Days 2, 3, what...?

This all began with the roughest plane landing of my life. It was 1:30 AM, this was our second of three flights. We had just landed in Delhi. Walking down the jetway, I spotted a man holding a sign. Years ago, while traveling in Argentina, my bus driver stood waiting for me with a sign. Ever since then, I look at the signs people hold. I don't know why, just do. This time, I spotted our names. Kevin asked if I thought it was a good or bad thing.
"Probably bad," was my answer because we had just, 7.5 hrs ago, been harangued at Chinese customs...and now somehow, 2 out of the 3 blonde passengers had been pulled aside. No coincidences. Figured the pat downs and angry stamping was about to continue. Turned out the airline was just looking out for us.
Hours later, after eating food I didn't mean to order...yes that is right, Indian men not only like to barter, they also like to talk you out of ordering food if they don't want to make it...we boarded a plane and were whisked away to Kathmandu.
Kathmandu -
We arrived just after 9 AM. One hour down and we had been given visas, exchanged money, and got to skip customs/security because a few guys wanted to make a little extra money. They ushered us and our bags past airport workers and x-ray machines for a mere $1.50. Amazing that no one cared or even noticed aside from us.
The city initially reminded me of Puerto Vallarta. Cars driving every which way; roads mostly paved but without markings to guide traffic. Kevin was slightly shocked at all the happenings. Cars, bus, motobikes, rickshaw and foot traffic all trying to avoid each other. Zig-zagging through the city in a bus was enough to be relieved when arriving at Kathmandu Guest House. This place is a little oasis in the middle of the busiest city I have ever visited.
The array of colors, sounds, and smells were almost too much to handle at first. We had set out of KGH on foot to take care of necessities. Finding the proper locations was tricky at best. The city is an intricate maze of winding streets and alley ways...with no locals to give you good directions, this makes for interesting times. Kevin needed a bandana and puffy coat, I needed a hat, we both needed several permits for the upcoming weeks. At first we were cautious, but after a few stops Kevin and I found our way out of Thamel - tourist central - and were on the streets on downtown Kathmandu. Earlier, Kevin had claimed that he was not an adrenaline junkie (a comment that followed me mentioning bungee jumping near Tibet). I would now like to argue that statement because we played frogger in and out of traffic for the rest of the day. If that doesn't get your blood pumping, I don't know what will. Did I mention there aren't any working traffic lights here? Yeah, you cross at your own risk, and when you go, you better be committed to it.