I am a man of questionable taste no longer...

A new National Geographic book, "My Favorite Place on Earth" ($22.95) lists some preferred destinations of the "It" people: Tony Wheeler, founder of the Lonely Planet Guide Books, chooses Nepal, and fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi goes for Brooklyn. And our own Rick Steves nails it by choosing El Puerto (Edmonds not Mexico...)

Wouldn't hurt a fly...

Tonight at dinner I was in process of trying to smash a mosquito between my hands when I realized where I was--Buddhists do not kill living creatures--Sumi (Gombu's wife), who I am discovering has a wicked sense of humor, informed me that yes, they do not kill any living creature. I did feel much better, when as an occassional lapsed Catholic, Sumi told me that they make exception for cockroaches.

Decent movie too...

A mini-Monsoon (Film reccommendation: "Monsoon Wedding") hit Kathmandu this afternoon while I was dragging Gombu and driver around in search of long-term visa information and future volunteer opportunities. The good news: the pouring rain sends the motor bikers off the streets in droves so the roads become much more tolerable (I have got better on the white-knucke driving: I simply take an Imodium tablet prior to every journey--the passengers are happy and less laundry for me) The bad news about mini-Monsoon: Gombu's driver, while extremely competent and safe, has a strange aversion to windshield wipers and defroster buttons. Today, feeling my "Dirty Pants" tablet wearing off, I finally reached across and switched on the wipers and fans--My actions were met with an icey glare but I no longer felt like Erwin's tank driver in North Africa.

Those rude and arrogant French....

Actually, the Director of the School (www.ecolenepal.com) Monique Dehon, charmed my socks off. She personally met me at the front gate and gave me a tour. Introduced me to all the teachers. It's definitely our cup of tea or pastis as it were. Reminds me of our fantasy school in Manhattan in the West Village--St. Lukes an Episcopal School that's out of our range both in price and probably acceptance (The school rejects about 90% of its applicants and let's face it--our kids our not that smart) The French School was recently certified as an official bilingual school (French-English) by the French Government. Coincidentally, there may be a new bilingual public school near our NYC neighborhood which may give ODC a headstart should we move to Nepal. And the French bus picks up near Gombu's house where we probably be living--the stars are lining up--NYC, then Kathmandu, then Paris...

Like the Lion from Oz...

One of my goals while in Cork was to get a pedi-cab job. However, the Lord Mayor's idea to make Cork, Ireland a bike-friendly city seems to have gone the way of the Celtic Tiger economy. Kathmandu on the other hand seems to have plenty of pedi-cab job opportunities--but I think not for me. Last night I paid a driver several rupees for the opportunity to drive his pedi-cab down the pitch black streets of Kathmandu (Nepal is in the midst of 16 hour rolling power outages--turns out the Maoist are better at "rebelling" than governing) Fortified by a number of Jim Beam and Cokes from the Upstairs Jazz Bar (More on that later), I hurled down the strets toward on-coming headlights but a number of nearly tragic accidents has convinced me to seek other job opportunities--perhaps a life guard at Yost Pool...Off to see the French...Bone Swaah!!

One night in Thamel...

...is enough. Like the French Quarter of New Orleans, Thamel of Kathmandu is best visited early morning when the hippies and trekkers are sleeping it off and the locals are starting their day. Nothing too eventful last night--some decent bars, some poor ones but I came across nothing exceptional as I expected in a one-night pub crawl. You do meet some pretty interesting people here though whose stories make your own life seem pretty tame. This morning (6 am--I didn't hurt myself too badly last night) was a great time to walk greater Thamel--one sight more inspiring and/or bizarre than the next as people find their way through mind-numbing poverty. Off to Lazimpat today (and night)--the neighborhood of embassies and aid agencies and a jazz club (Upstairs). Will also spend some time on my French tonight so I can think of some witty things to say in the interview with the French School Principal in hopes that older dreadful creature may one day be accepted.

Dateline: Thamel, Kathmandu

I have regretfully left my peaceful surroundings in Boudha with my dear Sherpa friends, incredible food, wandering monks, etc.. for the touristy district of Kathamndu. I thought my friends could use a breather from big western guy for a few days. I walked to Daffodil School from Gombu's house today and met with the principal (No torture chamber in plain view but possibly something that looked like used waterboard with partial alaphabet written in crayon) The walk to the school from Gombu's house is exactly seven minutes down little alleyways and one big stairway. The principal was a pleasant Indian man--didn't quite get the same great vibe as I did from HIMS the other local school I checked out. He's concerned about Kate struggling with Nepali and may not be as flexible as to start of school year--Nepali school year starts in April--but, he definitely was positive about accepting Kate and they have a nursery school for Jack. After lunch, I packed up for my few days in Thamel and Gombu's driver took me on a dry run to French School (meet principal Tuesday afternoon) Not walking distance but a 15-20 minute drive which makes it a possible choice (I think the whole family would have to wear diapers for the first few months as we adjusted to the Kathmandu driving conditions.) Now I will try to find a cheap hotel for the night and begin my research. Later in the week Gombu thinks he may have a realtor to talk to about space in Thamel for a bar. Monday I am off to the American Embassy to see if they would consider a visitor visa for Gombu's ten year old so she can visit us and Sherpa family in New York. Unfortunately my writing isn't as interesting without the photos but will post those upon returning to Ireland. Last night myself and the little girls had a dance contest Sherpa vs. Disco--I lost, they could really bust the moves. See you tomorrow!