Having Fun In Kathmandu

May 14

After sunset, we went back to Thamel for dinner and some craic. It was more difficult navigating after dark. There still was a lot of traffic but not streetlights. It was a bit difficult/danger to navigate.

We were looking for the famous Rum Doodle Bar but couldn’t find it. Apparently, it relocated. We ended up at every Irish pub in Thamel, thanks to Gerry. Not much craic, though.

On the way back to the hotel, stopped in at the Irish Pub again. It was the most lively place all evening. A band was playing and the place was full of locals, mainly middle aged men. The few women were getting a lot of attention on the dance floor. Ate a few unidentifiable appetizers, but they were vegetarian and not too bad. Gerry didn’t eat any so I finished them off myself and washed at down with a bottle of Everest beer.

Back to the Shanker and in bed by 11:00 pm.

May 15

Woke up at 4:00 am and couldn’t get back to sleep. It was light at 5:00, so we got up and went for a run. Even at 5:30 am, the streets were still pretty busy. We ran down one of the main streets past the National Palace and some government buildings.

We came to a large park and a huge parade field. Around the field was a dirt path. There were hundreds and hundreds of people on the field walking, running, playing soccer or cricket. We decided to do a couple of laps with the locals. We were the only Westerners among a thousand Nepalis.

On the first lap, a couple of boys tried to take me out with a soccer ball. Gerry saw it coming but I didn’t. I stumbled and almost went down. Everyone got a good laugh. Fair play, I guess. We were on their territory.

At the far side of the field, hundreds of people were seated on blankets listening to a swami seated on a stage. It was their morning meditation. It was a really bizarre scene at 6:00 am.

We did four laps and then ran back to the hotel. Ran for a total of 45 minutes with Gerry complaining the whole way about his Achilles or ankle or something. But I’ve never had a run quite like it.

At 9:00, we were briefed by the race organizers about the trek and race. We got our shirts and hats and took the obligatory group photo. There’s about 25 in the group -- one Irishman (guess who), several Brits, a larger contingent of Germans, several Aussies, a French couple, a couple of Indians, including last year’s foreign winner of the race, one Pole, and just two Americans including myself. I’m going for the top American finisher and Gerry hopes to be the first Irishman.

At 10:30, we left for a tour of two religious sites in Kathmandu, a Hindu temple and a Buddist stupa. We ended up attending a funeral. I’ll fill in the details in my next post.