienced in Myanmar.  If I can post, I will. 

Please use my email account to contact me.  I always enjoy a hello.  

On Walkabout.  Bound for Tibet.

Namaste.