Nepal: the wrap up

Okay people, we are at a faster net cafe so I'll update you on what jumping to my death was like and everything that happened from then until now.

Well, bungee jumping went a little like this. We walk out to a suspension bridge that dangles 160m above the wild Bhote Kosi river. They harness you up and video tape your last words while you look at the platform you have to jump off (a 2X4 metal extension with "Why Like This?" written on it...Not encouraging to say the least). They basically walk you out until your toes are reluctantly dangling over the edge and you wish you hadn't made this decision.

Looking down at the river and the rocks you choose to either build suspense and take your time, or jump right off to get it over with. I chose option two, to my own surprise, and I even kept my eyes open the whole way down. The feeling was like being in a wind tunnel with a really pretty bottom you're hoping not to smash up against, then suddenly you're flying back up again and down again and up again...It was a real rush, and I'll never forget the sound of the wind all around me while I thought to myself " wow, you really jumped!"

The rafting was incredible and I would looooove to do that over and over again. All I have to say is wow.

The next day Ryan and I were off to Chitwan National Park. We started the day with a Village visit to see real village life of the Tharu people, which was quite interesting, followed by a near birdless bird-watch. That evening we went to a cultural performance that was really great. There was dancing and singing and martial arts, and the best was the peacock dance, where the peacock mated me (meaning he gave me a flower at the end) and then I went up to dance with the men, and was joined by a bunch of other crazies like me from the audience. But I was the first one up!!! Ryan warned me about sitting in the front row, but I figure it's more fun making an ass of one's self, than watching other people do it.

The following day we took an elephant ride through the jungle and we got to see the infamous one-horned Rhino mommy and baby!!! We saw deer, monkeys, birds, and bugs as well, but the Rhinos were the coolest. Later, Ryan got to drive the elephant, and then we got to swim with her! Yep, we walked up her trunk, onto her back, where she rolled us off into this nasty river ha ha! So fun!

We spent the rest of the day walking through the grasslands and forests of the park, which was great but we didn't see any animals this way. The park is open 5 days a year for the villagers to come cut grass that they build their houses with, so we got there on day 5. Needless to say the animals were scared of all the people.

Ill save the details of today for my next entry, to come in....5 minutes! (just making it more digestible for all you people with short attention spans)