Hyderabad/Kathmandu Day 22

Listening to: Devil Got My Woman by Skip James

This morning we gave ourselves an hour and a half at the airport, which we were told was more than enough time. It wasn't busy at all... And that made us happy because it was 4 30am and we didn't want to deal with India's organizational issues.
Just when we thought that for once, things ran smoothly and efficiently and on time, we take 45 minutes to get through the works smallest security line. You see, in India, men and women have different security lines. There were about 15 lines for men, and two for women.

I understand their need for two lines. A lot of Indian women wear complicated saris with metallic embroidery, and with the high Muslim population, many women prefer to be scanned in private.

Here is my issue: the metal detectors aren't even being used, as in they are functional, but they chose not to use them. So literally every single woman has to go into a little room and be manually metal detected and body searched. For someone like me who is wearing virtually zero metal, and spandex pants, the whole situation is extremely frustrating. If I don't beep in the metal detector, and you can physically see the outline of my body, why should I have to wait an hour in line while you slowwwwwly scan everyone else??

This process wasn't new to us... We have had to go through it at every terminal. But usually they have a sufficient number of women working to handle the line. The men's side had no men waiting and they still wouldn't let those of us who don't care about who waves a wand around us go through there side.

Then slowly but surely panic struck because everyone starting to realize that their gates close in 5 minutes, 20 minutes, etc. so then everyone is panicking and racing to the front with zero regard for those around them. We watched as people pushed and shoved and stomped all over the trains of one another saris. So ridiculous. The lack of consideration for one another in this country really disturbs me. People have a fight of flight mentality everywhere. I'm hoping Nepal will be different.
Anyways, we made it to our gate for closing time and slept all the way to Delhi.

I'm now at the airport in Delhi waiting for our flight to Kathmandu. Already have spotted a bunch of grungy kids with backpacks and matted hair walking around either solo or in pairs. I've found my people! I'm so ready to live a little.

..... (Many hours later).....

First impressions of Kathmandu:

First of all, we were given a FREE BEER on or flight... So we took this as a sign that Nepal was going to be awesomeeeee

We walk out of the airport and a young guy round our age pulls up from out guesthouse in a suped up 1980 something Honda. We drove through the streets of Kathmandu listening to Akon 2008 with his sub and bass turned up to max. Pretty badass, people were looking.

Our guesthouse is super simple and clean and friendly. There's a young blonde dreadlocked couple across from our room who gave me a nice big hello. There's also been a lot of Trekkers around! I finally fit in with my spandex and runners and fleece. I think this is he only time Ill ever think stereotypical west coast style is fashion forward.

We walked out from out hotel after we dumped our bags, and decided to spend the evening strolling the streets. We did a little shopping- we are now pros at haggling.
I bought a hemp shirt designed and made by a local girl here. Her shop was so authentic and awesome compared to he other typical tourist shops that sell the same stuff over and over... And her designs are amazing! I didn't mind spending a bit more money to support her, so I bought an organic hemp tee with Harry Krishna riding a motorcycle on the front. I laughed so hard when I saw it... She nailed the clashing of culture that we've been so confused by for the last 3 weeks.
I might have to go back and get another one... Her stuff was great! And I shipped a lot of my clothes back to Canada already.

Tomorrow I think we will go see some sights and walk around some more. So far so good, Nepal!

Off to find somewhere for dinner.

Ps. Ajda was a little sleep deprived and crazy today. She took some of her aggression out on her pen while writing postcards.
OH, and that creepy person with the masked face? Also Ajda, KO'd on the plane

PPS. We have progressed from a lesbian couple to a gay couple. We have both been called sir today... Maybe I need to start wearing mascara...


**update***

Got ripped off at some tourist restaurant tonight. They had a love show, and Everest beer which was cool! We tried to go to a local bar where all the Trekkers go called Rum Doodle but it was closed when we got there. There is no power here at night so we got freaked out in the dark streets and settled on a cheap bottle of red and our 1980s TV set (our guesthouse has a generator and we splurged 2 extra dollars for a deluxe room!). It doesnt work by the way. Goodnight!