Kathmandu October 24

 Images from PhotoKathmandu, in Patan. Most of the work is exhibited outside in public places.  Much of the deals with the history of Nepal and struggles for freedom, the changes in society.  There were also exhibits about Afghanistan and China. The work has a strong social activist critical commentary.  Very invigorating.

It is 2:38 PM in Utah, it is 2:18 AM in Kathmandu.  I was wandering the streets last night, an a bit of a daze from lack of sleep,  in the authentic mountaineering stores looking for the equipment that would be in the missing bag...fortunately at the last minute I threw in an extra headlamp, an inflatable mattress to use at the airport, that last pair of big leather mittens.  No ascenders, if I need ascenders it is going to be a bad day anyway. No smaller gloves, no sleeping bag, no harness, no crampons, no ice axe.  I am supposed to get up at 5:00 AM  to go to the airport, but was dreaming that everyone was going on this trip up the mountain, we were doing some kind of research, then I woke up and decided to check everything again that I brought...dexanemethasone, check, acetazolamide, check, advil, do I have enough advil, check, powdered beet juice, check, extra batteries?   Maybe I should write that mid-term for my class.

The great lion's feet at the base of a very old Hindu shrine.

 Outside of the Patan Museum

It seems like a lot of reconstruction and construction is done by women.  There are still many places being rebuilt from earthquake damage.

 last hike up Millicent Friday morning, typical Hindu shrine doorway

Amsterdam...Delhi...Kathmandu

 Amsterdam Schiphol Airport...thought I could get to the museum before the next flight, but there seemed to some long security custom lines issues....





Delhi Airport International Transfers...

View from my hotel room at the Hotel Pleasure Home, formerly the Norling.

 Patan, to see the PhotoKathmandu exhibits

 This would be all very nice, Kathmandu's noisy chaotic streets crowded with scooters, school children in uniform and a thousand smells.  It feels like an infinite city, even though I have lost my fear of just wandering around or taking a bus.  Taxi: $4.50 bus 15 cents.   But, my worst fear has come to pass: the airline lost one of my bags, a bag with a tent, sleeping bag, crampons, ice axe, 3 pairs of gloves, 3 hats, big down jacket, puffy pants, hard shell, harness, helmet....I have gone from a feathered friends -20 down bag to a fleece liner.  So Nima is trying to borrow some gear, and I am wandering the dark streets (electricity off) of Kathmandu looking climbing gear.




lost bag

Kongde

This is the mountain, as seen from Lukla, then as seen from Namche

Nepal: Kongde

 Preparing to climb a mountain...

Mount Olympus

 West slabs of Mount Olympus overlooking Salt Lake Valley

 cake!