| View Blog
|
|
|
|
On a cold and grey Monday morn I said farewll to Lotte (off straight to Varanashi with Anouk) and Tanyia (off in a few days with Joan to Chitwan, Nepal's National Park). We'd been good friends, family, and I'll miss them both, deeply. Sad eyed Lotte, wise beyond her knowledge yet a little lost, compassionate yet with an unforgiving cold streak and bright eyed Tanyia, lovely small town girl next door, again, a little lost. Both had worked tables long and hard to finance their journey towards a mended heart - I hope that both hearts were healing. Alone for the first time in weeks, I got the 7am bus and seven hours of introspection on the return to Kathmandu.
Should there be such things as halycon days, then my final few in Pokhara must be described as such: wake up whenever; sit outside in sunny garden with good cofee, toast, honey and birdsong; stroll down the lane to do any pressing business (buy a bottle of water, do an email etc.); pop up to a rooftop cafe for another coffee and the days paper before down to a lakeside bar and a few cold beers in the sun, chatting about whatever to whoever. Perhaps then home for a snooze before up to hot shower and ready for dinner, dining with family and those we'd met during the day, followed by a club: covers band (I hear that Zepplin are big in the UK too at the moment), a bit of drinking, pool, dancing and a walk home by starlight and comfy bed by one. A good life, but the weather was changing and the town was emptying as people migrated south. The party was over and, even I, knew that it was time to move on.
Eleven of us dined that last night in Pokhara but it was a pretty subdued affair, as was the night clubbing later. I said goodbye to:
Joan and will keep in touch with him and the rest of his journey (cross the whole wide world) via his website.
Shomie who, as usual, didn't know what he was doing next, man, but it didn't matter; Shomie will be forever fine - the rest of us forever waiting.
Adam, who can't help being a young American, and was off for a week on an Enfield Bullet with an English guy he'd just met.
Carlos and Teresa, opposite ends of the traveller spectrum yey both good company.
And, the beautiful Anouk.
Big Hugs and promises all round. So long all, it's been good to know you.
By the time I arrived back in Kathmandu I'd brightened up a little as had the weather, but it was chilly now - autumnal (which was probably just as well, for along with the increased police/militia presence, there appeared to be a strike which had left mountains of litter in the streets, good fun for the cows, chickens, dogs, and probably the rats). Most of the travellers had disappeared and it was time to sort myself out for the journey back (via a 12+ hour stop over in Delhi) in a few days. Back in time for a birthday and the next Moseley match.
|
|
Posted by maddlestone on 2007-12-11 06:54:58 | Rating: | Views: 121
|
|
| |
|
|
| Blog Comments
|
|
|
|
|
Hi Mike. Not sure whether you'll get a chance to read comments before you start travelling, but I just wanted to say that I read this blog with tears in my eyes ... (no really, I did). Safe journey home. The DU are looking forward to seeing you soon.
|
|
Posted by Paulalynch
on 2007-12-11 09:45:52
|
|
|
|
|
Hiya Mike. I can't believe how fast the time has gone, it only seems like a couple of weeks since you left. I'll really miss following your travels. Have a safe journey home and see you soon in the new year xx xx
|
|
Posted by hbrads
on 2007-12-12 04:00:06
|
|
|
|
|
I echo the above comments. This has been a fun experience for all of us through your wonderful prose and this blog malarkey. Safe journey home to birthday girl and the footie. But promise me you will sod off somewhere else soon so we can all do this again!
|
|
Posted by welshbeermonsta
on 2007-12-12 07:14:35
|
|
|
|
|
Thanks for all the interesting blogs Mike. It was great to go on your journey with you. Sorry I haven't commented on last coupla blogs but the last week seems to have lost several days. (I'm sure it should be Monday today.) Anyway, thanks for the voyeur's voyage. Who knows, we may actually meet again in person one day - safe journey home.
|
|
Posted by CatsWhiskers
on 2007-12-12 13:44:23
|
|
|
|
|
I too had a lump in my throat reading about your farewells. I saw some pictures from Nepal earlier in the week and got really envious. Thankyou for describing your journey so well, it feels like I have been there with you. Looking forward to seeing you soon and drinking some of that horrible beer you make me drink.
|
|
Posted by TTC
on 2007-12-14 15:51:27
|
|
|
|
|
Hi Mike - Thanks for the blogs - I will definately buy the book - on condition that you sign it of coarse. Thanks for correcting the Joan/Juan mix up. Got your postcard from Annapurna - looked beautiful
|
|
Posted by labsandydog
on 2007-12-18 18:49:16
|
|
|
|
|
|
Email This to a Friend 
