The first days in Kathmandu/Nepal. Interesting and different to the places I have seen in India. Kathmandu is a quite touristy place and I have never met so many tourists before then here during this trip. A lot of temples and interesting places…

Here is everything: Internet on every corner, shops, restaurants, bars, rikshas, tourism - the business is running! Also the people are a little bit different and quite “western-styled”. The prizes are low and its possible to have a complete lunch with drinks under 1 US-$. Trekking-Clothes, jackets, T-Shirts, shoe, hats and coats on every corner - faked brands quite cheap…

So far my first impressions from Kathmandu.

I made a long walk through the city today and after having this internet-break I am off to Pashupatinath - a Hindu-place in Kathmandu next to the river. Tomorrow I am planning to go outside of Kathmandu, visiting some smaller villages.

After visiting Delhi (New and Old) I took the nighttrain to Varanasi (6.15 PM to 7.45 AM). This time I took 3AC, this means three beds in a row and aircondition. Delhi - Varanasi is about 771 km and this class was up to 1.200 Rs (app. 20 Eur). Tomorrow night I am going to take the normal sleeper class to Calcutta for 400 Rs (app. 7 Eur) for again 770 km. I took some Dal and rice for eating it in the train, as I was not sure, if everything is going smooth on the train-station. Many people… Many….

The train itself was quite comfortable and I felt asleep suddenly as I was very tired… and woke up at 7.30 AM. Before this I had a short talk with an Indian Doctor, who was in the bed under me. I asked him some indian related things… About Calcuta, Politics, Varanasi, Cricket, Internet, Food and the future of India… Very interesting…

So I am going to have a walk through the Gates in Varanasi. It is very hot here… people say up to 44 degrees.

Trying to get in contact with a working-colleague - Pooja S. She comes from India, works in the Netherlands within the same organization at the same company as I do. I am working with her in the area of 2.0 and internet. She inspired me a lot in doing this trip and made me interesting in the culture of india. Well… lets see what she is going to tell ;)