From Kathmandu, Nepal

Finally this long, single day, one that started at 6:00 Thursday morning in Portland, is showing signs of ending at 10:00 Saturday evening in Kathmandu, having skipped right over Friday as though it never even happened, courtesy of the International Dateline.

Someone asked me the other day what Kathmandu smelled like. I had forgotten, but now I remember: It smells like sandalwood incense, marigolds and Daphne. And also like diesel exhaust, concrete dust, and over-ripe bananas. Like cooking oil, saffron and butter candles, and sometimes like fermenting garbage. And now and then, like weed. An odd mix, but I like it.

Oops...about that "day finally coming to an end" thing earlier?...nope. 2:00am now, wide awake, re-packing gear.

Namaste,
Jim Ronning