Again we woke early this morning with the prospect of flying out of Lukla, to Kathmandu, and then eventually out of Nepal. We packed our bags and waited, and waited, and waited. A few hours later, at 730, we were informed all flights were cancelled today. We weren't sure what to do. The weather forecasted clear(ish) skies today with rain and snow the next four in a row, which meant if we didn't get out to Kathmandu today, who knows how long it could be!

Last night, the owner of the hotel we were staying at promised he would book flights for us, as a thank you for me assisting yesterday.

All of a sudden, sound 9-10am we heard planes! After dozens of choppers coming and going rescuing people from higher up the mountain, we heard the louder rumble and two planes appeared It was like a riot going on--tourists sprinting to the airport. Having not yet received our tickets I asked the owner's wife where he was. She said to go find him at the airport. We walked over there and I couldn't find him. The tiny airport was packed. People pushing each other, trying to get in front. There was an air of desperation, people who have been stuck here for days yelling out, and shoving about.

I lost it. I had a total girl moment, crying and everything, and it was supremely embarrassing. And I don't know why. Or maybe I do. The intensity and magnitude of yesterday and the two days before hadn't really been felt yet. My friends who work in a similar field will understand--you just have to shut off emotions sometimes. And if you don't talk about it or deal with it later, it comes out, intensely sometimes. I tried to be rational--if we didn't get to Kathmandu today, so what? We were safe, we had no place to be, so why not relax? I knew all this but couldn't hold the tears back. I told Damian I couldn't be at the airport because it was making me too upset, and suggested we go back to the hotel because surely the owner would come back. I cried the whole way back, wishing I could stop it, but unable to. Omg it was embarrassing.

But maybe it helped because I think the wife, who saw my tears, called her husband, because a few minutes later he showed up with our tickets.

Five hours later we were on the heinous flight back to Kathmandu.

As we touched down into the city I saw signs of the devastation that occurred. Buildings destroyed and fields littered with the colourful confetti of tents. Most of the city have been sleeping outside since the day of the first tremor.

The airport was FULL of military planes unloading supplies and rescue helicopters unloading injured. It was a madhouse. We saw a child only a few years old being unloaded off a helicopter and into an ambulance. The devastation is apparent.

Before we left, we stored our extraneous belongings at the hotel, Kathmandu Guest House, so we asked a taxi driver to take us there. When we arrived the security guard initially wouldn't let us in and adamantly stated there were no rooms. Reluctantly he opened the gate when we produced our baggage tags. After being let in we walked to the desk and asked for a room. For about 5-10 minutes the manager said there were rooms but no water and no electricity. We begged and he denied. This is when the tears would have come in handy! If only I could turn them in at will, instead of the worst possible moments!

After Damo repeatedly stated we only needed a bed, they relented and said we could stay. They are providing drinking water and basic meals. We are grateful.

After dropping our bags, we ignored all the signs politely requesting we not shower, and each had about a two minute cold shower. I mean it has been about a week. This was for the good of everyone.

After that we walked around Thamel. It felt like the apocalypse. This touristy area, chockers full of shops and eateries, were all closed. The streets usually bustling with cars and rickshaws, dust filling the air and horns penetrating our ears, was eerily silent. After about ten to fifteen minutes of walking we found a restaurant open. They had gnocchi, and tofu kebabs, and that was about it. It was surprisingly delicious and we were grateful to find anywhere!

When we arrived back to the hotel there were some lights on! And we noticed they had a wifi signal!! You have no idea how happy it made us.

We quickly tried to organise some flights out of Nepal. We need to get out. As I lay in bed and write this, another tremor just occurred. Albeit small, it scares me and I want out.

We've decided to go to India and are going to try to fly to Dharamsala, a hippy town where no earthquakes occurred and we can do some yoga! I could use some zen time after all the disruption to my chi, the earthquakes have caused!

Unfortunately all flights tomorrow are full. Wednesday has a few but are $2000 each while Thursday's exact same flight is only $300 each. So let's pray for no major aftershocks. Little ones are unwelcome but tolerable. Not sure how we will pass the time for three days with the town shut down, but I'm sure we will manage.

Till then.