Kathmandu

Another fabulous place.  I am staying right off Dubar Square, which is an old ancient castle grounds with the palace and many temples.  It is like a whole historic square.   Wonderful stores, street vendors and temples.  I went to the tourist office and found out tourists need a ticket to go into any of the temples.  It is only 1000 nrs ($7) and you can have it for as long as you desire.  I met a guide there, and he showed me around.  Beautiful palace and temples.  The king built Buddhist and Hindu temples so close together in hopes of drawing more people to the area.

Well, I can’t get a flight to Lumbini like I wanted.  Planes are booked because of the holiday Dashain and due to roads being close due to landslides.  So flights to lumbini are hard to get, but I got a ticket to Pokhara, which was also on my list.  It is a beautiful place near the Himalayas and a hiking place.  Flew in here and got 4 nights at a 4 star hotel very near the Lakeside area.  First day, I walked to Lake Phewa and cruised through all the street vendors and stores along the way.  Decided to have dinner at the hotel as it had good reviews.   I had a thali plate. 

It was as good as expected.  My tummy felt a little funny that night, and later that morning, I had a case of diarrhea.   So I canceled my tour for that day and slept most of the day.  Next day was a little better, so hired a driver and went to see the cave, the stupa, and the peace memorial.  Took a swing above the clouds and walked to the World Peace Memorial.  It was quite awesome there as it was peaceful and beautiful.  

The next day, I felt better and caught my flight back to Kathmandu.   Planes was delayed for about an hour, but I finally got on and made it back to Kathmandu.   This hotel was different, The Thrive, in the Thamel area.  This is a wonderful shopping district to a lot of sites.  Another 4 star hotel, so it is nice.  Has a spa, but no pool, jacuzzi, or hot tub.  The first day, I walked around and explored the area.  Love the shops.  Now I can buy a little more, because after my trek going to discard many of my heavy clothes items.  The next day, I walked to a Buddhist temple high on a hill.  Got a guide upon arrival.  He has a brother who lives in Homer Alaska, of all places, and is a fisherman.  He met his wife when he was a tour guide.  The wish of many of the local single guys here.  The temple was quite interesting with a phenomenal view of Kathmandu, if you like that sort of thing… at least there weren’t lots of skyscrapers.  Of course, he took me to a mandala shop where I ended up buying a beautiful painting.  They get me everytime… I said I wasn’t going to do this again, but the painting was quite awesome.  I could have bought the one painted by students for half the price. Of course, I opted for the one done by a professional.   I could tell the difference and figured I wanted to support the arts. 

The next day I explored around.  Went to the Art Museum and tried to go to another museum and shopping center, but all closed due to the holiday Dashain.  Dashain is a 15 day celebration where families get together, and the elders bless you.  Many are walking around with red rice pasted on their foreheads.  The bigger the glob means, they have a big family.  Many shops are closed. But I still managed to find many open and still bought some things!  I ate a Tibetan soup, due to a tender stomach.  Have to be in tip top shape for the hike in 2 days.  The soup is kinda like ramen, but with califlower,  peas, spinach, and carrots.  Eased my tummy.  Had a ginger mint tea, too.  That was yummy.

The Pashupatinath Temple was quite something as was cremation site next to it

I did a little shopping today.  Bought pants then went on my way to the art museum, which was great, but didn’t stay that long, so I set out to go to the Royal Palace.  When I got there it was closed for Dashain as was the shopping center next to it.  So I had coffee and started to head back.  Then I realized I didn’t have my water bottle.  Oh shoot… where did I leave it.  Stopped at the museum, and it wasn’t there.  Figured it was at the shop where I bought the pants.  Now, if only I can find that shop… they all look the same.  I set on my way and back tracked a little, but I found it!!  He had kept my bottle aside for me.  As a result I bought 3 blouses!  Then, set back towards the hotel.  Stopped at another shop to look at some more pants.  The lady there was nice.  We talked and I looked.  Her husband showed up, and he could talk even better English.  I ended up buying 4 pairs of short pants.  Went to the  hotel and met up with my trekking company.   He discussed a few things, and then I went for a walk.  Passed the store and sat down for a while to talk story.  They were really nice.  She is going to have a baby in 3 months.  They were kind of an arranged marriage, and it looks like it’s working out. He said they are older, so I think that’s why things are going well.  He runs the store and she works in a finance office. But will quit for a year to take care of the baby. 

They walk to and from work, about a 30 minute walk.  I told him I would stop by after my trek on Oct 30th when I return from my Mt Everest Base Camp trek.

So nervous… waiting for my ride.  Helicopter in 20 min!!!