Snail mail

[snaark]

Ok, so internet and phone lines are down, and there is no indication when they might be restored. I've already paid a deposit on a trek in march, and I want to confirm my bookings. Does anyone know if good old snail mail is still working? Might be worth a shot.....

[webmaster]

Probably not - and it may be censored. Plus it will take 2-3 weeks to get to Kathmandu.

But this cannot go on forever (we hope). Hang in there for a few more days.

On the other hand, there will be so few trekkers and your trekking company will be so happy to see you, that they will be sure everything works.

[seh]

Hey Snaark:

I am in the same position as you. Matter a fact...my friend and I are travelling in March as well.

Just out of curiousity...What is your criteria for travelling?

Mine is...Communication restored, civil unrest needs to be somewhat contained(preferably away from the Everest area, and Kathmandu), and positive international media and trekkers from the region.

I have been watching the international news, and they all give a different perspective. This board has now become way more valuable now that there are no non-biased news sources. I am truly relying on other trekkers and travelers to give inside info. It is real important to me.

What is your take and others?

Thanks,

SEH

[Weka]

Same position as you; traveling in March. I'll try and get across by land if necessary - up from Varanassi (Benaras). I see it like this: I spent a year in Belfast and Derry during the height of the troubles in N. Ireland in the 70's. The media at home was portraying constant street riots and endless bloodshed. My parents were terrified. I, on the other hand, had a very peaceful and enjoyable time and would have recommended the place and it's people to anyone. I've been to Nepal before and know that I'll be safe if I'm not looking for trouble. Damned if I’m gonna let a little ‘ol coup stop me.
But I'm sure all will be well before March.

[Unregistered]

I've got a ticket for March 2 and I intend to use it unless there is some serious violence going on in/near the areas I'll be visiting (Kathmandu and Langtang). So far, everything I've heard is that things are still quiet in Kathmandu. I was there last fall just before Dashain and things were quiet then, too, despite the media reports. There was a two-day bandh in Kathmandu the day after we arrived, and the occasional rally, which I could hear but stayed away from.

I've been following things, um, obsessively since the 1st, and will continue to do so until I leave, but I do not intend to change my plans unless it is absolutely necessary.

Onward through the fog...

L

[Unregistered]

Oh, one other item... FYI... I mailed something airmail from the US on December 4 and it did not arrive in Kathmandu until mid January. I can't imagine mail service has improved recently.

L

[yakshaver]

I would expect internet communication to be restored over the next week or so... Still, even if one has to land in KTD without being able to confirm anything, things usually happen very quickly once they get there. Because Nepal is such a "volatile" destination, and some people do change their mind at the last minute, usually trekking agencies don't do or plan anything much until they actually see you exiting with your luggage from the Tribhuvan airport. From then on things progress quickly though. They can book your internal flights or bus tickets for the following day, they have a guide and porter, or taxi etc ready for you to go wherever you want.

[Nariwal]

I am to fly to KTM in March as well. I have been waiting my entire adult life to see the most amazing place on earth. I am coming. Oh Yes! I can't wait. I hope to see everyone there. I will buy the beer. You just name the place.
Cheers

[snaark]

Thanks everyone for replying. This forum has been absolutely terrific over the last week. Here I can get up-to-the-minute news without bias or censorship. Without this info I probably would have cancelled my flights by now.

I am going to wait until the latest possible date to see how things pan out. I am still a bit aprehensive about turning up in KTM assuming that my trekking company has organised hotels, domestic flights, passes, porters etc. I just hope the lines open in the next week or so.

I've been trying to figure out why they cut communications, then I read on another forum that there haven't been any protests because the communications outage disallows them from organising (despite what the ABC here in OZ reported about helicopters shooting at student protesters, which I now understand to be fabricated). It must be seriously hurting their economy, but I wonder how long they will consider the situation volatile enough to justify the outage.

Damn the monarchy, how dare they put local politics in the way of my holiday! The nerve.... :)

[yakshaver]

Your are right about the economy snaark. I wonder how long the carpet traders, other exporters and trekking agents will suffer the present situation. I understand that the more resourceful ones are communicating from foreign embassies. I believe they will have email again in a few days.