Okay, so a quick Kathmandu update. We all arrived in the city last Friday, and Monica was really sick with a stomach problem that had hit on her and James' trek. James and I hung out with her for a couple of days while Wyatt and Todd (James' friends whom we were meeting for the trek) headed out to start, in order to keep to their tight schedule and avoid a Maoist strike starting in the city today, stalling all traffic in and out of the city. Mon toughed it out for a few days, but we were unsure just what was the matter, and she certainly wasn't getting better, so, after a sad farewell here, she's headed back home early to get diagnosed and recover in a safe place.
James and I are now trying to get going on the original plan, hopefully meeting up with Wyatt and Todd at some point along the trail, and we were planning on heading out to the trekking jumping off point in Pokara, Nepal today, but the above mentioned Maoist strike, which had seemed to be just rumor by many accounts, turned out to be very real, meaning our bus was very really parked for the day. So hopefully we head out tomorrow.
So no real travel updates, but anyone in the Seattle area, make sure you give Mon two huge hugs from James and me when you see her, and wish her a quick recovery. She was a real trooper, keeping up a smile and a strong composure in spite of what was obviously massive pain. We miss her a ton, and can't wait to see her back in the Northwest when our tickets allow. We'll do our best without her.
Good health to everyone,
Dave
