Wally's Visit to Nepal Dispatch

A visitor to Kathmandu this week will be struck much more by how normal things are than by scenes of destruction. The city is clean, orderly. There is plenty of food and the price of fuel is lower than it was before the earthquakes.

Certainly many people are living in tents. And there are still large numbers of Valley residents who are in their home villages, where they want to be with family. But the real concern now is remote villages, not the urban parts of the Kathmandu valley.

More than 80% of hotel rooms have remained available and fully functional, not a single bridge collapsed in the valley and the roads are fine.

Kathmandu Durbar Square is badly damaged, some is lost, but much is still there.

And the markets are still busy. This valley can grow and produce food, don't let anyone tell you differently. It is now planting season as monsoon begins, but I've not heard reports of any food shortages. And the food is still excellent!

My first morning back in Kathmandu

"The wildest dreams of Kew" are still the "...facts of Kathmandu"

Kumari Ghar, The House of the Living Goddess, survives

Garlands for sale, Durbar Square

Wally’s good friend Bidur Dagol, of Vajra Publications, at his book shop in Thamel. Inventory is very good; in fact in remained on the shelves!

Meanwhile in Thamel, everything is wide open.

They are just waiting for the tourists to come back.

We’ve marvelled at the wiring in Thamel for years, but it held up! Power, internet, phone, no problem!

We know of no place else in the world other than Thamel where you can shop for mountaineering gear like this. These down suits are for sale in one half block section of Thamel. Try them on and take your pick.

As we said earlier, things are fine at the Yak and Yeti.

Well, OK…Maybe there is one problem at the Yak and Yeti.

And at Hotel Tibet International things are wonderful, as always. Tsering sends her warmest regards to all her friends from Berg Adventures treks and climbs over the years. See you soon!