Leaving Kathmandu with plenty of time felt like it was going to be an easy task. Various group members expressed their sadness to leave. We got stuck in a long line due to the computers being down, and once we got on the plane, started to calculate our other barriers. All but one had no boarding pass to LAX, and 7 of 9 had bags booked to BKK, Bangkok, rather than direct through. Our close connection of 90 minutes was now much shorter, and we had some things to figure out. Thai Airlines are gracious and professional above what most American airlines do. I guessed that a friendly customer service rep would be happy to assist once we were on the ground.
Meanwhile, there was a lama in Business Class. I was on an aisle seat with a Tibetan grandma by the window bowing over prayer beads. A young girl was assigned the middle seat, and kept getting up to go up to Business to do something related to the spiritual teacher. We exchanged a few words and realized we were both transferring to the LAX flight. A very elegant Thai woman who had been the companion to the lama came back when the seat belt lights went off. She traded seats with the young girl, and in a very serene way thanked me for helping the lama find his way to the next flight. Holding 14 baggage claim receipts and being the taskmaster for my own group to make the transition, what could I say? The more the merrier. The lama took my hand and was a radiant little man. We jumped off and on the moving sidewalks to get through the long corridors. My own companions laughed and questioned the curious sight of us together. Many others stopped to pay their respects to the holy man.
The airline was heroic in pulling our unmarked bags off a very crowded flight and getting them on to the LAX flight. It was another long flight, and the birthday of my seatmate, so we celebrated for two days since the clocks seemed to move backwards and extend the joy.
I am exceedingly thankful that I went on this trip. I am grateful for my companions who added to the photos for this blog and for all the travelers who each individually were excellent human beings. For all those rooting for me and those who offered support to the Madave Ghimire Foundation, thank you.
