Gap Yahhhhh Travels

Here are pics from Darjeeling and my journey to and around Kathmandu. I'm currently searching in vein for a companion to do the Annapurna circuit trek with. I registered for the permit today and got the email of 4 or 5 other people doing the trek alone, hopefully one of them will get bk to me soon. I've met quite a lot of people in Kathmandu, but nearly all of them are teaching or doing volunteer work. I really need to find people soon, as I've done most of what i want to do in Kathmandu. I intended to go tomz after the final tonight, but that's not looking likely atm. Either way there are loads of good restaurants in Kathmandu, so i've been pigging out to try put some of the weight I lost in India back on. I'm supporting Spain tonight i've decided. I met some guys who ran a charity Venture Trust, they are looking to start operations here in Nepal. They explained to me the horrendous discrimination the 'Untouchable' cast experiences in Nepal. They explained the bureaucracy and corruption that exists in Nepal means only 20% of money intended for charity ever filters down to the cause it is intended. The one impression they left me with, was when dealing with these people to smile and treat them as people, because they aren't by the higher castes. After wondering around Kathmandu yesterday (Just followed my feet) I got a glimpse at the extreme hardships that some of these people face, there are hundreds of Children asleep on the sides of the road, many are afflicted by eye infections that eventually render them blind - conditions that are completely treatable. I noticed the night before a lot of these kids are glue addicts. Giving them money only feeds the problem. Either way it's given me a new perspective on things. These people are in these situations by no fault of their own. In Nepal you have to work to eat, and as their own people won't employ them they have to turn to begging and other less desirable tasks. It really is sad. I hope things change soon.

Hopefully the next time i post, i'll have found a companion for the trek and be on my way...Love to all, x