Day 15: Please charge your Battery NOW

14.07.2016

We have been on the road for half a month now, even though it feels like an eternity. We have been able to gain countless impressions, infinitely many memories and images stored in our minds forever.

Nevertheless, I feel very exhausted and tired. Somehow, we haven't been able to rest much in the last 15 days. In India, we had an insanely intense schedule, similar to that of a top manager's calendar, and we didn't back down in Nepal either. Although mountaineering wasn't stressful in the hectic sense, it was definitely physically challenging. The time in Chitwan pushed us to our limits, as besides some scheduled activities, the fear of unintentionally dying (the heat was really intense) was omnipresent. Not to mention the travel days in between, which didn't necessarily lead to an increase in recharging the battery.

Now, on this 15th day of travel, we plan to take a bus from Chitwan to Kathmandu. We leave very early and believe that this leg should be a bit shorter than the previous trips. Looking back, I can only say once again - wrong. In the end, we are on the move continuously from 07:30 to 17:00. The good thing about it - the bus is air-conditioned, the seats are sufficiently comfortable, and the road couldn't be better even in Austria - ATTENTION FALSE INFORMATION!!! - Actually, this last bus journey we take in Nepal is by far the worst. It's hot as always, and we think we're being particularly clever because we take the last (row of 5) seats. Unfortunately, the problem is that the seats become detached there. At first, it would have been possible to switch seats, but since there was hardly any shaking at the beginning, we were very optimistic.

Later on, it becomes clear that the journey is going to be a pain. The bus is full, and the road (a major route between the capital and a big city) runs for hours along a pass carved into a rock, and the potholes on this "road" definitely take up more space than the still intact sand. Yes, that's right - sand, or gravel. That's why there are potholes. Since the Nepalese apparently are in a hurry, they are not deterred by the curvy Emmental-like road and start overtaking in every curve with loud honking. The inevitable happens. Accidents - Traffic jam. And two hours without any movement. The good news: I don't notice much of it because I fell asleep at the open window. The bad news: Many cars, which have fuel-inefficient traffic jam behavior and are otherwise more of a medieval brand, create a gray layer on my entire face. When I wake up, I feel like I've been a chain smoker for at least a lifetime.

Well, they say the lungs will regenerate. And besides, we go on. I actually manage to read a book, which is sometimes difficult because curves + potholes + very spontaneous behavior of the seat bring about a range of movement in all directions. Very stomach-churning, but I manage to get through it without major nausea.

A child doesn't see it that way and throws up on the floor - which certainly doesn't contribute to a more pleasant atmosphere.

Finally, when we arrive, Little Harry suddenly appears before us. He has been waiting for us for two hours. What a surprise, and help, since we have no idea where we are.

In the evening, the manager of the tourist office takes us out to dinner. I have to say: we are really having a great time. The manager and Harry teach me how to efficiently eat with my hands, and I actually manage to shovel most of my meal into me. It's also very entertaining, especially since the manager seems to have a little crush on the fair-skinned Hetti. We make plans for our next adventure and go to bed well-fed and slightly tipsy (after a beer - somehow the air seems thinner here).