Thamel

Up for breakfast, washing clothes, putting on wet clean clothes to have them dry on body.  The day is windless and sunless, my hairdryer quit, hence the body dryer.  Phillip went on a bike ride.  I'm going to try and figure out and blog what I did on the travel days.  In remembering it  ... it is all a blur.
About 10 I went to The Porch and had a cup of coffee.  I used the laptop to catch up on my blog.  The Porch opened about 2 months ago.  The gal working has been in N. 20  years.  The coffee was 95, I had 65 in correct cash, and a 1000 bill.  The waiter asked if I had the correct change, I said no.  He didn't have change and just took my 65.  Phillip met me and said qatar called and had what they thought was my luggage.  BUT  No I did not have 2 personalized bracelet that were engraved with Kayla and Katie... SO still no luggage.  Uffda!!  I went to the Top of the World.  There were about 25 ladies sitting around a couple of tables.  I ordered my coffee and the waitress said it will be a while, I said No problem,  I am in no hurry.   The ladies started their meeting with singing.  All in N, language.  I heard a praise song as background music.   Then the group prayed, and gave very excited reports So good to hear other Christian ladies.   I went to the school after that, Missy stopped to get me on the scooter.  I went to her challenge club class.  After school we went to Thamel for Anabel's birthday.  We took a large taxi at 5 pm with Evan's bike on top so it could get fixed while we were in Thamel.  We had a treat at Himalayan Java.   Then we went to a climbing wall.  Hannah made the trip with Anabel as a birthday friend.  We ate at Fire and Ice and had pizza.  Kristine and Rose joined us.  The bike got fixed and we headed home.

Ladies at Top of the World

Himalayan Java

At Fire and Ice

Where or where is my luggage?????

Up for breakfast, reading, singing, and fixing up Brooks as a 100 year old for the 100th day of school.
They headed off and I stayed and washed dishes by boiling water, washing the dishes, rinse with purified water and leave to air dry.  I took a shower and tried to read ahead on my one -a-day Bible reading.  The Bible is in my luggage so I'm just reading in those areas.  Phillip made a call to check on luggage.  Lord, please help find it.  Not so much for me and my stuff, but for whatever I packed for the Jensens.   I headed to Kisc about 11 and bought some pakodas and samasa.  I followed Missy around in the afternoon.  Pretty interesting to see her interaction with teachers and students.  So good to get a feeling of the Christian school where there is prayer at the end of the day, Christian songs, teachers talking about Biblical perspective, and bulletin boards with Gospel messages.  I stopped on the way home and bought some chocolates for dessert sometime.   Phillip had called the airport twice, but no luck.

Arrived!!!

We landed in Kathmandu about 11.  I found the place to pay $30 for my 15 day tourist visa that I had applied for online.  Next to go thru security and to the luggage pickup.  But my luggage wasn't there.  It was a lot of unorganized people trying to get their bags and get out.  Uffda!!  There was a sweet gal at the claim counter that filled out my form.  Phillip and Brooks were patientl wailting while I took SO LONG.  
I landed in Katmandu around 11.  I got my tourist visa for 15 days  $30.  Then a long line for scanning the stuff I was carrying.  Then to the baggage pickup ... Lots of suitcases ... but not mine.  Uffda!!!  Phillip and Brookes  were there to pick me up.  We went to their new home by taxi.  Anabel and Missy met us there.   Then we went back to school where Brooks played Capture the flag. Missy had a meeting, and Anabel's class had practice.   After school the kids and I came home.   Missy stayed for a meeting and to practice 3 on 3 BB for a tourney this weekend.   Phillip was a conference intil 6:30.  We had N food for supper and watched the PBS news before heading to bed.(with Tylenol pm at 8 and 2am.

Doha

 I arrived in Doha about 5 pm on the 28th.  I knew I would have a 10 hour layover and  I was planning on using the lounge  It cost  $55 for 6 hours. So I walked aroundthe airport.   It had 5 terminals with a giant Panda sitting in the food court area in the hub.  I wouldn't find out the terminal and gate of my flight to Katmandu until 4 hours before the flight, so I decided to walk to the various terminals.  I walked to A and back, to B and back, When I walked towards C terminal I saw that a flight was leaving for Katmandu in 5 minutes.  I walked to that gate in case my flight was leaving from that terminal.  The attendant I talked to said my flight would be leaving from terminal B gate 9.  He also hooked me up to Qatar internet.  I decided to walk back down to Terminal B gate 9.  About a 5-7 minute walk.  Next on the agenda was finding the lounge.  It took me about 4 tries.  There are several lounges at different prices and amenities.  I went up and down about 3 times to find the right place.  The lounge was really nice.  I can't imagine what was available in more expensive lounges,  (probably have horizontal resting places).  I filled a plate with a variety of food.  Breads, muffins, pastry, grilled chicken chunks, salads, soup, pasta, juices,   I sat and ate and watched.  There was a rather large room with glass walls that was marked Quiet Room.  It had 6 lounge chairs that were full,  After a while someone left and I took my food into there.  Quiet, horizontal, I did not sleep, but rested.  Later I left some of my stuff at the lounger and  went to take a shower.  The attendant provided towels, shampoo, and bath mat.  I went back and relaxed until my time was up at 1 am.  When I checked the flight board my gate had been changed to Terminal A, Gate 1 AND  the flight was delayed for an hour. SO off I went.  I sat on the floor near gate 1 while I joined the many others waiting for our flight to check in.   Check in went okay and off we headed to Kathmandu around 5:50 am.  I was sitting in a seat with an empty seat beside me when the man with the empty seat asked it I would take another seat and let his mom sit beside him, so I moved for them.  

January 27, 2020 Leaving for N.

Well, my travel plans turned out ok, but it was questionable for a while.  When we woke up there was a pretty fog and I didn't think any thing of it,  BUT it did affect my trip.  The 6 am flight out of Brownsville was canceled because of fog.  The plane flight I was scheduled to take at 11:40 comes in from Dallas and it could not leave Dallas because of the fog.  SO I got the info that my flight was canceled after I was at the airport at 9:30 and had checked in, but my luggage had not gone thru TSA.  Expedia called me as I stood in line waiting with about 12 people in from of me to get another flight booked.  I am so glad Denny was there with me.  He sat with my 2 big suitcases as I stood in line and talked to the expedia representative on the phone.  Did I say the airport is being remodeled and so we weren't sure where the airport parking was.  Denny let me off to start the process and then went to park.
[Also, I should add, my plan A was to weigh my suitcases at 8 am and check that they were under 50 pounds.  We were running late and took the luggage to the airport counter at 8:45  thinking I would check in at that time, BUT a drill Sargent from American Airlines with a thick German accent said I Could Not be checked in with out my visa and I had left it back at the trailer.  So home we went, I took a quick shower, I asked Denny not to take the time to shower, but just take me to the airport with Visa and luggage. ]
So I was talking to gal on phone.  She said I could get a later flight, leaving Brownsville at 6 pm, fly to Dallas, fly to London, Fly to Doha, and catch the same flight to Katmandu as I was booked on.  UFFDA!!!  That did not sound fun to me.  As I was talking to her the line kept moving to the counter slowly.   And I kept telling her how many people were ahead of me.
They made a flight at 11 am for the 6 am (10 people) that could not takeoff because of fog.  WOULD THE LINE MOVE FAST ENOUGH TO GET ME ON THAT 11 am flight????
YES!!!! It did,  They re-ticketed me for 11 am flight.  I could make all the connections without going thru London.  They re-tagged my luggage,  BUT (as I later discovered when my suitcases weren't in Katmandu) my luggage claim that I received from American Airlines said my bags were going thru London.  UFFDA!!
SO I was set to go,  I kissed Denny "Goodbye" and he said the sweetest prayer for my travels.  Thank you, Jesus, for my husband.    After I had gone thru the check in I sat, read and then used the bathroom.  No tp or towels.  Uffda!.  I traveled to Dallas with out any complications.  Yea!!
I had about a 4 hour layover in Dallas which I spent finishing the book I brought along and watching people.  It was good I did finish it and left it at the airport.  Thanks, 4 Seasons library!   There were Lots of people in wheel chairs boarding the Qatar flight to Doha.  I mentioned it to one N. lady and she said they were taking advantage of the system.  I didn't know that was an option  :) and I was thankful I didn't have to use a wheelchair.  The flight to Doha was 14 plus hours.  We left at 5:30 the 27th and arrived 4:40 pm the following day.  I still don't know how all that works.   One good thing on that flight was that there was an empty seat between me and the man passenger in our 3 seat grouping.  AND I was happy that the screen had the first seasons of Friends available.  SO I watched and ate and had complimentary beverages ... and took a tylenol pm to sleep a little.   I did enjoy the relaxing time of travel.   I do not enjoy having my flight canceled and then making different arrangements.  Thank you for prayers and God working. Non eventful trip across the Atlantic ocean.  Bring on the next day. 

x

Kathy and embroidery party

Slow quiet morning with only us here.  Nancy goes to church choir early.  We headed to the beach at 10.  Kathy and Bill picked us up.  Just relaxed and read and soaked up the sun before I head to the chilly mountains of N.  We headed home at 2.  12 ladies came to our deck to see and Kathy showed her embroidery.  Nancy, Gail, Jean, Kathy, Bert, Marilynn, Linda B. Jackie, Griselda and mother in law, Carol, Fay, Joyce and me.
                                       

 Prayer for God's plan:

Fun Week Banquet

Fun!! Donuts at community center at 9.  Then we set up tables and decorated.  I set out our 10 plates. Denny, Jean and I went to Harbor and Dollar Tree.  At 3 he went to practice for the skit.  Get together started at 4, entertainment at 4:30 Awards at 5 and meal and dance afterwards.  Nice bunch of people.

Petanque

9 am fun week contest.  My team lost.  Denny's team won one game.  Denny had swim practice and I went to help decorate the community room for the banquet tomorrow.  When we were done decorating Joyce, Kathy and Mary Kay went with me to the SPI Market.  Fun to go late.
Nice picture of Anabel in N. dress for school program.

Horseshoe Fun week not really

Another great day in the valley!!  We just finished eating a wonderful meal on the deck.  Nancy made the largest foil packet she has ever made for supper.   It was filled with pearl onions, baby potatoes, link brats, garlic, yum!  We watched tv at night.  In the am I lost my try at horseshoes.  Poor Brian was my partner.   I tried my best at left handed pitching.  Well, more time to read my book.  I was hoping to finish Plain Truth by Jode Picoult., but not enough sun time before Bible study.  Nancy, Jean, Mert, and Joan here.  Denny and I went to the pool for time in the pool and hot tub.  Kathy stopped and put  stuff in zip lock bags to help me pack for N.

 

Kathy’s birthday

Fun  day!  Fay, Kathy and I went to downtown Brownsville!  Kathy's birthday.  She got her pink wig, Fay got her 20 goblets/compote bowls/glasses for Banana Foster.   We got back in time for Ladie's pool.  It needed up that I got second ... but of course I spaced out and hit Marilyn's last ball into the pocket.  So all she had to do was make the 8 ball.  Uffda!!!   Family was on the deck and we left for the Seafood buffet at Louies backyard.  It was SO good. Way too much to eat.  Great day!!

Wrist sprain

Okay so the wrist was pretty colorful and swollen and my Nurse Practitioner's response (after receiving a text picture) said,"That's broken, Mom."  So headed to a Dr.  NOPE,  Luckily the x ray showed no fractured bones, just a bad sprain.  Hurrah!!  The doctor seemed like a nice guy.  But I did have to miss the shuffle board tournament this am.  Denny and Nancy did make it to the semi finals.   We grilled veg kabobs for supper.  Bruce came over to play a couple of board games.   Then we watched TV.

Fun week

So fun!!!  Darts at 9:30.   I did awful, but Denny, Kathy and their team got second.  Then at 2 I played pickle ball.  Louise and I got second, we lost to Bruce and Leann.  We invited PB people over after a surprise b'day party for Dave.  Surprisingly we used dock where the sun shone on us and then moved to the deck.  At 6 I played ponytail.  We came in third.  Quite the day.  Oh, yes.  During ponytail I looked at my wrist.  It was colorful,  I remembered I had fallen in PB and hurt it during the second game.  It hurt while I continued to play, but ... the game must go on.  Gail left this noon to go to Madison to spend time with Hope as Todd gets his knee scoped.

Memories / Bergman

Nice slow church morning, but chilly.  Home to hide under the covers and try to get warm reading my book.  Plain Truth a novel by Jodi Picoult.  I helped Gail rehang lights in her Texas room.  Down to play trivia.  When Mandy was 2 we went to Don B's pond with mom and dad and cousins Ben, Julie and Barbara.

Dinner Theater

Well, I got up and had my coffee down at the Center and watched Fay and Jerry make breakfast.  I went with Gail to Farmer's Market Yoga ... but No ... they had canceled and we were not aware.  So we came back and ate the amazing breakfast.  After breakfast we had a family call.  Good to see and hear from kids.   Kathy came over while the cleaning lady was there.  We had Mexican coffee and visited.  We baked 2 Stoeffler Lasagnes for the dinner show.  Great meal. The band was 2 Bad Apples and they were really good.  Dan H. invited them to his place after the show to play more.  Nice bunch of people who really enjoyed their music.

Afternoon at the Island

Wonderful slow am.  Coffee on the deck and an amazing morning.  Jean and Nancy went to choir practice.  I finished reading the book.  After lunch Denny and I head to SPI and had a great afternoon just being on the beach.  We both loved it!!  So much better than Iowa temperatures!!!  We stopped at Palms Cafe on the Beach and then at SPI B. for pizza.  It was really good.  We stopped at Walmart before coming home.  Great DAY!!!  Hot tub that wasn't bubbling.  About 50% of the time it works, oh, well.

Stocky????

Shooting range

Well, I tried pickle ball this am.  Hind sight is always 20-20.  It was good to be playing.   At 12:30 gals came for study:  Nancy, Kay, Sharon, Hilda, and Mert came.  After study Denny and I went to Masseys .. to shoot.  First time EVER/  Ot was okay.  I shot a full can of pop that exploded when I hit it.  After we went to Boca Chica beach and walked.  I love doing that.  We stopped at Bruces to see their new air conditioner and the rest of the sisters joined us.  I went down and played ponytail.

pastor for supper, friends for dessert

Beautiful morning. I went to play pool for a while.  Then I talked to Kay and we decided to ask park friends who go to Christ Church of the Valley and live in the park to join us for dessert.  Denny worked all morning making cilantro sauce and forming hamburgers into patties, cleaning, setting up the music, sweeping the deck, and vacuuming.   I read for a while in the sun.  Pastor John and his wife Marie, Wayne and Kay, Nancy and Jean were here for supper.  Well, I guess Jean went to play a board game with Gail and didn't stay to eat.  These came for dessert: Randy & Julie, John &Donna H,  Jake & Shirley, Linda & Becky, Brian & Wendy, Dick &Patty,  Tobie & Dianna  About 26 of us thru out the evening