Drum Roll, Please

In driver's ed they teach you some crazy nonword acronym that's suppose to keep you alert to all aspects of you vehicular surroundings. I don't remember the actual letters but the principles of the concept are in full effect the second you step out of your hotel here. Most places in America would make you sign a waiver to participate in activities that are on par with the challenge of simply walking down the street here. I've been clipped by no less than a dozen motorcycle mirrors and one pack animal.

To make matters even more exciting, today's traffic was supplemented with parade vehicles packed to the hilt with revelers. Most say it is for the New Year's festival but we all know it's my birthday...so thanks Nepal for the party and making me crap my pants each time I take a stroll.

On a related sidenote, people here love their fireworks. It's fun to see little kids running around lighting firecrackers until you realize they aren't your standard Black Cats but full-on 1/4 sticks of dynamite that can blow a hole the size of a cantalope in most building materials.