Sunday, November 5th
"After more than 14 hours of travel, I arrived in Nepal, country of birth of Buddha. As I got off the plane, I was greeted by a setting sun behind the mountains: the last heat of the day and the soft colors of the sunset already promise an unforgettable stay.
Eloise, the country director of Planète Enfants & Développement in Nepal, picked me up at the airport and took me to my hotel, located in the old Patan, a small town less than 3km from the capital.
On the way, she explains to me that she has been living in Nepal for more than 9 years, after a period in India for her studies, and has started her family there. Despite the difficulties of everyday life, such as pollution, the risk of earthquakes, or the access to water and electricity (water is supplied by tanks and the power cuts are quite frequent), she tells me that Kathmandu is a dynamic city, which reserves full of surprises.
We arrive in the narrow streets of the historical heart of Patan. The roads are narrow and the vehicles make their way with horns. In spite of the little light illuminating the lanes in the night, one can guess the beauty of the small traditional "newari" houses, with small doors and windows with carved wood stuck the ones to the others.
After dropping off my things, Eloise invites me to her house for dinner. The feast is accompanied by Eloise's incredible stories, and the account of the earthquakes she experienced in Kathmandu.
Eloise takes me back to the hotel by motorcycle. Not having hot water to shower, I fall asleep wrapped in my comforter ready to dream of this country of legends.
To be continued...
