My Geek Charming

Franklin Jones once said that "love doesn't make the world go round.  love is what makes the ride worthwhile"...

It feels as if my whole life this far has been nothing more than a journey preparing me for my real life for when it begins... yet when i think about the moment which defines the beginning of my real life i cant steer away from one thing... the four letter word which can make me feel joyful and miserable at the same time... L.O.V.E

I am not one who gets emotionally attached to anyone... yet i am a hopeless romantic... i am in love with the idea of being in love yet for the past 25 years that's all it seems to be... an idea

my idea of love is my irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired...  its finding that someone who will look at me without judging me at a time when the whole world is... someone who can give me reason to go on with my life at a time when i can no longer go on living... someone who can inspire me at a time when the canvas i call my life has been painted grey... someone who can give me peace at a time of war... someone who will define then redefine my idea of love

we are all in search of love whether we know it or not... for some reason we believe that by finding love we will find happiness... i will be the first to admit that i do believe in this... i do believe that the day i find love is the day that i will find happiness

turning my life upside down and moving to Dubai gave me hope again... new place... new people... a chance at finding love... yet here i am a year and a half later feeling extremely loveless

most women are constantly searching for their prince charming... but not me... i don't need a good looking man or a wealthy one... i need a wise man... a man who will have respect for me... but more importantly a man who will love me more than i will ever love him... i am looking for my Geek Charming

According to William Shakespeare, love is a smoke made with the fume of sighs. Being purged, a fire sparkling in lover's eyes. Being vexed, a sea nourished with lovers' tears. What is it else? A madness most discreet, a choking gall and a preserving sweet.  If that truly defines love then i am more than ready for it... for i have long had the fire burning within me... have been vexed in my journey to love and have shed many tears... and now here i am... ready for the sour and sweet madness they call L.O.V.E...

Nepal - Land of Culture

Namaste... a week ago... eid al fitr all of a sudden seemed to be just around the corner and after a month of fasting and hard work i knew i needed a break... and not just any break... i needed to get out of the UAE for a few days... so i booked my self on the first flight to Nepal the next day (with my colleague Farah)... random i know

Kathmandu (view from Monkey Temple)

Although the name may sound exotic... Nepal is anything but that

It is definately a third world country and that was evident from the second we landed where the airport looked like an old prison!!!... The taxi's looked like they dated back to the 18th century... There is no such thing as a paved road... and cows, dogs and monkeys roamed the street everywhere.

Despite all of this thought... Nepal was one of my best experiences to date. Our beautiful guest house more than made up for the prison-looking airport... the extremely friendly and kind taxi driver more than made up for the hunk of junk he was driving... the most amazing scenic views in the world more than made for the unpaved roads which made you feel like you were in a washing machine... and the random cows, dogs and monkey - well who can complain about that... they're sooo cute!!!!

We stayed at the Shechen Monestary Guest House which was a true haven for anyone whos after a relaxing holiday... the staff were extra friendly... the place is beautiful and very 'green'... there are monks randomly walking around everywhere... and the whole thing ended up costing me a total of $24USD for 4 days and 3 nights INCLUDING BREAKFAST!!!!!!....

It is however a little far from the city centre, the food in the cafeteria is terrible and the shower head.... well lets just say that you have to stand under it for an hour just so you can wash the shampoo out of your hair

Shechen Guest House

Shechen Monestary

The vacation was full of massages, facials, dinners, sightseeing, and attending festivals

An average massage cost $14USD... althought they start off at $28USD but you just have to bargain with them...

A massage, coffee body scrub and facial package cost $30USD...

A full lunch at a decent cafe cost $5USD...

And a nice dinner at one of the nicest restaurants in Kathmandu (Yin Yang Thai in Thamel was our choice) cost no more than $15USD

Out of all the sightseeing we did... Monkey Temple and the Patan Square were by far the best (better than Golden Temple and Pashipati Temple)... Monkey Temple is an absolute MUST SEE... it is located high up on a large hill/small mountain in Kathmandu... and after climbing hundreds of steps to get to the top where you're legs can no longer carry you... you realise that its all worth it as the view will truely take your breath away... oh and not to forget all the Monkeys running around everywhere... again!!!

Monkey Temple

Patan Square

Overall recommendation:

• 
  
  Stay in Thamel (an area in Kathmandu)... best area for tourists... Kathmandu Guest House in Thamel is a great option
• 
  
  Do not go clubbing in Kathmandu as its probably the most boring experience you'll endure in your whole life
• 
  
  Make the most of being in Nepal and its cheap prices and get as many massages and do as many treatments and meditation classes as you can... YOU CAN NEVER GET ENOUGH OF THIS!! 
• 
  
  First price is never the last price... what ever price a shop owner gives you offer him half... and if he can tell that you're a tourist then offer him even less than half... for example i bought a traditional Nepalese ornament - First price: 4000Rs... ended up getting it for 1500Rs after bargaining with him 
• 
  
  Take a torch with you everywhere you go as there is a power cut every night in Nepal between 8-10PM 
• 
  
  Agree on a taxi fare before you get in the taxi... again never accept the first price a taxi driver gives you 
• 
  
  Beware of the Henna ladies.... they are scary and will surround you and swamp you untill you agree to pay them to do Henna for you 
• 
  
  Take sneakers/sports shoes.... WARNING: ROADS ARE UNPAVED... oh wait... i said that already! 
• 
  
  The weather is amazing and very hot (even if its raining) so dont take too many winter clothes even if its gonna rain... we went in September 
• 
  
  Only drink bottled water... you'll understand what i mean when your hair smells like rusty pipes after you have a shower!

Well, i have come to the end of my Nepalese experience and i feel as if i've come out of it a changed person... overall great choice for a quick relaxing getaway... and the best part is that it was easy on the pockets... would do it again in a heart beat although next time it'll be more of a trecking/adventurous vacation to Nepal.... Mt. Everest get ready for me.