Sometimes, I think that my impulsive nature makes others crazy. Actually, I have no doubt that it does. I directly attribute my fathers grey hair to some of my more rash decisions.  I also have no doubt that I am a bit off the wall at times, and realize that I do things without fully thinking them through, but I have never really been scared of consequences. I tend accept consequences when they do arise and move forward. Some people may think this sounds a bit risky, I just call it life.  Even so, in the cases where I do think things through their outcomes differ very little from those decisions that I make in an instant.  Case in point, my new restaurant. I wanted to create a restaurant in Kathmandu using a strange concept that has not really existed here previously. Good food that does not take 6 hours to prepare and does not make the consumer sick within hours of eating it. Ok, I am being a little cynical, I admit. There are some fine establishments in this city, but one also pays dearly for eating at them. They are expensive! Not U.S. prices, of course, but when one only makes the equivalent of $300 US per month, it is difficult to justify a $30 meal for 2. Unless it is your birthday of course.

No less, this new quest of mine was pretty thought out, especially by my standards. I knew the location I wanted to be in (Thamel), I knew I wanted it small, and I also knew the type of food I wanted to serve. So, I did a bit of research, and decided that this is not an intangible; I could very well make it a reality. Thank god I have made so many connections here; I also knew this was a fantastic asset, and thus far has proved to be invaluable.

Those here that I know with established restaurants, even small established places, tend to have better lives than those of us working stiffs that may or may not be paid by our bosses (things really do work differently here, I have often had to ask for my salary. My roommate had to wait 6 months for hers.) And I still wish to continue social work, but more on grass roots, non bureaucratic level. For example, I wish to take 5% of all profits and directly lend to women in the neighborhood. Also, there is a very intelligent girl I see almost daily, with no formal education, and Sanepa could be unstoppable if she were able to attain an education. I would be quite happy if my work could make that a reality.

Luck of all luck, I found a place quickly. Good location, and a lot of potential (read: I must work my a** off to make it look good inside), with inexpensive rent. I couldn’t be happier. That is, until I found out what it means to rent a space in Thamel.  Ahhhh…nothing is ever free in life, or simple, is it? The current owner of the restaurant there, Santi, said she would be happy to sub let me the space, as she no longer wants it, but first I must pay her $6,000 US. Huh? In a nation where the GDP per capita is only $340 USD per year, that sounded a little steep. So the negotiations began.

I explained to Santi that I did not want to keep the name Mustang Kitchen, nor did I think I would need any of her recipes, or maintain a restaurant that in any way resembled the Mustang Kitchen, so why must I pay her $6000?!?!?! She said she needed the money to move to Pokhara so she could be married to her boyfriend. Like this was a totally logical explanation and I would some how say, “Oh! Why didn’t you tell me?!? OF COURSE! Heck, why don’t I pay you $7000 and we will call the extra thousand a wedding gift!”

After I found the strength to close my mouth, as it pretty much fell to floor, although I found admire her frankness. And one hand of honesty deserves another.

I simply said, “No. I will be more than happy to purchase to equipment that you no longer have use for, such as the coolers and refrigerators and the tables, but that is it.”

Santi said “Ok, then we will not leave and I will not rent it to you.”

We had four more days of conversation like this. I even went to the landlord, who she rents from, and he replied, “When you have the space, you will choose who to rent it to and how much they will pay you for the privilege of the space, why shouldn’t she?”

Hmmmm…yet another new concept of business in an underdeveloped nation. Bribery for the privilege of renting a space. It makes sense in some ways, as real estate, especially prime real estate in Thamel is in short supply.

Finally, we struck a deal. I offered her half, and much to my surprise, she said, “O.K.” shook my hand, and got up to get the keys. No joke.

I still felt like I was spending more than I should, as the inside of the place is little better than a Taco Bell in the middle of the ghetto, but after speaking to various business people I know in Thamel, they were amazed I got by so cheap.  Cheap wasn’t really the word I would use to explain it, but it is done now.  And I am happy.

So now, I am reinventing myself again. Now, I am Jill, restaurant owner in Thamel. This is going to be so cool.