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First Impressions of Nepal: Power Outages, Icy Showers, and Travel Gratitude

My hotel room plunges into darkness as the backup generator outside rumbles to a stop. Still unfamiliar with this space after just one hour, I fumble for my laptop—my only light source besides the unlit candle across the room in the bathroom. I should have packed my headlamp. I'm clearly unprepared for Nepal.

I open my laptop to finish preparing for bed, careful not to wake my sleeping roommate.

First Impressions of Nepal: Power Outages, Icy Showers, and Travel Gratitude

My first hours in Nepal have been eventful. Fresh from the airport, my roommate insists on a shower now, as running water may be scarce by morning.

After 36+ hours traveling from San Diego, it should feel refreshing, right?

Wrong. Aching muscles protest as I step into the curtainless shower, hit by ice-cold water.

I barely stifle a scream on impact. No fussing with soaps—shampoo serves as body wash, face wash, and hair cleanser.

As I dry my shivering body, the flickering candle in the bathroom calms me. Nepal's residents endure this daily; my two weeks of outages and water shortages will pass.

First Impressions of Nepal: Power Outages, Icy Showers, and Travel Gratitude

Travel always sparks gratitude for home comforts. I'm thankful for tonight's bed after endless flights and layovers, and for the now-silent generator outside—I can't find my earplugs.

“Good night, Nepal. More surprises await.”

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