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Arrived in Nepal after a very long night in the Delhi airport which had no wifi unless you have a local number. The volunteer organization picked us up, our names were on a sign and everything. They took us to a hotel and because it was a holiday, Shree Krishna Janmashtami, just told us we have the whole day to do whatever we wanted and rest.
I am not sure how to describe Nepal, I expected a lot of different things but did not get my expectations. I heard that there was garbage everywhere, which there is. It is all along the streets and in some areas just huge piles of it. There are many street dogs which you will see digging through the trash for food. There are cows doing the same and on cold nights they will sleep in the garbage to keep warm. I did not expect Kathmandu to be as huge as it is. The houses in some areas are stacked up right beside each other. Some of them are falling apart and look as if they have survived a war or two. The traffic is insane, all you hear is constant honking and if you are going to cross the street you will almost never get a chance. You just have to go and trust that they will stop for you, or keep going back and forward like a good game of frogger.
We went for a walk around it was nice we do stick out and obviously are foreigners so we get looked at but not the same way as in Taiwan. In Taiwan it seemed like people would just stare, no eye contact just look you up and down and stare. Here they will look and make eye contact and keep it in a very friendly manner. Lots of the people speak a bit of english and will say hello and ask you where you are from.
We went up to Buddha Park, Amitava Buddha then walked around Swayambhunath Stupa. These all had monkeys everywhere, just roaming around, stealing any food or jucebox's they could get. They would walk right up beside you and in most cases just ignore you. I was soo excited to see monkeys I walked up to one, maintaining a good distance and began to take a photo. The monkey turned on me snarled then ran towards me, jumping up on a bench then flying towards me trying to grab me. I ran away. Tash and Michelle laughed there asses off, of course, and Michelle said she knew that would happen. I questioned why she didn't warn me and she said it wouldn't of mattered I still would of done it. She is probably right. They're soo cute and some had little ones.
The Swayambhunath complex was mind blowing beautiful. We had a perfect clear day out with a few clouds rolling in later to add some depth to the photos. This is one of the most sacred Buddhist Pilgrimage sites next only to Boudhanath which hopefully we will see soon. One guy selling some hand carved bone elephants and buddha's (which we all bought something from) came up and looked around with us. He talked about the area and the religion and showed us what we needed to see and taught us about it. He also left us with his phone number and e-mail in case we needed anything at all. He took us to another vender with numerous sizes of singing bowls. They showed us how they work and are used for sound therapy. It was neat, it started with a bowl on our heads that they tap and you listen to the sound and feel the vibrations. He does the same thing while moving the bowl around your body. When it is placed close to the chest it feels really good. Then we sat with one on our head, in our lap and on each arm. You felt so relaxed and free after this, it was really interesting. We bartered for a cab to go back to the hotel for food and some rest to kill some jet lag.
Next stop teaching in the monastary.
- comments
James Paget BRITTANYYYYYY did you say singing bowls omg im so jealous!!! one day im gonna get me a set =) ahhh yea!!! sounds like you girls are having a most wonderful adventure! miss you lots, your never far from my thoughts. James
John Cowan Brit Brit, yeah those singing bowls, whoa, soooo gnarly!! you got to literally FEEL DA RHYTHM!! that's beyond all boom :) i know that was just one vender in the complex but i'm sure you took a lot from that experience! can't wait to see pics of these magnificent expeditions you girls experience yay!! hear from ya soon though, take care out there. John John
The Bonhomme Hey Brit, I just wanted to tell you a couple of things about the ATA elections ... HA HA - kidding! Sounds like an intriguing trip so far ... somehow doesn't surprise me you were attacked by monkeys :) ... rest up, stay safe and write again soon. Good stuff!!
Archie Wow! Piles of garbage with cows sleeping in them?! At least the holy sites are nice... Have fun teaching and learning! Those poor monks will never be the same again... ^_^
Mike Awesome post, Brittany! Have fun, stay safe, and keep us up to date on your adventure!