The strike

After 10 days on the mountain, I am pleased to be "off". Back on the main road, cold beverages are consumed and buses are searched for- the first 2 shop keepers maintain that there are no buses today. Cynically, I wait for the offer of a 'good' taxi, but the offers do not come.

Apparently, there is a strike today. No buses, no taxis, no transport. I stumble, feeling almost broken. We left this morning at 5am, so we could be back in Pokhara before lunchtime. Cynicism is growing as we realise our morning shortcuts have placed us in the smallest settlement along the road. Kadre is little more than a couple of sleepy shops and a dodgy hotel divided by a black tar strip- and without a way out, it looks like it will be our resting place for the night.

I stubbornly refuse to accept defeat, and begin a mission around the town to organise transport. I speak to some truck drivers who have parked on the road verge. No luck. I speak to some friendly, but rather drunk, Nepali guys who kindly offer to drive us to Pokhara for 2500 rupees. I bargain for a bit, but I can't get the price below 2000- way too much, considering the bus costs 60. So no luck there either.

We take some lunch, and our host suggests walking. I am seriously considering it, but Steph flat out refuses. I don't blame her really, its hot and 30 kms is a long way. However, the choice may not be ours. Strike history in recent months has seen some strikes last over 2 weeks- so walking may be our only option. Desperately, I try to purchase a bicycle from a confused and unwilling Nepali teenager- he rides away and begrudgingly, we retreat to the best of the dodgy hotels to recharge for the next day.

In the late afternoon, Steph takes a stroll and returns with good news. Our trekking compadre Ferry is outside with a taxi booking and spare seats! Astonished, we quickly pack our belongings and within an hour we are back in Pohkara. And with the agony and ecstasy of the trek still fresh in our minds, the food at our favourite Pokharan restaurant tastes divine.