Nepal: days 1-3

I regretted why I didn't take out travel insurance once the tax driver hit the streets of Kathmandu. The streets were inundated with pot holes, cars, people and the occasional cow. Yes, a cow. Over here, a cow is a sacred animal not a T-bone steak. I read somewhere that if you killed a cow it'll land you 15 years in prison - the same punishment as killing a person.

The condition of the streets made Iraqi streets seem as safe as ones found in sleepy Nebraska towns. The 20-minute ride to my hotel in a rickety Toyota van was the equivalent of a roller coaster ride that has failed multiple safety inspections. Cars sharply turned within inches of moving objects. There are no sidewalks and the roads can barely fit two cars side by side. The only way that cars avoid crashing into things is the excessive use of their horns.

When you're out walking, it's easily to get annoyed by passing cars blaring their horns as their side mirrors almost scathe you. To counter the dangerous roads and not to mention the filth and smog that covers the city, (note: Kathmandu is one of the dirtiest cities in the world) hotels are a bargain. You'll likely to spend $5 for a room with a bathroom.

As for the local food, I was addicted to "mo-mos," a dumpling filled with yak meat. You can get 10 dumplings for 30 rupees, or about 50 cents. However, when you eat the local food there are repercussions. It seemed whatever I ate or drank went through me in minutes. I recall at least 10 potty dances to the toilet in one day.

But with any trip to a third world country, mudbutt is inevitable. As for the nightlife, there are plenty of touristy bars with touristy prices. Perhaps, the best part of the city was Dunbar Square, a historic Hindu site filled with palaces and the like. Here, there are many photo opportunities.