Permits, Passport photos, Visa, and Complete Change of Plans!!!

Where to begin? I am not quite sure....how about the beginning ;)?
If you didn't know, my best friend Zach was to arrive in Kathmandu tomorrow and we were planning on trekking the Annapurna circuit together and generally just hanging out/catching up after 3 months apart. This was the plan and I thought of all people the Maoists and their striking was going to throw a wrench into all of our plans...think again.
So, this last week has been spent volunteering a few days at the Ashram (which is the Nepali equivalent of a nursing home), where I mainly scrubbed, washed, did laundry and dishes. But this placement is only a half day placement in the morning, so I spent the afternoons organizing and planning for Zach to come. This meant going to Immigration to extend my visa (which was set to expire while we were trekking), getting our TIMS card (which is a general permit you need to trek), our actual permits (for the Annapurna Conservation Area), making general plans for time in Pokhara and Bungee jumping when we returned to the capital. Wrongly, I evidently over planned...

Because Wednesday night (my time) when Zach was suppose to begin the series of flights to get here I get (poor boy! 2 hours after he sent it!) a urgent message from him saying that they wouldn't let him board his flight because he supposedly needed a transit visa while connecting in India. WTF! I connected through India, and besides waiting FORever to get my boarding pass, everything went off without a hitch. AND! They won't even let him board his flight, just madness!!!
I called him, we talked and agreed that he should still try to come. Zach was off trying to make phone calls to see how to expedite a visa and change his flights, etc. I was sitting waiting and worrying to see what would happen. Talk about a letdown, I stayed up until 3am in Kathmandu to get the terrible news that Zach was NOT coming. Ugh! What a bummer? I was in a right state, for sure!
As all of this is happening, Emma (who was going trekking else where, leaving tomorrow) offers to let me tag along with her if Zach was still coming but just later on...How sweet of her! Well, 24 hours later guess what I am doing? Packing and preparing my family for my departure, because I am trekking Langtang start when I get off the bus tomorrow.
Honestly, this is how the Universe must have wanted it because today went SO smoothly getting my trip in order....last minute nonetheless, that (as corny as it sounds) this trip was fate. In order to go trekking with Emma tomorrow, I had to get a new TIMS card, a new permit, several items from the store, cash from the ATM, and a bus ticket. ALL of these things happened today without even a minor glitch...it is just UNbelieveable! Really, fate had to have been on my side with this trip.
Furthermore, Kathmandu really showed its love to me today. Besides all of my logistical things going as smoothly as they possibly could. I walked through the streets enjoying these absolutely beautiful flowering purple trees, which is SUCH a contrast to all the dirt and pollution in Kathmandu. Then at lunch, by myself it was really sinking in that I was NOT going to get to see Zach. I was really getting quite sad and just feeling bad for myself, despite the GREAT day I had. Then this man who was sitting next to me with a group of foreigners starts talking to me....asking me where I am from, America...which state, Michigan. Guess what? Both of his sons live in Michigan...and one works for Ford. What a small world?!?! Then he told me he lived in Pokhara, introduced me to his in-laws (the group of Thia people who were with him), and said when I come Pokhara he wants me to call him. Heru is just one of the many examples of Nepali people who are just some of the most generous and hospitable people you will ever meet. This is one of the many reasons why I love Nepal and probably will always be drawn back here for the rest of my life.
So! After all of the chaos, I am going trekking (Langtang), visiting Pokhara, and hopefully get to volunteer alittle longer if time permits. The only downer is not seeing Zach, it was going to be really great to see a familiar face from home...but Emma is a pretty solid replacement and probably a better cuddle buddy than Zach :) On that note, I still have a lot more to do before I leave tomorrow. Please keep sending your prayers and good vibrations my way....I am sure I will need all the help I can get while trekking (and carrying all my own crap!). I miss you all, until next time.