Bandipur

So we're finally back in Kathmandu, it's only 17:30 and I can barely keep my eyes open. The journey to Bandipur was quite a challenge. 

 As is the Nepali standard, if you get on an empty bus, you will have to wait. For a looong time. The bus will only leave once it is full, meaning that people are wedged in between seats, sitting on the roof and on the floor next to the driver. Thus, only 2 hours after getting on the bus did it actually start moving.

Bandipur is a tiny mountain village that requires a 30min drive in a jeep on a mountain pass, and then another 5 minute walk because no motorized vehicles are allowed inside the village. We decided to splurge and stay in the Old Bandipur Inn, which was beautiful, had amazing views, and served western food (don't judge, daal bhat twice a day, everyday, is no joke).

Yesterday, as we were having breakfast, our hotel manager casually mentioned that there was another transport strike on, and that he didn't know when we would be able to leave safely again. Bandipur is beautiful, but there is only so much to do in a village of about 50 people. As such, most of yesterday and this morning was spent sitting and hoping for the strike to end, because we were all running out of money. Predictably, Bandipur neither has ATMs nor currency exchange points!

Thankfully, we managed to get out mid-morning today. We're off to pick up our tailor-made kurta salwaars now. It's good to be "home"!