First Class Service to Third World Charm

As many of you know, I left on March 30 for Kathmandu to take the trek up to Mt. Everest Base Camp with my longtime friend and customer John Carney. Flying well makes a big difference. I left the US yesterday on a business class ticket with Etihad Airways and was very well taken care of. Business class included amazing lay flat sleeping, allowing full and complete sleep on the first fourteen hours of the flight,  a large screen monitor chocked with movies and programs, an amazing international crew, service, and food - and that was in business class. First class had even larger more comfortable quarters and supposedly a private chef.

 

I had a four hour layover in Abu Dhabi. The airline arranged for a meet and greet at the gate. This caring and smiling representative escorted me and my new friends Audrey and Jeff to the first class lounge where we showered, had a spa treatment, and a nice personally prepared sit down meal. They are both heading to Everest as well (climbers and trekkers are beginning to find each other). Audrey is a trekker on my trip. Jeff is a climber who attempted to summit Everest with my friend John Carney and is back for his second attempt. It's great to be in this community, and the players can be identified from afar.  The lounge looked, smelled and acted like a Four Seasons. Travel at this level and these experiences are what makes me love what we do.  

 

 

 

 

The Etihad Representative escorted us to the next flight. Watching the Arab cultures walk through the airport and the Vegas like world outside in Abu Dhabi was fascinating. The Flight to Kathmandu was less than four hours. Another meet and greet had me an my new buddies get off the plane first and into a private van to baggage claim where my bags where pre pulled. Visa and passport control was clunky, but having gone through it first made it easy.

 

Upon entertaining Nepal, a real world experience began to change from a first class one to a third world country experience. You could tell the air was thick with pollution and the chaos of taxi drivers and private pickup vehicles with tons of signs and hordes of people yelling out their company or offer. I saw the Alpine Ascents (the company who is leading the expedition up Mt. Everest) sign and followed the crew to their van. We waited for one more traveler to arrive - Erin Carney, John's niece and my hiking buddy. She welcome the friendly face and off we left in the van through the chaotic streets highlighted by dimly lit shops to the Yak and Yeti hotel.

 

 

The hotel is a blend of what seems to be ancient Nepalese extravagance and sixties or seventies modern. A clean and calm retreat from the streets of Kathmandu. Our guides checked us in, we dropped our gear, and headed down for an Everest beer (yeah that's the name of the local beer) and some conversation. John and Nick (Johns college roommate and my soon to be trek mate) found us and the day ended with friends, travel tails, and grand expectations. After a great night sleep I write you today from a sunny lounge and bad cup of coffee. A great start to what is sure to be an amazing journey.