In Kathmandu!!

Hi all,

Guess what!?! I'm finally here. I'm writing from an internet cafe right around the corner from my apartment in Lazimpat. (Yes, you can probably find that on google maps if you try really hard!)

So far everything is just amazing. I haven't been up to too much beyond a few visits to the office, dinner with my dearest Dhai and Didi, a little bit of shopping and a ton of wandering. And by wandering, I mean, being completely lost. But I think wandering sounds so much more poetic. I've finally learned how to get to my house from the main street, which is really a huge accomplishment considering how far set off from the road it is. I can also get to the internet cafe, and the big fancy grocery store...which is a lot like a gas station store back home, but here it's pretty snazzy. But anywhere else is still bound to be an adventure. The people...err, women (I'm still avoiding talking with men at all costs until I'm more sure of the rules) are very sweet and helpful. Earlier today an older woman took me by the arm, pulled me on to a microbus, somehow managed to secure me a seat despite the fact the bus (think 8 seater van) already had between 10 & 12 people on it, and then made sure I got off right in front of the shopping center.

In other exciting news, my nepali is way better than I thought it was. I'd still describe it as pretty terrible, but it's getting me everywhere I need to be and the answers to most of the questions I have. I was suprised that no one seemed terribly shocked when I started to speak nepali, but I suppose that's because of the area I'm living in. It's not a tourist area, but I've seen a couple of other "pale folk" around and one UN vehicle. Still, my light hair is attracting attention. Some of the younger boys have tried to say hello, but I'm too shy to acknowledge them. And one of the school girls stopped me on the street to say "You are looking so cute.(in english)" I was, of course, tickled pink.

Alright, one more bit of excitement and then I'm off to take a nap before dinner. I was able to get my Nepali cell phone today. It cost approx. 80 USD which means it will be my biggest expense for awhile, but it was one of the cheaper ones in the store. (side note: they are playing Seether in the Internet cafe as I type this :P ) Anyway, about the cell phone. It looks like one of the more basic phones back at home, but I was pleasantly suprised to find that it came with a microphone/headset and fm radio. I'm really excited about the radio because I've always found song lyrics to be a great way to learn a language. It's also really comforting to have a phone..and mine's already full of numbers I can call if I need anything at all.

I have to say that it's so comforting to have such a great support system already in place here. It makes me feel confident that everything is going to be just wonderful.

Alright, I'll write again when I can...something about monkeys I think.. Love you all!