In Nepal, as a tourist, you can drive a scooter anywhere. I feel most sad about leaving my home in the U.S. when I have to keep my keys in the jar at the front desk. So, when I got my keys and helmet there was no stopping me. Cozy Nepal set up the arrangement for the scooter and they delivered one directly to the hotel. I didn’t have to negotiate or haggle like everything else. It was a flat rate and since I booked my room through AirBnB they had my passport information already.

Since they only had one scooter through that service, we had to rent another scooter through B.S. Bikes in Thamel , Kathmandu. Again, Cozy Nepal sealed the deal by getting the price and everything arranged for us. We went to pick up the scooter and my friend being an Indian didn’t think that he needed his passport. Thankfully, I had mine with me. Previously, in Sri Lanka, it was standard to leave your passport with the scooter owners and then get it back when you return it. Without hesitating, I left my passport with them and we were soon on the road.

Driving a scooter is an amazing feeling especially in a foreign city. You are seeing things that wouldn’t ordinarily see in a car or van and the breeze feels amazing. I didn’t pack sunscreen so the tops of my hands are a little sunburned but nothing like the sunburn I had in Sri Lanka. We drove around Kathmandu. We zoomed through the old markets of Patan Durbar Square and Kathmandu proper Durbar Square. I was able to stop and take pictures as I wanted to without asking permission to stop. It’s these little things that give you freedom.

After a full day on the scooters, we were hesitant about where to park our bikes as the rental place warned that the bikes are fine during the day but are at risk during the night. Since my passport was tied to one of the bikes, I was scared to leave the bikes anywhere. Luckily, the owner of Cozy Nepal was loading his bike up and instructed us to park our bikes inside the courtyard where we were staying. Another high five to Cozy Nepal because they are freaking rock stars.

I am not used to an AirBnB being so accommodating. Usually, I never even meet the owner. Cozy Nepal has an entire staff with housekeeping. The owner is an architect that built the property after the 2015 earthquake that shattered much of the historical areas of Kathmandu. The staff has even offered to do our laundry. While this is just the beginning of this trip, I am already blown away by the hospitality that they have given and the lack of obstacles that we have had regarding our stay. Thank you, Cozy Nepal.