Friday, December 21, 2007

I LOVE NEPAL!!!!

When you travel, some destinations just seem right. Something about the place makes you happy, or at home. Nepal is that way. Nepal is a beautiful country filled with beautiful, smiling people. I am enjoying myself immensely here. Had 2 great paragliding flights yesterday in an amazing settnig. The mountains here are huge, pictures don't describe them.
The motorcycle ride to Delhi was less than fun. Dirty, dusty, a bit scary, uncomfortable, but pretty uneventful. I arrived at a friends house in time for lunch. So I survived the ride.
I will write more soon. With pictures I hope.

Before I sign off I would like to wish everyone the warmest holiday greetings. I wish I was there with you, sitting by a fire, enjoying some great Christmas cheer. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Nepal.

Sunday, December 9, 2007

This is the end my friends...

One week from tomorrow I will be officially done and free for almost 5 weeks. I can't begin to express how badly I need a vacation away from this hillside. It is hard to put my finger on one specific reason, it is a multitude of things. Regardless it will be magical when I finally roll down the hill.

Here is a picture of my 10th grade class taking there exam in Parker Hall

We are right in the middle of exam week, with my last exam on Tuesday. Then a few days of B.S. stuff and the students leave Friday morning. I have the weekend to prepare for my trip. Then a final meeting on Monday and I am gone. Where you ask???? Let me tell you.


Monday afternoon my bike will be loaded with paraglider and my gear for a 5 week trip. First, I ride to Delhi, via Saharanpur. Tuesday I will finish the ride and kick it in Delhi with some buddies. Wednesday the 19th I hop a plane for 2.5 weeks of paragliding in Nepal. Arrive in Katmandu and head the next day to a town called Pokhara. Pokhara is the second largest city in Nepal and the site of one of the best paragliding spots on the globe this time of year. Consistent, good conditions almost everyday. It is also the starting point for the treks of the Annapurna region of Neapl. The backdrop to my daily flights will be the snow clad peaks of the Anapurna Range, numerous 20,000'+ peaks. I am excited to get my knees in the breeze again. It will go a very long way in clearing my head of the cobwebs from 5 months of hard work and relative stagnation from this past semester. I plan on flying and far and/or long as I can everyday. I hope to do some serious flying, I will fill you in as soon as I can. I plan on spending a few days in Katmandu at the end of my trip. Here are a few pics I stole form some guys flicker account. Thanks who ever took these pictures!



Upon my return to India in early January I will pick up my bike from a friends house and ride out into the Thar Desert. The State of Rajasthan is supposed to be a place a mysticism, romance, and beauty. The land of the Arabian Knights (or if it nights?), ancient hilltop forts, camel safaris, colors, sunsets and endless desert. I have heard great things about this place and I am excited to see it. I think the Enfield will be a great way to get around out there in the desert. It will allow me to get off the tourist trail and see some things that not many people get to see.

Hopefully, I return rejuvenated (and in one piece) ready for 4 more months of hard work. I trust that I will.