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Founder's Travel Journal: En Route to Nepal

May 24, 2008

The last time I wrote was August - 9 months ago.

I am sitting in the airport in Doha, Qatar. Once again I am a lone traveller. More so this time around as I am not voyaging with school or work for that matter. I am meeting my family in Europe but that is over a month from now. No, I had to arrange everything myself this time from Japanese Encephalitis vaccines to transportation arrangements. Somewhat of a daring feat, I am off to Nepal.

I have always thought of going to the region and have studied three or four years on the culture and religion. Back in January of this same year I finally decided to take a stab at going to experience the "Roof of the World".

After a week of research, I found an organization that provides volunteer travel opportunities for those who like to do things a little off the beaten path. For six weeks I will be oing work in schools, orphanageds, and rural community projects throught the Kathmandu Valley. There is one person - foreigner - who is already in Nepal doing volunteer work for this same organization, then you have me, and about two weeks from now a third person will be joining the group. However, because there are multiple projects to choose from, there is a higher chance we will not be working together - I'm at it alone.

Some 'lone acutraments in the napsack:
-Portable solar panel
-4 lb. laptop - maybe less weight
-Hand-held camcorder/still photo device
-Water purification drops
-Water sterilizer pen
-Headlamp
-Portable hard drive
-Mosquito netting
-Compass
-Nepali, Italian, and pocket-electronic translator of 30 languages
-Mysterious Island by Jules Verne
-Pescatore L'islanda
-Bicycle tools
-Syringes
-Biodegradeable pursepack toilet paper
-TOILET PAPER
-Facial wipes and TOILET PAPER

As is most expected, my departure from Chicago was internally nerve-racking. I lost my appetite a week before at the least but part of this was due to the odd and numerous immunizations I had to get. I don't want Typhoid, thank you. I think I was able to put some weight on because of the airplane food - still thin though. The altitude, head index, and nervousness in Nepal won't make things better, especially if I'm doing labor-intensive work. I'm looking forward to the yummy food - it's the diarrhea I'm dreading. TOILET PAPER.

There are mostly Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian travellers in Doah (pronounced "do-haa", not "do-huh"). The Middle Eastern women are so beautiful here with such clear skin and sparkling eyes. I can't seem to keep that clean or attentive to my outward appearances. At least I'm one above average and I look good naked.

The ticket agent in Washington D.C. told me my luggage might not arrive at the same time as I do in Kathmandu. No worries. My life is only in that bag. At least I brought clean underwear in my carry-on. I was pleasantly surprised: my checked luggage only weighed 39 pounds. I've even got room to spare in the military sack I put my trekking pack in. When I give out my teaching materials to the schools in Nepal I'll have more room. If I wasn't travelling to half of Europe after this I wouldn't need to bring all of my translation materials either; more room to spare. As I told my supervisor at work: "The first thing I've learned about travelling half the world in two months is not to travel half the world in two months."

Yet another story for the kids.

 

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