Everest '07 - Team Diary

15th September 2007 - Think Globally, Help Locally

Another early start today with the team visiting Nepal's Scouting and Girlguiding Headquarters, to help open their 'Clean the World' day under the banner of 'Think Globally, Help Locally'. We took the balloon which provided much excitement amongst the assembled 500 Guides and Scouts.

There were several opening speeches from the Chief Commissioner of Nepal Scouts, the Australian Ambassador, a Government Official and then Cathy was asked to say a few words on behalf of Girlguiding UK. She took the opportunity to thank everyone for their welcome and extend our best wishes for their environmental project.

We kept the balloon inflated for over an hour whilst the VIP's judged an artwork competition and the many members of the local Press took images and reports for the media. The balloon provided a very welcome backdrop and was attracting large numbers of people, monks, holy men and schoolchildren off the streets. Work on building sites all around the area stopped while the workers climbed to vantage points to see what was going on. We were also in direct line of sight from the adjoining Royal Palace, so, maybe royalty sneaked a view from the morning balcolny!

The Scouts trooped off to tidy the streets and take their environmental campaign to the business district, so we thought we had packed away the balloon for the last time in this visit.

But the balloon and our project certainly caught people's attention. The Minister for Tourism and Media saw it and a Press Call was arranged for later in the day, with Nepal's media descending upon our hotel to talk to the team.

We did interviews with Nepal TV, the tourism ministry and national newspapers. It's all rounded off our week with a touch of celebrity and a bonus profile for our sponsors!

So, a final Team Meal, then off to bed tired again. Tomorrow, we rise at 4am to head back along the familiar route to Kathmandu Airport - and the long flight home.