Arriving in Kathmandu

We arrived in Kathmandu a day later than expected as our flight from Salt Lake City to Chicago was delayed three and one-half hours due to weather.  Arriving in Chicago, we found that the only flight Etihad Airways has to Abu Dhabi had departed.  So, we stayed the night near the airport and tried again on Tuesday. At the ticket counter, we found that Etihad had recently restricted the size and weight of carry-on luggage, so we had to check our two carry-on bags. We arrived in Kathmandu with not one of our six suitcases in hand.  Imagine our relief as each of the six came into view!   Exiting the airport, we found Elder and Sister Oliphant, the other senior missionary couple assigned to Nepal, waiting for us.   It is a tradition in Nepal to welcome newcomers by placing a silk scarf around their necks....kind of like the leis in Hawaii.  Here we are with our beautiful scarves standing in front of one of the two tiny taxis it took to transport the four of us and our six suitcases to our apartment not far from the airport.  By the time we finally crawled into bed, we had been up 28 hours!