Day 6: Departure to the promised land

5th July 2016

After a rather unpleasant night that allowed me to explore the filthy floor of our luxury resort, we head to the train station as quickly as possible. Just away from this area. Since we know that an air-conditioned, modern subway awaits us, the local temptations - starting with fake clothing and technology accessories to street food (which is proven to be the preparation for a colonoscopy) - can hardly stop us. No, that sounds very negative now, and India certainly has very beautiful, recommended, and touching sides, but after 6 days of continuous travel with the crowning glory of an overnight stay in India's most luxurious suite, our snobbish travel style is slowly but surely enough for us. So off to Nepal.

Arriving at the Indian subway station, we soon ask ourselves: "Can this really be the same country? Air-conditioned building, clean corridors, seats, and no noise?" The airport also reinforces our skepticism. It seems that India wants to reveal its true self only after the final and hardly reversible arrival of its guests.

The flight to Nepal is not nearly as dramatic as Gudi predicts. Although there are bumpy episodes from time to time, we have something to distract us because we are served food. The landing at the often quoted, allegedly high-altitude airport of Kathmandu is child's play for us. We do not know how much the stress level of the pilot increases during the very steep descent through the clouds and the short runway. But a special training is definitely required to land at this airport. I would also need special training to survive the pain caused by Gudi's brackets during landing.

We easily check our visa and immediately organize a driver to the Thamel district, which includes most accommodations and a hot nightlife (almost everything closes by 9-10pm). It is becoming apparent that we are well-traveled and shaped by the challenges of India. But it also seems that Nepal is a bit less dangerous. On the way to the accommodation, we notice some differences from India that make us rejoice after the past week. Firstly, there are also women on the streets of Nepal. This pleases especially the ladies, but of course also my eye, which is deprived of nice eye candy. Furthermore, there are significantly fewer people here. One can imagine that on normal streets there is only double the number of people, but not 4-5 times the number of people as on a shopping Saturday in Mariahilferstraßen in December. And the animals... some of them are actually pets, not street animals. Only the stench and the incredibly polluted air make us shudder. This is even worse compared to India. After a twenty-minute taxi ride with the windows down, it feels as if we have been working in a coal mine all our lives. Groaning, panting, hello cough. As long as half of Kathmandu also smokes additionally - following the motto: A scho wurscht (which I have translated from Nepali at this point). A positive point to end with: it is much cooler - a very important aspect when considering our mood level.

Upon arriving at the accommodation, we are horrified, maybe because we are very spoiled by our last Indian 5-star pavilion. So we actually dare to touch the door handle without a cloth and quickly lie in the freshly made bed, barely without shuddering. I must say, the disappearing challenge of overcoming our own disgust scares us particularly in these four walls. Joking aside... Welcome to heaven - Kathmandu is clearly the smart little brother of the older and cleanliness-struggling Delhi. Although Kathmandu is a chain smoker, it loves greenery and has a much more social and calm side than its Western Asian family member.

After a short update on Facebook, GMX, etc., we quickly set off to have dinner. We soon realize that the little brother probably wants more money for his services. However, he is decidedly oriented towards the West, also loves counterfeit clothing, and always has one or two bottles in his wine cellar. Delhi, on the other hand, is rather stingy with its offerings in this regard.

We have a short, lovely evening, treat ourselves to pizza and noodles, and notice that we can even tolerate them. And we get along with each other. We did before, but I think it is a little easier to maintain the mood in this environment. We wish each other a good night and are confident that it will be one.