Kathmandu

What a way to spend my 19th birthday, arriving in Kathmandu, a city bustling with character. We went out to a nice bar where they played live music and the singers dedicated a song to my as the cooks brought out free drinks and cake for my table. It was alot of fun and also a great way to end my group trip with Intrepid. It was so weird to be on my own again after the tour ended.
I just recently decided that i am no longer going to go to Europe. I dont really know what i was thinking when i decided to go there in the first place, when there is still so much to see in Asia. I am in the groove here, loving the culture and the people I cant even imagine leaving here yet and going to an whole new world in Europe. I can save that for another time in my life, but for now my heart is in Asia. So along with being alone in Kathmandu I now have to cancel all my plans in Europe and my plane tickets and begin planning my next adventure, which was a little stressful for me.
I have my plan sort of figured out now; After doing my Yoga Retreat for a week i will fly to Beijing and start a China/Tibet Adventure for a month. Starting off by seeing the Great wall and Terra Cotta Warriors than experience the colorful culture of Tibet. The change of plans makes me more excited for whats to come of my trip.

I Stayed a couple of nights in Thamal, The crazy, backpacker's heaven of Kathmandu. The roads are lined with different shops and pubs selling everything you could possibly need. I really got the hang of living in Thamal, starting off with language lessons in the morning, walking around and enjoying the energy during the evenings. On my Second day of being in Kathmandu, there just so happened to be the most crazy festival of the Year, Holi. Originally, on this holiday boys would throw powder at girls that they liked to "claim" them but now its just a huge party in the streets where people throw water and colored powder at anyone and everyone. There is no way you can walk the streets without being attacked by people with powder, covering your entire body. I went to check out this holiday and immediately got attacked by two kids smearing bright blue powder in my hair and on my face. I got into the spirit of the holiday and bought some water balloons, filling them with water and powder and throwing them for defense. I ran into a group of young backpackers who were really getting into Holi, and tagged along with them all day. We ran around the streets and at one point led a group of about 50 Nepalese guys celebrating through the streets. We took cover in a Closed convenience store, the store manager feeding us junk food and alcohol from his shop. It was one of the best days so far but the fun ended when me and the other girls i was with all got 3 raw eggs cracked on our heads and mobs of guys would try to "feel us up" and got aggressive. We had some drinks and than cleaned up but i STILL have orange yellow and red hair from the powder after 3 days... It was fun to be able to meet some fun young travelers and join in the celebrations together..
I am learning a little bit of Nepalese but its been a little challenging. Today I got dropped off at my next volunteer home, an orphanage housing 50 kids. I am defiantly going to need to practice more Nepalese because most of them just look at me like i am stupid when i try to talk to them. The orphanage is not very structured or organized.. the kids basically run around with no rules or people watching them. I am lukcily with two other voolunteers so i have some people to hang out with aswell.. I well keep you posted on how its going, the computert is about to shut off....