Trip to Nepal
October 2006
Day 20- Ghandrung to Birethanti
This was my last day on the Annapurna circuit trail. After breakfast, we found out that there was a general transportation strike and the road into Pokhara was 'closed.' Normally, a cab ride to Pokhara would be about 300Rs, but Ram negotiated a ride for 1500Rs into Naudanda, a town about half way to Pokhara. This ride was like being in a video game, as we were virtually the only vehicle on the road, and the road was clogged with pedestrians. So the driver kept his hand on the horn, swerving constantly in a game of chicken where he and the pedestrians seemed to abide by the same rules. Or maybe I just didn't notice the bodies accumulating behind me...
When we got to Naudanda, Ram gave him 2000Rs more to take us into Pokhara. He came all the way into town without meeting any resistance. So it cost about $50USD instead of $5USD because of the strike, but Ram wanted very much to catch a bus back to Kathmandu the next day.
This was the Indian method of carrying stuff - it seemed harder because all the weight rested on one part of the neck and the balance was harder to maintain. | |||||
. | Cute kids. | ||||
Birithanti - a fairly nondescript town, more noted as an exit point from the trail. We took a cab from here to Pokhara. | |||||
Another Maoist tax collection point; note red Maoist flag over their bunker. They wore green fatigues and placed themselves by the entrance to a bridge. | |||||
The commercial area of Birithanti. Get in line, there's enough for everyone, no shoving. | |||||