October 21,
The handwover tablecloths line the table as the others go to get some breakfast. My mind has grown somewhat disoriented. I look down at my flood-ridden pants and try to take in what happened.
Last night was our first night in Nepal. After 20 hours of flying, I was sensing Nepal like one dreams under the influence of hallucenogens. While taking in some traditional Nepalese food at a local restaurant, we hear some rain, followed by louder rain, followed by resounding thunder. The manager looks disparagingly confused that a monsoon would hit so late into the year after the proverbial dry season has started.
We took slight note of the events, paid our bill, and went on our way back to the Guesthouse. As we turned the corner, continued walking just a little bit more, and then all of us began to look in disbelief. There was three feet of water trapped on each street any any direction we looked. Rick looks at us, thinks for a second, and says to roll up the pants. We wade through the streets block by block andI imagine how the Katrina victims must have felt. I felt like that we fell victim to the ten plagues. Rick takes no delay in photographing our wading as looks of fright encompass Traveling Lisa's face. Motorcycles and rickshaws line attempt to plow through the murky water as they were ships. We reach back to our guest house stinky, tired and dark. The flickering lights finally took a break for the night, as all the power was out in Nepal. We are staying in the Kathmandu Peace Guest House. Peace at last, at least until tomorrow.
Friday, October 20, 2006
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Asia
Hello to all,
Welcome to another installment of Travelling Sherman. If you have ever read any of these, I'm sure this installment will not disappoint you.
So for those who may not know me that well, let me explain myself:
My name is Eric, Eric Sherman. I have gone by many nicknames throughout my life, some I should not state at this time. The nickname I have chosen this time is Travelling Sherman. Sherman being my last name, and travelling..for this is my job for the next 4 months.
I am joined by my girlfriend, Lisa Lin. Her nickname from now on will be Travelling Lisa, for the same reason as described above.
We both live in the City of San Francisco, in the State of California, in the United States of America. Here is a picture of where San Francisco is for those of you who may have been sleeping under a rock for the majority of your life:
We will be joined by the following people on the first leg of our Journey.
Rick - our fearless leader. His bushy blond hair reminds me of Owen Wilson if Owen Wilson was intelligent. He is the one that has made all the arrangements, as he is the well-seasoned traveler. Simply put, if there has been a question I had so far about anything on this trip, Rick is the undeniable source.
Bobby - Travelling Lisa's Brother. He is just going to have to get over his metrosexual tendencies and get used to 3 weeks of camping. I am glad he is coming. He is apart of the family. I know he can do it.
Jose - When you meet him, you simply have the desire to cancel your cable tv service. At about 50 years old, he is a fountain of youth. He has traveled to more countries in the world than George Bush can spell. Just take it easy on the baby wipes at 13000 feet and all should be just fine.
Vinay and Anup - I have recently become friends with both of these fine people. Anup worked with Rick in a previous life, and Vinay and Anup have been friends for some time. Both have relatives that live in Northern India. Vinay and Anup are the inside men...speaking bits of Hindi here and there with our local villagers. They can get you anything you want on the inside, and it won't even cost you that much. They should be great companions on our Trek into the Himalayas.
From Left to Right: Bobby, Lisa, Anup, Jose, Vinay, Rick, and me.
Part 1: The Nepal Trek. The first month.
I am typing this on my computer back in San Francisco. I now am starting to realize that I will soon leave the creature comforts of wireless internet access, a memory foam bed, and taquerias. Our first part of the journey is Nepal. We are going on a three-week trek (walk) on a trail called Manasalu.
Nepal is located on the continent of Asia. It borders India to the south, east and west. It borders Tibet to the North. The Chinese say that Tibet is part of China. The Tibetans believe it is their own Country. I believe whatever the border agent wants me to when they are frisking me.
We should arrive to Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, in roughly 20 hours and 8000 miles later. Once there, we are going to stay for the Festival of Lights. Not Chanukah, stop it. It is called Diwali. It lasts five days, as mass celebration should be taking place in the streets. Celebrating everything from boys being saved by snakes to victories of large wars, it's something not to be missed.
After that, it's on to a town to Gorkha, where we will convene with the guide and porters. After that, it's onward to the Manasalu trek for three weeks, where we will crest out halfway into it at 17000 feet.
Better get those cliff bars ready.
Talk to you soon. Keep traveling, wherever you are...
-Travelling Sherman
Welcome to another installment of Travelling Sherman. If you have ever read any of these, I'm sure this installment will not disappoint you.
So for those who may not know me that well, let me explain myself:
My name is Eric, Eric Sherman. I have gone by many nicknames throughout my life, some I should not state at this time. The nickname I have chosen this time is Travelling Sherman. Sherman being my last name, and travelling..for this is my job for the next 4 months.
I am joined by my girlfriend, Lisa Lin. Her nickname from now on will be Travelling Lisa, for the same reason as described above.
We both live in the City of San Francisco, in the State of California, in the United States of America. Here is a picture of where San Francisco is for those of you who may have been sleeping under a rock for the majority of your life:
We will be joined by the following people on the first leg of our Journey.
Rick - our fearless leader. His bushy blond hair reminds me of Owen Wilson if Owen Wilson was intelligent. He is the one that has made all the arrangements, as he is the well-seasoned traveler. Simply put, if there has been a question I had so far about anything on this trip, Rick is the undeniable source.
Bobby - Travelling Lisa's Brother. He is just going to have to get over his metrosexual tendencies and get used to 3 weeks of camping. I am glad he is coming. He is apart of the family. I know he can do it.
Jose - When you meet him, you simply have the desire to cancel your cable tv service. At about 50 years old, he is a fountain of youth. He has traveled to more countries in the world than George Bush can spell. Just take it easy on the baby wipes at 13000 feet and all should be just fine.
Vinay and Anup - I have recently become friends with both of these fine people. Anup worked with Rick in a previous life, and Vinay and Anup have been friends for some time. Both have relatives that live in Northern India. Vinay and Anup are the inside men...speaking bits of Hindi here and there with our local villagers. They can get you anything you want on the inside, and it won't even cost you that much. They should be great companions on our Trek into the Himalayas.
From Left to Right: Bobby, Lisa, Anup, Jose, Vinay, Rick, and me.
Part 1: The Nepal Trek. The first month.
I am typing this on my computer back in San Francisco. I now am starting to realize that I will soon leave the creature comforts of wireless internet access, a memory foam bed, and taquerias. Our first part of the journey is Nepal. We are going on a three-week trek (walk) on a trail called Manasalu.
Nepal is located on the continent of Asia. It borders India to the south, east and west. It borders Tibet to the North. The Chinese say that Tibet is part of China. The Tibetans believe it is their own Country. I believe whatever the border agent wants me to when they are frisking me.
We should arrive to Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, in roughly 20 hours and 8000 miles later. Once there, we are going to stay for the Festival of Lights. Not Chanukah, stop it. It is called Diwali. It lasts five days, as mass celebration should be taking place in the streets. Celebrating everything from boys being saved by snakes to victories of large wars, it's something not to be missed.
After that, it's on to a town to Gorkha, where we will convene with the guide and porters. After that, it's onward to the Manasalu trek for three weeks, where we will crest out halfway into it at 17000 feet.
Better get those cliff bars ready.
Talk to you soon. Keep traveling, wherever you are...
-Travelling Sherman
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