Wednesday, October 1

Kathmandu, Nepal

(see map) mike: Nestled between China and India, Nepal is probably best known for being home to the Himalayan mountains. Eight of the world's ten tallest peaks are here including the big kahuna, Mount Everest. Inbound tourist itineraries (our include) likely have trekking as a top priority.

Nepal is our first destination mentioned on the US State Department's travel warnings site alongside places like Iraq and Somalia so we weren't exactly sure what to expect. Ongoing fighting had occurred between the government and Maoist (communist) supporters. In the past trekkers would definitely come across Maoist checkpoints where would be required to pay a fee that to support the insurgency. We selfishly found comfort in reading that as of August a Maoist prime minister was sworn into office and violence had dropped dramatically.

We landed in a powerless Kathmandu, Nepal's capital. The darkened streets radiated a medieval, eerie feel. Our taxi sped past low-ceilinged candle lit shops and apartments on our way to the hotel.  I have to admit I was a little nervous about what the next month would bring.

The highlight of my Kathmandu time was definitely our walking tour. What an experience! Lonely Planet sums it up perfectly, "intoxicating, amazing and exhausting." The narrow, often dirt, streets are pure mayhem and particularly busy (we think) due to the approaching Hindu holiday, Dasain (roughly equivalent to our Christmas).

Yes, this is a road.

Dentures appear to be big business here, this was one of many shops we passed.

Lunch. Our first momos, similar to dumplings, steamed or fried. Really good.

Next stop, Swayambhunath Stupa. Also referred to as Monkey Template due to the resident monkeys throughout. This was our first Stupa (Buddhist monument) and sighting of a common Nepalese symbol, Buddha's all seeing eyes.

Trin spinning the prayer wheels.

Where to go today Trin? How about Durbar Square...

Durbar Square contains the Royal Palace (unoccupied) along with a dozen or so temples. One has intricately carved Kama Sutra demonstrations which was commissioned by a King keen on encouraging fertility & population growth. During the upcoming Dasain festival, 108 goats, chickens and buffalo will be sacrificed here.

Insanely pink cotton candy.

Sacred cows seem to relish their privileged status. This was one of many we saw in the streets.

Flowers on sale for the festival.

Our splurge was the one hour Everest Mountain Flight which takes you eastward from Kathmandu airport along the Himalayan Mountain Range before circling back and heading home along the same path. Since we weren't taking time to check out eastern Nepal this would be our best bet to see Everest.

The grand finally! There she is (triangle in the back), perfectly clear.

After trying to leave town for over an hour, I had to redefine my westernized definition of traffic. Lines of buses all tried to leave town via the same road which is in dire need of a traffic light. A couple of overworked traffic cops tried valiantly to keep things progressing.

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