So one of the perks of being Logistics
for the Squad is staying back in a place or going forward to another
place to make sure everything is setup. Our Squad Leaders, Hollis
and Noe, kept us back with them in Kathmandu for a few
extra days while the rest of the team when off to ministry sites. We
worked on some things for next month and took care of stuff that
needed to be done. Then they decided that we needed a fun day.
While we were shopping we started a great conversation with a local
shop owner. We told him that we wanted to see the Himalayas and he
told us that he would take us the next day. It was a total God thing
that this all came together at a shop right outside of our hostel.
He would take care of all the details for us.
The next day we got hooked up with some
sweet little mopeds. This was the first time in my life that I had
ever driven anything like this. I took a little practice lap down
the street and did okay. (Yes they do drive on the other side of the
street in Nepal.) So all four of us (Hollis, Noe, Melanee and
myself) got on our two mopeds and began to follow our gulde and his
cousin on their motorcycles. Our group was separated within
minutes. Noe and Hollis had fallen behind with one of the guides.
Our guide continued going so I followed him with Melanee holding on
behind me. Our first really snag happened before we even got out of
the city. Now I feel that I have to remind you that driving in
Kathmandu is like driving in alleys that are full of people and other
vehicles going anyway they like. So while I am trying to avoid
everyone else we take a steep little hill with a sharp curve and I
can not see what is at the top. I found out that there are a lot of
motorcycles parked at the top as I skid into one of them knocking the
bike over and popping off one of the mirrors. We inspected the
motorcycle to see that there was no further damage. I paid to
replace the mirror and we were on our way again. Not before everyone
had a good laugh at the American’s expense. The rest of the drive
was smooth except for the stop and go traffic coming at you for every
direction. We pulled up to a gas station to fill up and wait for our
lost companions only to find out that they had run out of gas and
were waiting to get some more. So after a 30 minute wait we were off
again.
After a little more driving through the
city we started to reach the city limits and some of the road limits.
We had a bumpy ride for awhile which slowed us down ior fear of
flipping over large rocks. We made it past the construction and onto
the country roads. This is where the beauty started to sink in. As
we scaled higher into the mountains more amazing sights were revealed
to us. Steep mountain sides with endless trees. Fantastic views
overlooking little villages. It seemed to go on forever. The drive
became easier as their was less traffic but more blind curves going
uphill on a limited moped. We were only run off the road a few times
by buses or trucks. As we started to make our climb up our last
hill, (Unknown to us that it was our last hill which was also covered
in gravel.) our speed dropped to less then 5kph which is less then
walking speed. The bike almost flipped back and Melanee and I
stumbled off the bike. We were okay and decided it would be better
to walk the bike up the hill.
it was worth every bit of trouble and so much more. Our guides took
us through the hotel lodge to the seating area which overlooked the
Himalaya Mountain Range. Even though our view was held to a few of
the mountains it was still one of the most breath taking sights I
have ever seen. It just seemed pure in every way. The mountains
were untouched and incorruptible. Their beauty seemed to be never
ending. As I sat there drinking my pot of hot chocolate I was
completely content with never leaving that spot. Even as 20 to 30
eagles soared over us calling out to each other everything still
seemed at peace. It was a day that I will never forget.
