I’m really bummed to be leaving Istanbul, but I’m also really excited for Nepal. I know that staying here wouldn’t be the right thing to do. I don’t really like my living situation that much and I have no way of supporting myself. Plus, the city is expensive and I’m finding myself spending a lot of money right now. It’s good all around that I’m leaving and I know that, but it doesn’t make it any easier. At least I’ve got something cool to look forward too. Nepal is going to be a really great adventure. I did some research today and found a place in Pokhara I could stay for a while. It looks beautiful and away from the hustle and bustle of the city. I just want some place with a beautiful view where I can recharge and spend some time drawing, meditating and staring at the beautiful mountains. Kind of like my time in Pia in Thailand, but much longer and drawn out.

My plan for Nepal, which really excites me, is to fly to Kathmandu next Monday and then spend the next couple days before the start of my meditation retreat relaxing and doing some sightseeing. After the 10 day retreat I’m going to spend a day or two in Kathmandu to get my bearings, and then head to Pokhara. From there I’m not really sure what I’ll do, but I’m thinking about spending a good chunk of time relaxing in Pokhara. I’d really like to be somewhere beautiful where I can meditate, read, draw, stare at the mountains and eat delicious food. I hope to find that in Pokhara. Ideally some place away from the chaos in the city. From there I could plan a long or short trek and then even do another meditation program in September. There is another 10 day retreat that’s at a different monastery I’d like to check out as well. Wow, it’s going to be so amazing! If I like the first retreat I can probably do another one there as well. I have a lot of options, anyway.

I didn’t have to super productive day, but it was somewhat productive and for that I’m grateful. I worked on an application I’ve been meaning to get started. I got quite a bit of it done, too. My goal is to finish and submit it before I leave for Nepal. The application process can take 9 months to a year and I’d really like to get the ball rolling on things. I also spent some time trying to figure out what I’m going to take with me, what I’ll leave here and what I’m going to send home. I think I’ll send a few things home. I should really try to do that on Friday. My flight isn’t until the evening on Monday, but I’m not going to be happy if Monday is spent stressfully running around the city trying to figure out a place I can mail some belongs home. It’s also possible it’ll be really expensive to send things to the States in which case I’ll maybe decide to travel with more stuff or leave it here. I’d prefer to find that out sooner rather than later.

I met a guy tonight for dinner that I met when I first got here. He’s really nice, but physically he’s not really my type. Otherwise I’d definitely sleep with him. I’ve avoided hanging out with him because he always wants to meet at his place. I’d love to hang out and relax with him there if it didn’t turn into him wanting to have sex and me not wanting to. We got dinner and then went to a coffee place tonight and I enjoyed the conversation and spending time with him. He’s a super nice guy.

Ok, time to go to bed. I’m meeting Yv tomorrow and we are going to Prince’s Islands. I’m really excited about the adventure. We get to take the ferry for a super long time and wander around a beautiful island. What could be better? I always have a great time with Yv, too. I’m really looking forward to it.