Not to get dramatic or anything but what a week!!
Trip Start
Nov 29, 2006
1
38
55
Trip End
Jul 23, 2007
Delhi,
India
Monday, March 26, 2007
You see, I thought that simply getting back to Kathmandu and getting an emergency passport would solve all of my problems. How elementary.
Tuesday: A representative at the US consulate, with all the warmth of an ice tray, told me that the consulate would "consider" my application for an emergency passport, and either grant it or decide that I'd have to park it in Kathmandu for another 2 weeks waiting for a proper one from the US. (elizabeth: begin to cry).
A kind taxi driver next took me to a hotel that stank of cigarrette smoke and b.o., and I began to tear up again, at which point the manager of the hotel, while showing me the room, instructed in a nice voice that I should "keep your emotions to yourself" because "a lot of people have problems and they don't cry"
the wise man that stopped me from crying
. (elizabeth: begin to cry and get angry).Thursday: I had a valid emergency US passport (they are only valid for 1 year, but cost the same as a regular passport). With it in hand, I ran to the Nepal immigration, who would take 24 hours to dig up my visa number in the books (read: actual books, not computer). In the meantime, I ran to the other side of the city to get my molar fixed (see previous curry related entry) by a nice dentist from Oregon. The highlight of my week, and no, I'm not joking.
Friday: With passport and Nepali visa in hand, I sprinted (not jogged) to the Indian embassy as they were shutting the gate. You see, in order to travel through India, or, as in my case, to sit in the Delhi International Airport on Monday for 10 hours until boarding my connecting flight, one still needs a visa (and if your President is George W. Bush, you get to pay 3x the amount). not kidding. well - maybe kidding about the reason for the hike, but it's 3x the price.
Sunday: lost seat on flight to delhi, requiring me to purchase incredibly overinflated business class flight to delhi which increased my layover to nearly 24 hours.
More drama. more tears. I'm pretty sure that there is a chief inspector at the Kathmandu Police Headquarters will do all in his power to make sure I am not permitted back in the country (I need to learn *when* to vent, and when to be quiet). Needless to say, your nice emails/comments have been so fantastic I only allowed myself a few a day to spread the happiness out over a period of time.
Monday: While not excited to find myself in Delhi again with a near 24 hour layoever, I did have the chance to visit another Western Union (thanks again, mom and dad) the owner saw what I think was complete dispair in my eyes, and invited me to eat with him. We mostly ate in silence, but later we talked about his sons studying in the US. At the end of the meal, he wouldn't let me pay, only told me that he wanted me to be happy again and to remember that life wasn't about money or things, and that good things come from God (pictures of Hindu gods plastered the walls of the western union). He also said to "pay it forward" for the next time I saw someone who was sad. I will upload his picture for you to see later, but this simple businessman, stirred stuff up and I think, for the first time in a week, that things are going to be OK.
Next stop - Istanbul.
Comments
hope things are getting better
ok - so i thought you were amazing before - this is just further evidence. i know the past week has been less than pleasant but hats off to you for sticking it out and moving on - i think i would have just taken the plane home and forgotten about dehli or anywhere else for that fact. you are an incredibly strong woman and your perseverance is amazing. whenever you feel down (and believe me, after what you've described, i would have been crying for days), remember there are those of us who think you're incredible for having kept going when many of us would have given up. stay safe - happier travels ahead.
kaw