I'm leaving on a jet plane

Kinga, Doris, Jacek and myself. Already in March/April we've planned this trekking in the Himalayas. We've planned to do Annapurna Circuit. Actually there was not too much planning done: we've bought tickets, Lonely Planet guide book - Trekking in the Nepal Himalaya, replenished broken or missing trekking equipment and that's it.

We've met once more to take a look at the map, which Doris got from one of her friends who did that trek last year (otherwise we would probably fly there without even a map) and even tried to do some more planning but somehow we let it go.

In fact when I think about it from the perspective of time - after the trek - more planning was not necessary.

Sadly just before the trip Kinga found out that due to the health problems she is not allowed to fly. Actually not the flying was the problem but the place and the type of the holidays. So instead of three different ideas Jacek had to listen only to two ;-)

We flew to Delhi via Moscow with Aeroflot airlines. Very interesting flight, especially one very specific Russian guy. Tattooed, dressed like viking or member of some Germanic tribe going for war. I just wonder how did they let him through security on the airport (especially in Moscow where you are even checked when you transfer) or how long does it take him to go through. For sure he had to take off all his bandages, leather, buckles and cords. And his leash (sic!) that his friend was using to lead him on.

In Delhi we were supposed to fly at 7.30 a.m, but couple of days before our flight was moved to 8.40 p.m. causing us 13 hours delay. That pissed us off, but even though I've managed to use all my charm to convince the man at the JetAir airlines sales desk to find us earlier flight and change it although we were told before by other guy at the another counter that there are not tickets and flights available. That everyone has the same problem in fact. That was of course bull shit as the mas easily made the change and we flew at 12.40. And what's more the flight was half empty.

My charm by then got exhausted and all day I must have been annoying, wound up, hungry, tired and sleepy. Big apologises to Jacek and Doris ;-)

Time in Kathmandu was short and we've spent it organising permits:

• ACAP - Annapurna Conservation Area Project: launched in 1986 to protect the environment with sustainable community development in Annapurna area by the local people.
• TIMS - Trekkers' Information Management System: implemented to ensure safety and security of the trekkers and to control illegal trekking operations

For ACAP we had to apply in Tourist Center in Kathmandu. It's a place where you can get your TIMS too, but then we were there it was closed and we had to go to TAAN (Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal) at the end of the city. We also had to return to Tourist Center cause Doris did not have her photos which you need for the permits. Two for each.

After we had all organised the only thing which we had to do was to change money and we've screwed it up. The easiest thing you can imagine to do in Thamel - tourist district in Kathmandu where we were staying. But we've met father and son from Poland, had beer with them and by the time we went back to our hotel all the x-change  spots were closed and they were not opened till 7.30 (or so) in the morning so instead of taking bus early in the morning to Besi Sahar we've taken bus only at 8.45 but even though we've made it to Besi Sahar on 13th of November already.

On a plane from Delhi to Kathmandu

Kathmandu from the air

Kathmandu from the air

Everest - our first beer in Kathmandu. Although I prefer Ghorka.

Nepalese must be very tolerant in terms of gender. Check this out. When filling in the form to get TIMS there are three choices available: Female, Male, Third

If you've forgotten trekking shoes you can buy them on the local market.

The same applies for water resistant watches. Make sure to notice this sophisticated model of proving the resistance.

Entrance to Thamel. Kathmandu's tourist district.

Kathmandu at 6.30 in the morning. This is when we were trying to find any open money x-change store.

Finally. On the bus to Besi Sahar.

Feels like you are dying

Come back to Poland was sad. I was flying with Aeroflot to Moscow and than to Warsaw. At the Bangkok airport I almost had a feeling that I'll take my bag and run away. I just could not stand all those Russians around trying to speak Russian with me as though I could speak it and the thought that it's the end. That now I'm flying back to cold Poland, coming back to work and coming back to reality. After 4 months of living relaxed life I have to come back to stressy and long hours work, to the routine which I hate.

On the plane I've spend most of the time sleeping. I've bought some valium at Khao San Road in Bangkok to make my time pass faster. When I was not sleeping I was eating or asking fly attendants to bring me one more blanket cause I was cold. Food was good (I guess this was the only good thing about flying Aeroflot) but attendants were assholes. First I was told: "No, one seat, one blanket". Fuck! What does that mean? After asking three times I've finally managed to get one more blanket, but I'm not going to fly Aeroflot ever again. Such an unpleasant service that I do not wish anyone to fly with them. And to make my fight for a blanket valuable I've decided to take it with me especially that I did not have any jacket with me and it was rather cold.

We had delays on both flights so in the end I've landed in Warsaw one hour later, my bag did not arrive so I had to go and claim it. Because of that I've reached terminal 1 instead of terminal 2. So I walked to terminal 2 trying to find people who come to pick me up and I was not able to see them. Same there, they were expecting me to wear my red Mammut jacket and arrive from different direction. The only reason why they've spotted me was that my dad saw in a window a beggar wrapped in a blanket and turned around to see if indeed he's right. And the beggar was me. Wrapped in Aeroflot blanket, cause my jacket was in a bag which was still in Moscow. There were also Kinga, Fazi and Doris to greet me; they've even brought Polish flag. That was so sweet and funny.

Even funnier was when we've started to drink and went for a party. Dunno how I've managed that all, but maybe it's the sleep on the plane that made me quite fit. I even don't suffer jet lag. The only thing that I suffer it's cold and my feet hurt like hell. After almost 4 months wearing flip flops or sandals wearing heavy boots now is a night mare. My feet are cold all the time and they hurt. All the shoes that I used to wear last year cause me pain now. They scratch my heels or squeeze my toes. I just cannot stand it.

Polish Vodka. Finally! And Asian signs.

Back at MY home.

Nowy Swiat by night

With my mum. Warsaw old city.