Kathmandu: (Christina Berry is a 25 year old adventure enthusiast from England. She is stuck in Nepal. She narrates her experience. Read in her own words)
"It was a pleasant morning. I was planning to travel up to Everest's base camp at Namchee Bazaar from Kathmandu. I had booked a Pajero vehicle and was busy discussing the logistics and haggling over the rent. I was sitting at my hotel lobby very close to the Darara tower.
Suddenly the chairs started shaking. Somebody cried 'earthquake, earthquake'. I tightly held the table to balance my body. Both the chair and table overturned and I fell on the floor. The weak wall of the reception area of my hotel had caved in. Some bricks also fell on my feet. Fortunately I was wearing very heavy boots and did not suffer any injury.
In a few seconds I rushed out with my bag. What I saw outside was terrible. Thousands of people were jumping out of their windows, balconies and rooftops. There was panic everywhere. Tall buildings were swaying like lean trees.
Many vehicles overturned causing more trouble. A mini bus lost control and hit a building on the narrow lanes of old Kathmandu. There was complete chaos everywhere.
Somebody told me to run towards an open field close by. An European tourist told me that a historic tower nearby had collapsed and hundreds have been buried under the debris. He was just outside the tower clicking pictures. The impact of the collapse was so powerful that his camera was thrown away.
Within a few minutes thousands of locals and tourists had gathered at that open field.
When we were about to go back to hotel room to collect our baggage, one more earthquake jolted us.
I thought we were going to die. I literally started crying. I lay like dead on the ground for several minutes.
When I got up and opened my eyes, entire Kathmandu was enveloped in a thick layers of dust. It was looking like nuke bomb hit city. I had seen such things only in Hollywood movies.
People were crying, running, cursing and also attending to the injured. A Hindu holy man came up to me and asked me if I needed any help. I thanked him and replied that I want to get out of Kathmandu immediately.
He said that it was not so easy as everything has come to a halt. He even told me in broken in English that the earthquake occurs when the gods get angry.
I managed to reach my hotel back. It had developed several cracks and was looking horrible.
I rushed to my first floor room, gathered my stuff, came out and stated walking towards the airport.
On my way, a taxi driver gave me a drop. But, the airport was closed and there were thousands of tourists and passengers stranded.
After waiting for an hour at airport, I came back to the city.
Situation was quiet bad. After an hour of aimless walk, I met a fellow British tourist Alexandra. She offered me a bed in her room at a single storey hotel.
There was no power, no water and not even food. Most shops were closed. We ate my packed food meant for Everest base camp.
In the afternoon I heard that India is sending relief and rescue teams.
Last night was really a nightmare. The entire city was under darkness. There was not a single light anywhere. The power supply had been cut off. Our caring hotel manager gave us some food and some candles too.
Me and Alexandra were so scared. We slept in the open verandah of the hotel fearing more quakes in the night.
Now after almost 24 hours, I can see life is slowly returning to normal in Kathmandu. Rescue and relief works happening. But the people are so scared. My hotel manager told me that tourism would be hit hard due to fear. He is looking dull and sad.
We also got calls from our embassy to know if we are safe.
I am still scared. Will stay back in Kathmandu for two more days. After that I will go to India.
I will come back to Nepal again next year.
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