Kathamndu, Nepal -- Arrival February 19

When I arrived at the counter to check in my bags on the plane to Kathmandu, I was told that one of my bags was overweight and the agent suggested that I carry the other suitcase on the plane with me. I pointed out that I already had a carry on bag and was not entitled to carry on two, but didn't bother to mention that my suitcase was obviously too big and heavy to carry on anyway. Then I told her that I had not had a problem when I traveled from NY to Seoul because even though one bag was slightly overweight, the other was underweight and my combined total was well under my allowance. I also told her that most of what was in my suitcases was for orphans in Nepal and begged her to help me. She conferred with other agents, one of whom inquired whether I could have taken an earlier flight to Kathmandu or if this was the first flight out after my arrival in Seoul. I explained that I was flying on frequent flier miles and it was the first flight that I could get flying on miles, but I didn't know whether it was actually the first flight after my arrival in Seoul. I didn't understand the issue at all until he explained to me that the baggage weight allowance when you cross the Pacific is greater than the baggage weight allowance when you don't cross the Pacific. If I took the first available flight to Kathmandu, then it would be okay because it was essentially a connecting flight that include a Pacific crossing. If I could have taken an earlier flight, however, then this flight was only from Seoul to Kathmandu, the baggage weight allowance was lower, and I was over my limit and out of luck (presumably, I could have paid a fee for the excess, but we never got that far). Fortunately, they considered that I was on the first flight out so both of my suitcases were permitted with no excess fee. Whew! I know that this isn't very interesting, but I mention the issue as it might be relevant to another traveler reading this blog.

On the plane from Seoul to Kathmandu, I suddenly became a bit anxious about spending two months in Nepal. I wondered whether I really realized what I was getting myself into. I also got nervous when I read a customs document that had a list of only 6 consumable items (liquor; cigarettes, cigars, or tobacco; 15 pieces of camera film or 12 reels of movie film; necessary (?) personal medicine; ordinary packed foods up to 1000 Nepalese Rupies; fresh fruits up to 1000 Nepalese Rupies) and 13 non-consumable items (used personal clothes, one used movie camera or video camera or steel camera, one ballpoint pen set, one set playing item for player (?), fishing rod, etc.) that you are permitted to bring into the country. If you had more than the permitted number of any item or any items that were not listed (glasses? is a digital SLR camera covered by video camera?, camera lenses?, books? hairbrush?), then you were supposed to go through the red line instead of the green line. Going through the green line with dutiable items could subject you to confiscation of goods, fine, penalty, and prosecution. I was concerned because my suitcases were filled with art supplies and other things for the kids at Nepal Orphans Home ("NOH") and, as I brought a small pharmacy with me, I may have been considered to have brought more personal medicine than was necessary even though it was only for my personal use, if needed. Since NOH is a charity, the things for the kids should not have been dutiable, but who is to say what Nepalese customs agents would decide? I decided that I'd better go through the red line. When I finally got there, however, it turned out that neither the red nor the green lines were even open. As I headed in the direction of where the red line was supposed to be, I was directed to walk past the green line area and just walk out without even handing anyone my declaration form. Another potential problem averted.

As I walked out with my luggage cart, I immediately spotted the handsome Vinod holding up a sign with my name. I smiled and waved to him just at the very moment that the floor began to slope down and, a second later, my cart had tipped and all of my luggage was on the floor. I felt like an idiot and I'm sure that it looked very funny, but the crowd of people watching me didn't laugh as I'm sure my friends and family would have. When I finally reached Vinod, he greeted me with a warm smile, showing off his pearly white 20-year old teeth. He hailed a taxi and then stuffed me and my luggage into a micro car, like a dozen clowns piling into a volvo. As we drove through the streets of Kathmandu, I looked around and realized that I was in a third world country. It isn't like I have never been in an impoverished country before and I was well aware that Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world when I decided to come here, but somehow the realization that I was going to be living here for two months made me very anxious. Until I reached Nepal Orphans Home.