Katmandu is way cool. I wandered round aimlessly for hours yesterday, and there is just so much to see! The city is so old it feels like you've walked back in time. Not so old however are the many policemen wearing flak jackets stationed around every national monument in the city. I went up to a group of police stationed around one temple in the centre of town and shamelessly asked to take a photo of them. Three of them agreed happily while the 4th stood there looking mean and shaking his head. I figured that 3 out of 4 was good enough to risk it and snapped the shot. Then I asked them what they were doing there. They said something about a party. "Ahh, a celebration?" I said. No, the Maoist Party, they said. It seems they were stood there because the maoists have a habit of blowing up objects of national importance. That would explain the flak jackets, helmets, steel shin pads etc... Suddenly feeling very vulnerable in my shorts and t-shirt I thanked them and hurried away!

Katmandu is a shoppers paradise. You can buy anything here! Also, you can buy a copy of anything! Although I have to say that anyone who sets of to climb everest with a bag counterfeit bag full of counterfei gear is a bit stupid if you ask me! Just because your jacket says "The North Face" on the front and has a label saying "Goretex" inside doesn't make the cheap nylon it's made from any more weatherproof! Even more crazy is the idea of buying climbing gear from these shops! But hell, it's cheap.

I ate a steak last night!! And let me tell you, it was the most amazing steak i've had in a loooong time. Mind you, it did cost me as much as about 4 normal meals, but that's still less than 5 quid, so what the hell! :) Money really is funny here. Not that it makes me laugh or anything, it's just funny money. Like now for instance, I'm about to go and take a cab to the airport and back to pick up my gf (woohoo!), and it's gonna cost 300 rupees for the entire trip. That's less than 3 quid. In England the taxi starts with 3 quid already on the meter before you've even moved!!!!! For those non english amongst us, quid means pound (UK pound sterling), but keybaords in asia dont have a pound sign, so I always have to write it out....

Right, nature calls, must dash... :) Can't wait to se my baby!