Nepal or bust!

Hello Again!
It's been quite a while since I've posted on the blog, but since Hiking Boots in the city are pretty unnecessary, you can understand why.

Now I'm getting ready for a trip to Nepal.  No, I won't be climbing Mt. Everest.  The closest I will get is an airplane ride designed to show you the Himalayas and hopefully allow you to get some good pictures.

As I get ready for the trip here are just some musings:
Things I learned from my last trip- pack for all kinds of weather!  I froze!!!! in Africa, so while the temps are reported to range from the 50's to the 70's depending on where in Nepal I'll be, I'm packing fleece lined tights and a boiled wool sweater/jacket just in case!

This, again, will not be a gourmet trip, so here are the yummy things I have to look forward to:
Salami sticks (my heart almost stopped when I went to Jeff's tonight and they said they are no longer "allowed by law" to make dried salami!  Thankfully they are making salami sticks.  I have no idea what the difference is, but I bought them anyway).
Since I will supposedly have electricity (according to Lonely Planet, the electricity can go out in Kathmandu for up to 16 hours a day, and who knows if my three star budget hotel will have a back up generator) I'm bringing a rice cooker.  I plan to make my famous couscous/veggie crumble mix (although this time it will be with quinoa and/or rice).  I also found boxed tofu that doesn't need a fridge so yes, a few boxes are going with me.
PB&J
Tuna- again, what I learned from the last trip.  Tuna with flavors in foil pouches are gross!!!!  So with experience comes knowledge- I found mayo packets at smart and final and will be mixing the non-flavored tuna in a pouch with mayo this time.  Hopefully it will be edible.
For a treat I found pudding packs.  Having just watched a rerun of Sex and the City, the movie, the other night, I hope I will not pull a Charlotte!
Almonds and raisins.  I am making my own little snack packs.
Cliff bars- ever so trusty!

I am looking forward to getting dinners at the Chabad in Kathmandu, but was sad to learn that the branch in Pokhara will not be open until Purim (end of Feb), as that's when the "tourist" season starts, according to them.  That meant getting grape juice boxes again, so back to Trader Joe's I went...

I am now almost set for my trip, just a few more things to get then I'll pack.  Wish me luck, as this time I"m doing it all on my own...

As a final note, I purchased travel insurance tonight and learned that it covers flying a person to be my companion should I, gd forbid, be hospitalized (since I'm traveling alone.  If I had a companion already with me, then they would just cover them to stay).  So, who, in the hopefully unlikely case I'll need it, wants a free trip to Nepal to be my nursemaid?  I'm taking applications now :)

That's all for tonight, just getting back into the blog.
I hope you'll all join me on my adventure!
Robyn