As usual, the flights were long and crowded. Getting more and more crowded, it seems, and not just the flights, but the airports as well. Throngs of humanity, all with their duty-free, masses of bags and stuff. Garbage bins overflowing on the floor. Out of forms because too many visitors. Bathroom lines out the door. Nowhere to put things on the plane; overhead bins crammed full and no real leg-room.
We passed through Abu Dhabi on the way here, a shopping mecca surrounded by land that is all one color - sand. Even the roofs and roads all blend together.
Flying in over Kathmandu in the dark revealed few lights and many open fires until we were right over the city, and even then it had very low illumination for a city of this size. The air quality was hazy; almost fog. My bag never showed up, so now I am in the vortex of bag-recovery mode. I will be fine, but brought almost a bag full of things for the OR. We will see what happens with that over the next few days.
It was dark on the way into the hotel, but we could see that most of the roads are cleaned up. Most of the rubble and debris are swept and piled into stacks alongside the road. "There was a house, and now is bricks," commented our driver. We certainly will see more of that today on our way south to the hospital.
We are at a hotel familiar to me from my last visit, and all is comfortable and friendly. I had to deal with the desk clerk about my bag and he asked what was my "good name". Very sweet. Great breakfast, those of us who need to be here are here.
This morning we are going with Dr. Shankar to a Ministry and get registered as medical workers. We get to see the bureaucracy at work - or not - and then off to Kirtipur for our first day.
We are all showered, rested, and ready to go.
We passed through Abu Dhabi on the way here, a shopping mecca surrounded by land that is all one color - sand. Even the roofs and roads all blend together.
Flying in over Kathmandu in the dark revealed few lights and many open fires until we were right over the city, and even then it had very low illumination for a city of this size. The air quality was hazy; almost fog. My bag never showed up, so now I am in the vortex of bag-recovery mode. I will be fine, but brought almost a bag full of things for the OR. We will see what happens with that over the next few days.
It was dark on the way into the hotel, but we could see that most of the roads are cleaned up. Most of the rubble and debris are swept and piled into stacks alongside the road. "There was a house, and now is bricks," commented our driver. We certainly will see more of that today on our way south to the hospital.
We are at a hotel familiar to me from my last visit, and all is comfortable and friendly. I had to deal with the desk clerk about my bag and he asked what was my "good name". Very sweet. Great breakfast, those of us who need to be here are here.
This morning we are going with Dr. Shankar to a Ministry and get registered as medical workers. We get to see the bureaucracy at work - or not - and then off to Kirtipur for our first day.
We are all showered, rested, and ready to go.
