First Few Days in Kathmandu

So, Im in Kathmandu, Nepal. After a 14 hour flight to Hong Kong, a 12 hour lay over in hong kong, and a four hour flight to Kathmandu, we made it. First impression is overwhelming. The cab ride in from the airport was definitely a sobering one. Kathmandu is one of the worlds most polluted cities, and it shows. Kathmandu is a full on assualt on all senses. The smells, are ever changing or choking maybe I should say. Constant haze and air pollutiuon is the result of the massive amounts of traffic on the streets. My lungs hurt from breathing the air from the last two days. There is garbage all ove the streets and the smell of poo is everywhere. Definitely not like anywhere I've been before. Walking or taking a cab seems like a deathwish as there is no logic in the traffic chaos. The constant honking and avoiding being hit by flying motorcycles and crazy cab drivers tests my patience. I think someone must keep taping dollar signs on my back, or maybe its the colour of my skin, but we are constantly bombarded by everyone trying to sell us something. A lot of poverty here and it is a sobering reality to see how lucky I am. A lot of people stare at me because I look really out of place, I've nvever felt like such a minority. Seems like there arent a lot of other western travellers here yet. But its not all crazy. WE have seen some really cool temples and medieval style towns. Lots of monkeys and stray dogs. Overall Kathmandu has been an intense experience, But now I feel as thoguh we have earned our right to get out of the city and head for the Himalya. Tomorrow we take a 8 hour bus ride to travel 160km to Besisahar, the starting point for the Annapurna Circuit Trek. Talk soon, next update somehwere along the trail I hope. Namaste!