Otago medical research expedition to Mt Everest: The Beginning

The Trip

Loaded Sam’s van with all our gear (over 370kg!) bright and early on Sunday morning and he and Phil took it to the airport to start checking it in while we waited for the group to arrive and load into the taxi. We were finally on the way to the airport, although just as we got onto the highway out of Dunedin Sam called and we realized no one had picked up THE lab book, the book with everything we need to set up our computers for testing written in it! A quick u-turn found us heading back to the lab to get the book, so we finally arrived later than planned but with everything in hand. Getting all of our gear checked in and on its way to Auckland involved jumping through a few hoops and charming some of the check-in ladies but we managed. One check-in down, one to go…

In Auckland we met the remaining three of the group and checked in with no hassles. On the 12 hour flight to Bangkok we were all very excited, watching movie after movie and phoning each other on the seat phones. It was Joe’s first international flight and Phil explained to him that the supplied earphones were in fact nose plugs! Credit to Joe for not believing Phil. Bangkok airport was a monstrosity, and as 15 of us traipsed through looking slightly lost and bewildered we must have looked quite a sight! Had an uneventful night and returned to the airport first thing the next morning for the final leg of travel.

Arrived at the little dilapidated building that was Kathmandu Airport. Felt like we were stepping back in time, there were no computers to help them check us in, all the forms were painstakingly filled in by hand. We also set off the metal detectors one by one as we passed through and the guard just smiled and waved us through! Out of over 40 pieces of luggage only one didn’t turn up on the carousel – MINE! Typical! I didn’t panic too much, just filled out more forms to describe the bag and they said to phone the next day, but I didn’t feel too hopeful.

We caught a shuttle to The Kathmandu Guest House where we are staying and that trip was interesting to say the least, but Mickey is explaining the traffic… The Guest House itself is lovely, a peaceful sanctuary away from the chaos. There are pretty gardens with honeysuckle and jasmine, several bars and cafes to relax in, the rooms are perfectly adequate and the staff are wonderful. So here’s to the next few days exploring this city!!

Kate

The beginning

It has been 2 days since we’ve arrived in Kathmandu. We have experienced a number of power shortages throughout the city during our stay, this is not surprising considering the wiring around the place (see photo). Kathmandu couldn’t be more different to New Zealand. This place is a stark contrast to the world which we take for granted. The streets around the hotel we’re staying are narrow with tall buildings pressed tightly against each other, whist hundreds of power lines looms overhead.

The noise and smell of the city can become overpowering at times, and we’re constantly hounded by hawkers and shopkeepers wanting to sell us anything and everything as we walk through the chaos in the streets. The madness of the streets is nearly impossible to comprehend unless you experience it firsthand. The cars and trucks boldly rolls down the streets, whilst scooters, motorbikes, bicycles, rickshaws, and pedestrians weave in and out amongst constant honking. However, if you walk far enough away from the tourist hotspots, you’ll start to find yourself in the local districts, where the shopkeepers sell fruit and vegetables, and whole meat carcasses lying exposed to the air (and flies!!!).

Perhaps one of the most interesting discoveries during our stay here in Kathmandu is what the local children and teenagers like to do in their spare time… throwing water balloons (well water bags are probably a better description) on unsuspecting tourists from the overhead windows. We found ourselves constantly glancing up above our heads, paranoid from these frequent guerilla attacks from the local pranksters.

One of the funniest stories thus far would have to be Jim’s patient approach to dealing with a hounding hawker who tried to sell him wooden flutes. Instead of using the convectional method (to simply say no thank you, then ignore them), Jim patiently decided to dissuade the hawker, by listing a number reasons why it would be impractical for him to buy the flutes. Eventually, after 30mins, Jim resorted to literally running away down the road!!! Of cause the hawker simply caught him again, 10seconds later where they begun round 2.

Mickey