Coming back from the Himalaya, I was exhausted and it took time to get back to the swing of things. I had picked up a bad cough from the dust that was everywhere as we drove back to Kathmandu. It came in through the bus window and laid a coat over everything, including my lungs. It slowed me down, which was maybe a good thing because it gave me time to take in and appreciate the many precious moments and relationships that I had made on the trip.
It was Tihar (Diwali) festival when I came back to Kathmandu. Lights were hung everywhere and the hustle and bustle on the streets were noticeable. Musicians came to our hotel to play traditional music which I danced to along with other festival happy Nepalese. I sat in the garden of the hotel and worked on the pictures from Manaslu. As well, I had random conversations with different tourists who had come back from their respective treks and were full of their own reflections. The conversations naturally went over to the meaning of life and what their families meant to them. I enjoyed listening to these musings.
My friend Bishal from the trek took me for a street photo shoot around places that I would never have discovered on my own. This was right outside my from my hotel! Kathmandu certainly had it’s nooks and crannies and after we were finished, it was nice to sit in the Garden of Dreams and watch the sunset as we gazed at the candles and colors of the decorations from the week of seremoni.
On the day of my departure the following happened. One of the hotel staff came down and had organized Indian rupees for me to take to Dehli so that I wouldn’t get haggled by the Money Transfer people. Then my friend Sanjit made me a delightful Cappuccino. I was then presented with two prayer scarfs from both the hotel staff and Mr Hom from Nepal Peak Adventures with whom I had organized my trek through. They all stood outside the entrance of the hotel and gave me one last Namaste.
Tears streamed down my face. It was typical for how I was received by these soft and loving people.
Thank you Nepal!
