Return to Kathmandu

Nearly two years on I have returned to Kathmandu, this time with Iain. We are teaching at the Leaders Conference, will also visit the landless folk by the River to see how the school which has been established since our last visit is progressing and will be looking at the possibilities for two potential projects.

We flew with Jet Airways in a new 777 as far as Delhi. A good friend of mine who works at T4 Heathrow had booked us in so that we had exit seats and loads of legroom and this time no nasty incidents with the nearby toilets.What was remarkable was the average age of the passengers on board who mainly seemed to be in their 70's or 80's !! Iain and I both felt incredibly young as we helped many who were struggling on their own to get from their seats to the toilets! love them!

Delhi Airport was also interesting......an absolute shambles at the transfers security point where a Jet Airlines Employee, who was trying to be helpful caused 58 of us who were connecting from the London flight to the one for Kathmandu to push into the long queue causing several arguments which reminded me of those experienced in the Domestic Terminal in Kathmandu 2 years before. Then when we did get through another employee told us to hurry as they were closing the gate for our next flight. Iain and I then ran for what seemed about half a mile to the Gate dispelling any illusions of youth.....Iain was running ladened down with several laptops he was taking as gifts, I too hobbled along with him with a heavy bag and doggy knee. At one point we were outsprinted by a lady who must have been in her mid seventies!!!!

Anyway we just made our connection and have arrived safely......another update tomorrow..........