Trekking is delayed

...for the moment. My friend Dave who is trekking with me got bit by a brown recluse spider (or could have been a mosquito ;)) around his ankle. He itched it and it got swollen pretty big, about 3 times the size as normal. We got some boiling water and submerged his foot in it last night, and that helped a bit, but it was still really swollen and red this morning so we went to a clinic here run by American doctors. The doctor cut away some of the mucus/pus and gave him antibiotics, so we're going to see how it is for the next couple of days. We had originally planned to start the Everest trek on the 17th, but now it's delayed to at least the 18th or 19th. I have my own wounds to take care of also actually. The back of my feet is worn away from wearing flippers a size to small while diving. I've actually been wearing sandals for the past few days because wearing my shoes hurts too much.

So, this turn of events sucks on the one hand, but on the other hand I can't help but think this is maybe a sign to delay our trek because maybe something bad might have happened if we went tomorrow. I don't know, just trying to reason our bad luck. But, I am still going to see Everest no matter what!

We've been in Kathmandu for 2 or 3 days now, I can't remember. We're staying in the area called Thamel which is backpacker central. Very touristy, with hundreds of stalls selling all kinds of stuff. I want to get our of this area and see the real Kathmandu, so tomorrow we may rent a motorcycle and do that. Although, getting around town with a vehicle here is basically like daring Death mano e mano. So far my general impression of Kathmandu is it's very similar to India. A lot of people here look indian, and the nepalese people look like chindians ( i guess they are). What's funny is that everyone here assumes I'm Nepalese! They come up to me and start talking to me in Nepalese. I feel like I'm letting them down a bit when I open my mouth and sound like a complete tourist. But, I do seem to get better discounts because of it. Haha.

I took so many pics, but the computers here just suck. I really wish I brought my laptop because these computers here can't handle the RAW format pics my camera takes. It's dissappointing. I wish I could share all these great things I've seen.

Anyway, will post back in a couple days before I start the trek!