Day 47: Pokhara to Kathmandu

Trip Start Sep 21, 2006
1
48
228
Trip End Jun 01, 2007


Loading Map
Map your own trip!
Map Options
Show trip route
Hide lines
shadow

Flag of Nepal  ,
Tuesday, November 7, 2006

The prospect of another seven-hour hell in a cramped, noisy bus over the potholes and around the precipitous paths of Nepal's mountain roads has put me off adding a jaunt back in the Chitwan National Park (where I spent a few days four years ago). But this six-and-a-half hour journey back to Kathmandu (including obligatory daal bhat stop for the driver) is not as arduous as expected.
Kathmandu feels more frenetic and grimy after the fresh air of Pokhara. The sun rarely reaches the narrow streets and leaves on the trees are coated with brown filth. The street-cleaning strike is over though. The Maoists are in town after harassing villagers to send their male family members to Kathmandu for a rally. They are unloading cadres onto neighbouring homes for free food and lodging. Since entering the peace process, they are arrogantly taxing all and sundry as if they are the official government. Their posters are everywhere. I'm still highly suspicious of a group that extorts money with menaces and includes the images of known mass murderers on their literature (Mao and Stalin).
Walking around Thamel, I'm interrupted by a Nepali dragging around Tibetan refugee as an introduction to offering trips or hotels. When I say I'm from London, the Tibetan (in archetypal red puffer jacket) replies, "Awright! Diamond Geezer!" Once foreigners assumed all Brits sounded like the Queen. Now they expect us to speak like extras from Eastenders or Only Fools and Horses.
Print this entry Kathmandu hotels