We're finally here, Nepal put on a great welcome for us, the Himalayas were looking splendid. We couldn't decide which one is Everest but they made the Southern Alps look like sand dunes. We landed at the airport and then spent the next hour nervously waiting for six Nepali immigration officials to decide if we should be allowed in or not. They didn't seem to accept our Visa and we ended up coming in on a tourist visa.

Once we'd cleared customs we were greated by some of the INF crew and we had our first experience of Nepali roads. Apparently it was a public holiday so the roads were "quiet".

While they technicially drive on the left there are no lane markings and as the general rule is big is best and whoever has the loudest horn. The streets are filled with cars, truckes, tuk tuks, motorbikes (driver wears a helmet and children ride without one), elephants, dogs, cows, bikes and people.

We then were wisked off to a medical clinic where we had three more vaccinations. I love being a pincushion!

We went to church today as Saturday is their holy day. We recognised a few songs that we knew from New Zealand that they were singing in Nepali. Otherwise we sat and pretended to laugh when everyone else laughed and said AMEN with everyone else and didn't understand a word! The Nepalis there were very friendly and pleased that we could extend a Nepali greeting to them so started talking to us in Nepali which drew a blank look from us!

We are staying with Matt and Liz, another couple from Wellington living in Kathmandu and working with INF. They have a beautiful house that they have really made their home with a great paint job and lovely furniture, a lot of which they have had made for themselves. We have the guest room upstairs which has great views.

We didn't get much sleep last night as most houses have dogs to protect them (despite every house having a dog the Nepali's are scared of them!!) and they decided to have a 'bark off' at 4am. The roosters then started and then the motorbikes - if we closed our eyes we could've sworn we were at the farm. Then the handbells started with the ladies walking down the street offering their puja - daily morning sacrifice to their Gods. They ring the bell to let the Gods know that they have left their sacrifice.

The guest room has a fluch toilet which we are excited about and we went to the supermarket and found drinking chocolate so for now - Jo is happy!

Please pray for us as the task of learning the language now appears very very daunting and so necessary. We leave for Pokara next Friday to start this after more orientation here.

jaimaste