And They're Off! Pt. 2

PART 2 (June 19th, 2023)

After the long flight we had about an hour layover in Singapore. We found our connecting flight to Kathmandu pretty quick. Some of us tried to stretch our legs, and/or stressed about changing into business casual attire in preparation for landing in-country (as we were somewhat strictly instructed to do); or, in my case, stressed about downloading Microsoft Office on airport WiFi since I wasn't sure I would have the opportunity later. I was impressed with the airport vending machines that had hot noodle cups, though. Singapore is on to something.

 

On arrival at around 9pm in Kathmandu, exhausted and bleary-eyed, we stepped off the plane where we were cheerfully greeted by a cavalry of Peace Corps Nepal staff. We were escorted through customs and fell in line for a final security bag check. After this point I discovered that I did not have my laptop charger. We were at a point of no return so I alerted the staff and left my cosmic credit up to judgment by the travel-gods. (I got it back the next morning. I was very grateful. I guess it's someone's whole job to run errands like fetching a trainee's forgotten laptop cable bag from the airport.)

We were shuffled on to buses with all of our dozens of suitcases, duffels and trekking bags. After a short bus ride we arrived at the grounds of a suburban convention center. This is where we would spend the next week getting initiated.

 

 

Waiting for our buses to take us to our hostel.