When I was working at Starbucks, I learned that one of the goals was to create a so called “third place”. A place besides home and your workplace where you can feel good. A place where you can relax and just enjoy your time. Now I finally understand what it’s all about. I found my personal third place.

When I’m returning from countries like Nepal (or Laos), I often use Bangkok airport as an intermediate stop. The second time I was there I finally found the Starbucks store at one end of the terminal, and I immediately felt at home. Even though I still have a 10 hour flight before me, this place takes all the stress and annoyances away from me, and it almost feels like being home again. Thank you Starbucks…

After a quick stop in Switzerland and Finland, I’m back in Nepal for over a month now. Not much changed since the last time I was here. Our Finnmap office is now located at an even bigger mansion, which is located a little bit further away from the airport. Luckily our project manager also moved the sauna, so that we can still enjoy our frequent sauna/beer evenings on the rooftop . Power cuts here in Kathmandu increased during the last months from 4hrs/day to incredible 14hrs/day! And when our water tank is empty from time to time, because the neighbours tap our water supply, then it get’s a little bit annoying here.

Work-wise we are slowly approaching the end of our project. Looking back, I have to say that we had more “challenges” than usual. In total we had problems with two of our laser systems, two times the camera gave me some headaches and in addition to that my company laptop and my private notebook broke down. Somehow it appears that there is a dark cloud hanging over the whole project, and I’m really happy that we have soon survived all this.

As I’m here with our new navigator, of course we went to do the usual sightseeing program: monkey temple, stupa and a few visits in Thamel: