Hey guys.
I just wanted to really give this place a solid plug.
I dropped off 14 rolls (after getting a test roll done a couple of days ago) of HP5 in 120 two days ago and picked them up today and simply had to stop by here tonight and say how awesome the experience was.
for $3.20 USD, I got each roll developed in D-70 with a proof sheet done too on Ilford RC. I have no idea how they do this, but back in NZ I'm not even sure I can buy the materials for this price I don't think, yet alone the labour.
When I went to pick them up, the owner was there to greet me, went through my negs to make sure they met his standards, and after asking him, happily showed me his darkroom. Wow. Hugh marble sinks that had been there since the business has opened back in '75, and while everything looked so well worn, you could tell that room had seen some magic too. He had 3 enlargers too, the biggest would handle 4x5, which is something worth noting for my next trip here!
He also showed me another room where he had a whole series of prints of Nepal, some made from glass plates dating back to the 40's and earlier.
The whole thing was just such an awesome experience in a city that's really quite poor by western standards. Even if you develop your own films, it's still worth getting some done at the Ganesh Photo Lab in Kathmandu if you're ever here. He too, seemed quite bummed about the fall off of business (something we all know too well).
Anyway, I said I'd keep this brief so I'd better call it quits now. I just hope I can sleep tonight after this touching experience.