NAMASTE KATHMANDU

NAMASTE KATHMANDU

HELLO KATHMANDU

VIEW FROM OUR HOTEL WINDOW

THE DAY'S LAUNDRY!

      Waking up in Kathmandu....birds singing, dogs barking, voices ringing, motorcycle sounding in the distance and we have arrived after months of planning and dreaming.

     I open the curtains of our Norbu Linka Hotel and look out at  neighbors watering plants, sweeping patios, and talking as they get ready for another day.  Most of the buildings are three to four stories high, made of cement block or bricks covered with stucco.

     After a mighty breakfast of juice, milk coffee, scrambled eggs, muesli with yogurt and toast, we are off to explore.

     We quickly learned that Namaste, a traditional Hindu greeting for hello or good-bye with the hands brought together at chest or head level, as a sign of respect, was the most necessary word to use for many occasions.  And, we used it from morning to night.....a beautiful way to greet and enjoy others. 

     Walking out of the hotel, we lmost run into a deep empty concrete water tank that the locals use for bathing and washing clothes.  Even though there is only a slight drip of water, many locals come here for their daily cleansing activites.  

A FEW STEPS FROM HOTEL NORBU LINKA ENTRY

BATHING WHILE DOING THE LAUNDRY

     We are in the Thamel area of Kathmandu, which has been supplying backpackers since the 1960s with everything they might need.  I have read there are at least 2500 tourist-related shops in 5 square meters filled with hotels, bakeries, restaurants, trekking agencies and supplies,with shops of exquisite jewelry, imitation jewels, Tibetan vintage mandalas, pashmina shawls, hand-knitted winter ski hats, Nepal teas and spices, tiger balm, hand-made paper items, exquisite wood carvings, brass and bronze sculptures, and even chic dresses and t-shirts.  It does remind me of Bangkok's Khao San Rd. with unending variety and buying opportunities.  

JEWELRY EVERYWHERE
MUCH IS FROM TIBET

SIDEWALK TREASURES OF THE EAST!

     Walking down the very narrow pathways of our Thamel district is a challenge.   You have to be so careful to dodge the cars, honking motorcyles, water buffalo, cows, rickshaws, carts filled with supplies of various items, trucks, pedestrians carrying heavy sacks of rice recently harvested from their fields, and many visiting tourists.

      It felt so good to get off the main street and walk along the backstreets to find the hidden temples, shrines, and stupas overflowing with marigolds and colors, courtyards full of drying chillies and rice, and many hobbit-sized workshops of wood, painting, and brass.

     We learned that Nepal was just finishing the celebration of Dashain and was getting ready for Tihar, the two biggest Hindu events of the year. Many people were decorated with the Tika, a paste on their forehead to show their respect for the religious occasion.

     After a long walk in Thamel we found a fine lunch at Kilroys and then collapsed!

     

TIBETAN MASKS AND FABRICS

    

     The next day we walked from Thamel area to Durbar Square

PART OF THE DURBAR SQUARE COMPLEX

     Walking  tour from our Thamel to  with temples, stupas, stone  relief, statues studded the  walkway and  streets to the  Durbar Square, where the city's kings were once crowned and legitimised, and from where they ruled.  

     The square remains the traditional heart of the old town and Kathmandu's legacy of traditional architecture.  Today it is a living museum made up of a spectacular collection of statues and shrines pilgrim rest stations, fountains, and pavilions, both Hindu and Buddhist. Most  are  built  in  the pagoda style, embellished  with intricately carved  exteriors, built between the 12th and 18th Centuries.  Until the 20th Century the Durbar Square was the king's residence and place of worship until it was movednorth.  

            VIEWS OF OUR WALK TO DURBAR SQUARE

A RELIGIOUS CEREMONY BY THE TEMPLE

FESTIVAL HOLIDAY !

GREAT TRANSPORTATION!

SEWING IN THE SUN.

DURBAR SQUARE TEMPLE

NAMASTE GREETING

 HOLIDAY STREET SCENE 
LITTLE TRAFFIC ON THIS DAY 

DO YOU NEED A RIDE?

PALACE ENTRYWAY FOR THE KING

WATER BUFFALOS AND COWS ARE MOST INDEPENDENT

HOLIDAY COLORS AND ENERGY!

    Quite a  walk though the city battling  motorcycles, cars, trucks along the way.

    Returning home via taxi, we rested and then went out to eat  at Thamel House Restaurant,  a Newari restaurant with   multitude of floors and style, evening entertainment, and just great fun.....

    Walking in I happened  to catch a view of Jake Jundt out of the corner of my eye and guess what.....there was half of theYakima contingent....   a great dinner  at joyere bell,around the corner from our hotel, and   shared moments  with Japanese  and British neighbors upstairs in the eastern style setting.

   Another fabulous day in  Kathmandu and a sleep for the  next dsy in Bhaktapur with most of the  21 members if the Habitat House builder.