Kate's Blog 2014: Treasure hunting...

...in Kathmandu....

Today the goal was to track down China Southern Airline to ensure our luggage would get on the next flight in. Started off with a few phone calls but with no luck so we decided to go to the office in town. With some help from the hotel front desk we had an "address" and started out taxi journey. This would be our first ride during a regular work day as Saturday is their day off. It was easily notacable with heavier traffic (meaning more of everything, as everyone shares the same road here, on all sorts of self propelled or motor type of equipment). The address given to us was the name of a district so when the cab eventually stopped we really had no idea where we was. Everyone is eager to help but unsuccessful in pointing out the spot, and eventually got some descriptions that both pointed to the same, and bingo, there it was. A little high five and smiles; we have really lowered our expectations to the definition of success. The win was a nice conversation and another phone number to call after 2pm :)

So next on our agenda was clean mocha and clean cloths. So far it seemed all we had seen and knew was Thamel, this district seemed much more like a city (minus the cows). We enjoyed a snack and a nice, modern cafe, had my first use of the "squatter", fairly successful I'd say. The shops in this area were modern and selection more fashionable so we decided to make our way to Thamel which seems to be more catered to the outdoors. We tracked down a cab after bothering a couple of civilians we mistakenly took as taxis. Jeff nicely negotiated the awesome rate of 200 (seemed great as most rides had been in the 800 range) and quickly, too quick, learned we where basically one block away.....

Pretty successful in finding some clean cloths, had a mother mocha with some sandwitch, forgot about the "stay away from lettuce etc" rule. Visited the bike shop so Jeff could get a helmet, which was left on the plane for others to enjoy during heavy turbulence. And made it back to hotel for 2pm race meeting with a close call of being dropped off by a taxi driver who was not too happy how far it was, Jeff's awesome negotiation skills that got us a 500 starting rate went up to 800.

Called the new phone number with no luck, called the airport were we started our journey and no other update other than luggage is expected to be on tonight fligh.

We got our race plate now :)

Happy riding!