Where to begin.
I knew before we even left that Callie had the physical attributes and mental fortitude to be able to do just great in what we were setting out to do. That said, Nepal is no joke. From a challenging travel itinerary just to get there, to just the basics of day to day functioning, all of which Callie handled with aplomb.
She was able to take things in, process and execute in a very savvy way. I couldn't be more proud.
She was able to take things in, process and execute in a very savvy way. I couldn't be more proud.
Did we ever argue? Yep, but the arguements were short lived and mostly because one or both of was tired and or jet lagged and they all ended with a hug and a laugh. This has been a great opportunity to be able to connect and bust through the early teen angst and just be with my daughter.
It was a lot of fun to see her really sprout and grow throughout the trip. Callie isn't a stranger to travel to far off places, yet Kathmandu is a bit of an assault to the uninitiated. From the crazy roads, dust, people, cows, monkeys, smells, honking and sounds one is immediately overwhelmed. The first morning we were there we took a stroll to get a few last minute odds and ends and after about an hour Callie was ready to go hide in the closet. It is THAT crazy. For the most part there are no sidewalks and streets are undefined which can lead to going shoulder to shoulder with mopeds, bikes, stray dogs, and trucks. Throw in a live electrical wire in a puddle and a fresh deposit from a sacred cow and now you're talking! The time change doesn't help the first few days but she did great. Throw in an airport closure because of a snow leopard on the runway and the recent memory of a devastating earthquake and a lot of people would run back rather than dive in.
It was a lot of fun to see her really sprout and grow throughout the trip. Callie isn't a stranger to travel to far off places, yet Kathmandu is a bit of an assault to the uninitiated. From the crazy roads, dust, people, cows, monkeys, smells, honking and sounds one is immediately overwhelmed. The first morning we were there we took a stroll to get a few last minute odds and ends and after about an hour Callie was ready to go hide in the closet. It is THAT crazy. For the most part there are no sidewalks and streets are undefined which can lead to going shoulder to shoulder with mopeds, bikes, stray dogs, and trucks. Throw in a live electrical wire in a puddle and a fresh deposit from a sacred cow and now you're talking! The time change doesn't help the first few days but she did great. Throw in an airport closure because of a snow leopard on the runway and the recent memory of a devastating earthquake and a lot of people would run back rather than dive in.
As the trip progressed she found her groove and by the end of the trip she was leading the charge and wanting to go on rickshaws and visit cool temples.
Eight days hiking in the Himalayas and she said she was tired exactly 1 time. Never complained, not a negative word about spiders, squat toilets, forgetting toilet paper, or early mornings. She just got up and got after it. I have no idea what life has in store for her but I know she will not be out worked by many and the sky is the limit.
I am blessed to have had this opportunity to spend this irreplaceable time with my daughter and will cherish the memories forever.
Interesting odds and ends from our trip.
- 10 - number of flights we took.
- 11 number of places we slept
- 3 hair raising jeep rides with steep 1,00+ft cliffs
- No one has change for a 1,000 rupee note (~$10 US)
- beer is cheaper than a coke
- No meat is advisable when in the mountains
- veggie noodle soup is where its at
- luggage pickup on domestic flights its full contact
- monkeys are aggressive
- cows sleeping in busy streets
- Power being cut at any given moment
- Momos - yum!
Thank you for sharing this journey with us.
