Spontaneous hiking and Thurkpa at the Didi Shack

So I've finally started work. Didn't really know what to expect when I first got there, so I just hung around and observed what the others do. It's pretty amazing what a small editorial team such as ECS can do. I think the core team consists of about 10 writers/designers/reporters and they have to churn out two magazines monthly. The two layout guys basically design every single page of the magazines. My first day of work I had a simple assignment - taking pictures of architectural models made of waste materials at the opening ceremony of an exhibition at an art gallery. So that was an easy start. And today I just hung around the office and edit my photos, and read the new issue of ECS http://www.ecs.com.np/ . Yesterday, my editor asked me if I wanted to go hiking for a story on adventure sports. So I said sure thing and then he said he'll let me know the details soon. And from the way he said it I thought the hike was maybe one week later. So today my editor told me to get ready to meet our guide who will be briefing us about the hike tomorrow. That left me quite unprepared mentally but I just went along and we went to Thamel to get some trekking supplies right after. I bought a North Face windbreaker for less than SGD18 but that was beside the point. The main point is that the spontaneous nature of Nepalis needs some getting used to for a rigid person like me who is used to the order and stiff Singapore way of life. So the news is I'm going on a two-day hike. According to the guide it's a 5-6 hours trek, and we are carrying our own stuff (no porters). So wish me luck and maybe I'll lose some serious weight then.

And I've been eating lunch at this small provision-shop/place for the past two days. Alex and Wei Yang who came here last year called it the "Didi Shack", Didi meaning "sister" in Nepali and is an affectionate and common term to call middle-age women here, just like how we call Aunties in Singapore. And I think my favourite dish there is the Thurkpa, a Tibetan noodle soup which tasted like a cross between Mee Soto and Maggi Mee, minus the beansprouts and plus alot of spices and hot chilli paste. Plus a cup of steaming hot milk tea and a nice Thurkpa meal is just 35 rupees, which is about 70 cents. And my stomach has pretty much settled after that bout of stomach flu, and I hope it'll turn Nepali soon coz there are so many street food which I would love to try but don't dare to yet.

So off to the hike I go, and more details when I get back. I hope they have nice Thurkpa in the mountains.