Nepal: "Now arriving, at only gate..."

I don't herd well.  Whether the "I" is the subject or the object.  But as team leader, I have to do some herding.  So be it.

 

(Have decided that a good interview question would be to put a diagram of animals in a herd and ask the interviewee to circle which one they'd be, and why.  I think I'd circle the one slightly aside of the herd, towards the back---still part of the herd, but at a distance, able to observe the herd and what might lie ahead for it.)

 

Herding began with the first team meeting.  Two people show up late ("so sorry"), another sleeps past his alarm.  But otherwise, a good start.

 

Continues at dinner.  Told everyone we're leaving at 6:30.  6:40 comes, two people missing. One comes down, says "she'll be down in a couple of minutes. "  I said fine, you can catch up.  Off we walk.  Quite quickly, they come running to catch up.  Another lesson natural consequences---even adults need to be reminded of that sometimes.

 

Farewell-to-Kathmandu dinner at one of those food/culture show places, where both the food and the culture show are mediocre--because you're there for the food, you excuse the culture show, if you're there for the show, you excuse the food, if you're there for the combination experience, you're happy.  Sitting on pads on the floor, at low tables.  These legs don't allow sitting cross legged without the knees extending well above the table.  Ah well, what Anne and I refer to as another Grinnell social experience.

 

Orientation session from Habitat Nepal personnel.  Affiliate is about 10 years old.   First half of that time, the standard model: single family home ownership.  About 1,000 families served.  Then, they partnered with another housing NGO and extended to save-and-build groups and microfinancing.  4,000 families served.  I like their move.

 

Off to tour of Patan City, another of the cities once separate, now joined together.  Turns out it was a king who had three sons, gave each of them a city.  They fought (there's an unusual event!) and eventually, cities rejoined.  Interesting tour, lunch at a delightful restaurant above the square, then off to the airport.

 
I think of a Yeti as the abominable snowman.  We flew Yeti Airlines from Kathmandu to Pokhara.  
"10 Years Serving the Nation."  Our plane (propeller-driven) seats around 30.  Manufactured in 1995. Climb in, flight attendant distributes cotton balls and hard candy (plane isn't pressurized.)  Off we go, up into the clouds and haze, land 25 minutes later at Pokhara.  Off the plane, claim the bag, go through the single door/gate, and we're here.

 

"Airport security" involves going through a monitor.  No need to remove your computer, no need to empty your pockets, certainly no need to take of your shoes or coats.  Men in one line, women in another. Very quick.

 

On to the hotel, which is a little away from the lake, but still quite pleasant.  Chill a bit, then walk to dinner at the Monsoon Bar and Grille.  (Note to self: stay away from cities that have restaurants named "Monsoon.")  Upstairs, overlooking the lake, continental menu, B.B. King/Eric Clapton CD playing (one of my absolute favorites.)  This Nepal?  Well, I did know Pokhara is a bit touristy.  But dinner and ambience were great, even if I was hard-pressed to be sure I was in Nepal.

 

Work begins tomorrow.  Meanwhile, enjoying the A/C while the electricity is on.  Unexpected benefit, and will give my body a chance to cool down at night.