Midnight Train from Agra

Namaste from Nepal,

That's right, we made it safe and sound to Kathmandu after a very epic overland border crossing into Nepal from India. We took the midnight train out of Agra on (what day was it?..) Friday for Gorakpur, India which is 30km south of the India/Nepal border. Let me just say this: second class sleeper cabins on a train in India are every bit as amazing as you would expect them to be. I didn't know whether to ask for Jenny's forgiveness, or giggle with joy. I don't think I can explain it with words. When the two India men next to us weren't snoring, we were actually able to sleep pretty well. It was everything that I'd hoped it would be.

After ariving in Gorakpur in late morning, we hired a jeep to take us as close to the border as possible. The jeep was the same size as all the jeeps in America, and there were 12 people inside, Jenny and I being the only crackers. It was a hillarious and difficult journey all at once. After four hours in the jeep, we finally made it to within 1km of the border, and hired a rickshaw to take us the rest of the way. At long last, we crossed the border at Sunuali. Our original plan was to overnight there at the border and take the bus to Kathmandu the next morning, but after scoping things out hotel wise and realizing how cheap domestic flights are in Nepal, we went ahead and caught a plane from Bhairawa to Kathmandu that very afternoon and were sitting comfortably in the Fuji Guest House in Kathmandu that very (Saturday) evening. After a shower, some Tiger Balm, and you know what, we were as happy as two puppies with two tails.

We are calling our overland journeys across India a success and a learning experience. We are very glad we did it that way. We feel we have a sense of India and its culture and customs because of our chosen means of travel. It was a once in a lifetime (and quite epic) trip. It is hard to believe we actually did it. That said, we would not recommend India to the faint of heart or those looking to relax for a while. We are very happy to be in Nepal where we can breath and enjoy ourselves. Our room is up on the top of the building by the rooftop garden with a view of the whole city of Kathmandu. It is a real blessing.

The next few days we are going to meet up with Shanta, explore Kathmandu, get an idea about what life is like here, and hopefully hook up with a Nepali church planter for whom we were just given the contact info. Our next stop in Nepal (probably next week) will be Pokhara. I've got a nice case of the runs from our last two days in India, but a big smile on my face. Hope all is well with you guys. Be sure to keep in touch.

Namaste,
Jason for the Ballards