When I was woken up at 6:30 by my cell phone, out of the windows was still dark. And the hotel room still didn't have electricity. In Nepal, shortage of power is almost everywhere. And during our two weeks' stay, even in its capital of Kathmandu, 10 hours' no power supply was daily routine. So some commercial estates, including hotels or store are installed with their own generators. The hotel we stayed, 2-star International guest house has enough power for the lamps in the hallways but not for each room.
The sky was dawning, and I'd packed the night before. Searching the stores of Thamel, I couldn't find any interesting souvenirs, again. Cashmere, Pashmere, Yak wool shawls? If you like and like to trust their quality. So after the dinner, on the routine pilgrimage to Thamel, 3 minutes' away from International, I stopped at a music store, to get some DVDs. Seven years in Tibet, Kundun, and Travelers magicians, first two about Tibet and the Dalai, the last one a story in Bhutan was recommended by the store owner. The cost was 400 rs, about 5.5 dollars.
Still doubtful about first two DVD, since they are prohibited in China for sensitive Tibet issues, I had to take off their covers and hide mixed with other four Indian CD I bought one more day before. So even checked at customs, I had at least 50% of winning.
7 am was the breakfast time. And the last time of this trip, I enjoyed its big size American Set, inclusive of two thick pieces of toast, two eggs, one bowl of porridge, one pot of tea or coffee, one glass of fruit juice.( The breakfast was included in the room rates, 13 dollars for a single with toilet attached, or 15 for double room.) During our stays, we liked the restaurant staff the best, kind and welcoming, always in great smiles. I said farewell to the waitress girls and wished them a happy new year before I left at 7:45.
It was not difficult to find a taxi and after several seconds I bargained the fare from 350 to 200 rs. The driver was a typical Nepalese, dark tanned wearing a traditional hat. His taxi friend opened the door for me and wished me a smooth journey. Very polite, isn't?! Pondering about possible details of my friends' cursive journey home, our taxi smoothed out of the small alley and began moving to the east.
8 am, the city of Kathmandu was awaking, its people beginning brushing teeth and walking to morning markets. Protected with thick scarves and shawls over their heads and shoulders, they always ignored the importance of lower parts of bodies. So pairs of slippers, with or without thin socks at all were common street scenes.
The day before, Jan 5, the third time I walked to Durbar square, I sneaked into very narrow alleys in its east near Indra Chowk, where local life was bustle alive, I began to regret for the first time in Nepal, while fighting my way through the crowd and stores with colors commodities, I was leaving so soon. I should have had more chats with its locals, even like the chat between me and a guide at the highest temple at Durbar two hours ago.
The taxi drove past the embassy area, where A. and I tried to apply for Indian visa, but had to give up in the end. What about Indian and when for it? Should be different from Nepal and Nepalese here?( Determined to go some time.) After the taxi drove further east, past palace and police base, I noticed the fog was growing thicker and thicker. A not too good sign but still I was endeavoring to comfort myself that, when the sun is out around 9:30, the fog should be over soon.
8:25, after we passed the checkpoint out of the airport, We made to the airport. The driver informed just about two weeks ago, in its airport there was some explosion too. 'It's good measure to protect our good persons and good business.' He wished me a good flight and a smooth journey.
'A smooth journey!'
The airport was simple and pretty small. After paying its airport tax 1695 rs (160 yuan or 24 dollars), I proceeded to Air China counter, where a lot of people, mostly Chinese faces, in their expensive climbers' set of jackets, excited about the returning-home flight.
Two counter for destination of Chengdu, the other two for Lhasa, the stopover city. I asked for a window seat, in the back row, on the right side. For a possible good view of Mt. Everest.
Then, immigration, customs, security check. Here male and female check carefully across you,( again when we boarded our plane, but hours later.) I paid 60rs for a cup of Nescafe instant coffee, and the young man kindly exchange a new 20 rs with me, when I explained to collect small notes for souvenirs.
The coffee was warm and sweet, but the waiting time next seemed long and bitter. In its small waiting room accommodating at most 200 hundred passenger, I began waiting for our boarding, but Air China place was nowhere yet, supposed to fly from Chengdu, then lhasa the same morning.
The sun was coming out and the fog thinning. I sat in the seat, listening to my Ipod and reading the book 'into thin air', a book about mountaineering Mt. Everest.
10:45, our supposed time to take off. But only then the monitor and announcement declared our time to be delayed till 12:30.
Then waiting, desperately calculating. Hopefully, I told myself, I could make the flight home to Hangzhou from Chengdu, taking off at 19:25. 12:30 takeoff, 1:30 pm ( or 3:45 pm Chinese time), one hour at most for immigration formalities at Lhasa airport, 4:45 takeoff again, 1:45-2 hours to Chengdu, and luggage collecting time, narrowing 6:45 pm. Just half an hour before the next flight! But can I be that accurate and lucky?!
But since I have nothing to do, why bother? During waiting, I saw many small planes, for its domestic flights taking off and landing, among loud engine noises. And flight to Hong Kong and India left...
Only when it was 12:33 pm our air china plane was given loud welcome and applause from the waiting room, from its desperate passengers. It was already 1:40 when we finished boarding and the plane was actually moving.
When inquired, the flight attendants assured, after the takeoff from Lhasa, the pilots would contact ground staff and try to help those, around 30 in number,most possible for connecting flights 8 pm to Beijing and Shanghai,and 7:25 to Hangzhou.
About 20 minutes after taking off, from the announcement, we were flying past Mt. Everest from left windows we could see. So hurriedly out of my window seat, right side, ducked my head and camera close to the windows.
Like big size caring of jade, the mountains and clouds composed an impressive view. Close and close, I gasped there, and pressed camera shutters again and again, and wondering, which peak on earth was Mt. Everest?
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