Run for the Border

What a day this turned out to be. A long stretch of drive on the monster tour bus until we reach the border of India and Nepal. Now, our driver had been a bit punchy most of the trip, but when he saw the crossing, he nearly became unglued....insisting to back up and just go back! Well..he didn't know Tamar and she wasn't having it. The border was a mass of huge trucks, cars and the lucky ones, motorcycles. Our bus driver pulled off the road and we just watched in an awestruck, almost fearful state as vehicles honked, blazed in if they could or just sat motionless. It was dusty, dark and quite unsettling.
Tamar made calls, and headed out, to return with several rickshaws to get us over the border to hopefully get our VISAS into Nepal...the clock was ticking and we were literally running out of time. The luggage was stuffed into the various rickshaws and some of us rode in to keep baggage safe. Many went on foot. It was like a mad obstacle course, like a Texan derby car race on a Saturday night minus the alcohol.
Lydia and I rode with a wisp of a lad...perhaps 100lbs on a well-fed day. I was not too confident. What the hell...all an adventure...right? This young man had the strength of Hercules. We raced between rigs, large and small...stopping when stuck to turn back and slip through another opening where it was available. Truck headlights showing the way...or nothing but a faint light under our feet from vehicles over yonder. Some riders nearly crushed between 2 trucks, another sideswiped by another rig. Scarey stuff. Lydia held her pillow tightly, stuffed her face in it and just uttered a light screech from time to time. My adrenalin was going and I wanted to go on this ride for hours. Which even if only 1/4 mile to the border, seemed to take that long.
Finally to the border...the large white arch....Welcome to Nepal. Indeed. The border office, a small crackerbox building, wouldn't fit all of us, so we waited outside for our turn. $25 later we wander to the hotel...which is nearly next door, VISAS in hand....exhilerated and excited.
We are in Sunali, Nepal...bordertown. The motel is nice and small...it is late and damn near anything is welcome at this point. We reach our rooms....fine for a quick overnight sleep. I see a small dark creature in the toilet and my heart sinks...cockroach...God...I hate them. Changing in the next room and wondering what to do with all of the food in our bags, I hear a familiar sound. It makes me stop....our little friend is actually a cricket. I settle into calm...it's all good. Matt is not happy with the 'singing'...but i sleep in comfort that night hearing it.
Down to the hotel restaurant....we all trickle in slow, but sure. Our waiter is exceptional...best we have encountered on our trip. Matt and I opt for the local vodka to unwind....it gives us almost a euphoric, giddy high...what is in that? The next morning we would spot it in a window across the street at the liquor shop....the paranoid of the group warning us...."Watch that local stuff...it could make you blind." We look at each other and shrugg....we are on holiday after all...make it 2 bottles.
We pile onto a small green bus....I mean small. Feeling pity for the taller folks of our group. The driver a bit crazy and one of his cohorts has an affinity for strange pop music...including 'Barbie Girl' over and over...thankfully I am too happy to be in Nepal to let it grate on me too badly. The countryside remains barren in populated areas...yet more trees and hills.
We are held up one more time for a great length by a large parade of groups....adults, teens, elephants. Apparently a peaceful march or protest. The look of the general popluation different from that which we encountered in India. The look here more Oriental and less Mid Eastern. Such a short distance and such a change. Interesting. We are making our way to Chitwan National Park...to encounter elephants and hopefully, Rhinos.