A Day in Kathmandu

A day in Kathmandu:

We started at 0530 and our bus transported us to an area near the old section of Kathmandu. From here we strolled the streets and alleyways taking in the sights, sounds and smells of Kathmandu coming to life. We did stop at a local vendor who was making Nepali Doughnuts. These were made with a rice flour and freshly fried. They had a really nice grainy texture and were hot and fresh. A pinch of honey would have put them over the top. Look out Krispy Kreem. 

The Great Boudhanath Stupa one of the largest in Nepal

The base of the stupa has 108 small depictions of the Dhyani Buddha Amitabha.  It is surrounded with a brick wall with 147 niches, each with four or five prayer wheels,  engraved with the mantra, om mani padme hum.  At the northern entrance where visitors must pass is a shrine dedicated to Ajima, the goddess of Smallpox . Every year the stupa attracts many Tibetan Buddhist pilgrims who perform full body prostrations in the inner lower enclosure, walk around the stupa with prayer wheels, chant, and pray. Thousands of prayer flags are hoisted up from the top of the stupa downwards and dot the perimeter of the complex. The influx of many Tibetan refugees from China has seen the construction of over 50 Tibetan monasteries around Boudhanath. While the Stupa was damaged, the reconstruction work is in full progress.

Next we went to Swayambhu. Swayambhu is a Buddhist stupa atop a hillock at the northwestern part of the city. This is among the oldest religious sites in Nepal . Although the site is considered Buddhist, it is revered by both Buddhists and Hindus, as there is also a Hindu shrine on the site. The stupa consists of a dome at the base; above the dome, there is a cubic structure with the eyes of Buddha, looking in all four directions. There are pentagonal Toran  above each of the four sides, with statues engraved on them. Behind and above the torana there are thirteen tiers. Locally it is also known as monkey hill. 

Next we went to the Garden of Dreams for our lunch. What an oasis in the midst of hectic Kathmandu. 

After our lunch, we headed to a shopping district where Yam directed me to a shop which sold quality Khukuri knifes. With his help I was able to purchase a functional, working Khukuri.  We then walked back to the hotel and these walking journeys are easier now we know how to cross busy streets. This is simply done by looking for a break in the traffic, enter the crosswalk with your hands held out making a stop sign and walking at a normal pace across the road. One must never run, just walk. 

Back at the Yak and Yeti we started to get our bags together for the journey home. We then also walked about the hotel gardens and came in for a juice in the lounge. Lynn had watermelon and I had mango. 

As we had $1,500 Nepali Rupees burning a hole in our pocket we ventured out into the heat, not knowing if we were mad dogs or Englishmen, to a shop near the hotel where we picked up a small carved elephant and a brass Ganesha. Ganesha is widely revered as the remover of obstacles, the patron of arts and sciences and the deva of intellect and wisdom. 

We are back in the room packing and getting ready for a farewell banquet in one of the palace banquet halls. 

More final thoughts as we travel home tomorrow. 

Cows win 

The spice smells and fresh produce was great 

Lookout Krispy Kream these are really good.

Glad not to be an electrician here. 

Cyndy and Al does he look familiar? (this is for my sister and BIL) 

Kathmandu is a rather large city

Garden of Dreams for Lunch. 

Our Hotel and it's Gardens