Yeah Nah

Yeah nah so I don't like Kathmandu.

It's too busy. Too loud. And there are way too many people here for my liking. Some pretty dodge people too in my opinion.

Now I know there are dodge people everywhere, but yesterday they were out in full force. Not sure whether it's because it was the second day of a 10 day festival, or whether this is just the norm in Kathmandu.

I had a really uncomfortable experience. I was walking to The Garden of Dreams, which is only a five minute walk from my hotel, and a local started talking to me (had opened with "nice tattoos"). I didn't think much of it as it was just outside the gardens and I was distracted because I needed to buy a ticket and didn't want to, I'm getting low on cash and because I'm flying out tomorrow I didn't want to withdraw more and cop the high ATM fee.

Anways, he said the temple across the road was free and because it's festival time it's busy and interesting.

Long story short, he was sticking around me and although he was very friendly (like most Nepalese people are) I was getting uncomfortable. But because I'm a woman I did that woman thing and I told myself to give him the benefit of the doubt, that I was being unfair... so we started walking to another temple (supposedly 10 minute walk) and we were on a very crowded street and that was ok... until we turned on to a quieter street... and then another quieter street... but jokes on him, I happened to know exactly the street we were on as it was the street with my hotel! And I had decided since my unconfortable feeling was ringing loudly in my chest, gut and ears I was getting the fuck outta Dodge! I told him I changed my mind and no I didn't want to see something else and dashed into my hotel lobby where I had a cup of masala tea and could calm down.

Was the guy dangerous? Was he just having a crack? I don't know for sure but I wasn't willing to take the chance.

And even though I was very shaken from the experience I decided I was going to finish my tea and go back out there and find some yarn for knitting. Because fuck you possibly dangerous guy, I'm not letting you dictate my time in Kathmandu.

Wouldn't you know it. I take five steps out of my hotel and a guy approaches me and says "nice tattoos" to which I said "nope!" and charged on!

This happened so many times I lost count. Men would come up to me and tell me "nice tattoos". The last guy I noticed him notice me and crossed the street, he did too. He followed me for a bit and when he complimented my tattoos I told him "nope go away!"

If it wasn't those creeps it was men trying to sell me drugs or little kids begging me for money. They all got the same response.

In terms of the yarn I found two stores that stocked skeins. The first I really liked but she was asking too much. The second I managed to talk the owner down from 1200 rupee to 500 rupee. As someone who hates haggling I was really bloody impressed. I think the trick was I wasn't too keen on the yarn and pretty keen to get back to my hotel room. By this point I was overstimulated and needed my own space.

I was worn the fuck out!

So while a part of me really wanted to do the deal for 500 rupee the owner didn't actually have it in stock and it would take 20 minutes for him to get it. I wasn't prepared to wait.

But at least now I can say I've haggled a good price!

But yeah, just to reiterate, for all the ladies reading this please take note, if you feel uncomfortable pay attention to that feeling. Don't try and be polite and don't give the benefit of the doubt, because contrary to how we were raised, we DON'T owe anyone ANYTHING.

Now I may have just been an easy target because I'm a solo woman traveller but I think maybe it's something else at play.

It may surprise you (especially any work mates reading this) but I do think I attract people. Like a bloody gravitational pull. Even back home when I'm walking along the street I will move to the very edge of the path when I see someone coming my way and even if they're on the very edge of the other side of the path they will move toward me so that when we finally pass each other I have to turn to the side or collide with them. I'm so fucking over it that now I set my shoulders and bang right in to them!

Another example is at dinner last night I went to an empty bar. Twenty minutes later a couple walks in and out of the many MANY tables they could've picked they chose the one right behind me! The bastard even pulled his seat out and smacked it into the back of mine.

And tonight at the airport so many people stopped and stood right next to me. Like we knew each other. And would just leave their bags near my feet, what the fuck?! And when I was in line to check my bag the guy behind me was so close he might as well have jumped up my arse! He kept pushing into my backpack and didn't stop until I turned around and said "oi, stop it!"

I'm worn out, my head is thumping, and I'm sick of people invading my space!

Honestly, can people just LEAVE ME THE FUCK ALONE!!!! Get out of my personal space! If I don't know you I sure as hell don't want you next to me unless you look like Marcus Bontempelli.

Look like this 👆🏾 or fuck off out of my personal space!

But I'm going to finish off with a positive. Yesterday morning I did the Everest flight. And it was, to use a pommy phrase, the dog's bollocks!

I don't even think I can describe just how wonderful it was to see the Himalayas from the sky, and I don't think the photos do it justice, but I will say this, looking out at the mountains made me think that if I had a choice in the next life I would quite like to come back as the wind blowing across the mountain ranges.

The middle one is Everest

👆🏾 this is Gauri-Shankar. No one is allowed to climb it because it is where Shiva and Parvati live