First Impressions

So here are some of my first impressions. Not in any particular order. Its the good, the bad, and the ugly. And there's a lot of both.

1. Its dirty here. Its the first thing you notice. Trash and dirt. And its hard to overcome, but I will.
2. On the flip-side, the people are very nice and extremely helpful. It took forever to buy a SIM card for my phone (which calls the states cheap!) but everyone was very helpful in pointing out where to get one. Even though 99% of them were wrong.
3. The mountains are amazing. The Rockies look like Indiana compared to these. At least when you can see them through the smog.
4. Riding on the back of a motorcycle is fun. Riding on the back of a motorcycle on the wrong side of the road, not so much fun. (It was a rare occurence, Mom, I promise)
5. Traffic is crazy. If there is space, one honks his horn and moves in. Who cares if its on the other side of the road?
6. Their culture does not understand privacy. No, really, they don't. 7 a.m. they walk in your room. No knock, don't care if you're sleeping. This will change, though. I gave them a lesson in my culture. American Culture 101.
7. Its not uncommon to see a man urinating on the side of the road.
8. There are a lot of Europeans here.
9. The food is good here. Sometimes scary, but good.
10. The chai here is very good. And it flows like water. And thankfully it is safer to drink than the water.
11. Did I mention the traffic is CRAZY?
12. The idea of a comfortable bed is lost on the people here. A four inch (if you're lucky) mattress on plywood is good livin' here.
13. We rented a hotel room for $3 a night. We stayed two nights. I slept in my clothes, didn't even use the blanket, froze so I put my coat over me and I didn't shower the whole time I was there. But it was only $3. This was in Nepalganj, a city in Mid-West Nepal. The food, on the other hand, was great. Amazing spring rolls! For three of us to eat (and it was a lot of food) it only cost around $5.
14. There are thousands of smells here. Mostly good, some not so good.
15. I shook the hand of a Sherpa!!!
16. I will buy a mask. For the pollution. Crazy, no?
17. I can buy PSP games (illegal, maybe, I don't know. Ok, I do know, but I doubt you can get them here legally anyways) for a little over a dollar each. Ha!
18. I miss my friends and family greatly.
१९. थिस इसं'टी नेपाली, बुत यू दोन'टी क्नोव थे डिफरेंस. एंड नेइठेर दो इ!
20. I would post some photos, but it takes forever here. I will later when I have more time.