Kathmandu, Nepal
October 5, 2004 - October 8, 2004
&
October 17, 2004 - October 26, 2004
&
November 4, 2004 - December 3, 2004
&
January 6, 2005 - February 24, 2005
|
I love Kathmandu! I've tried to understand it, and hope
it's not just because I came from China, but I'm pretty sure it's a great place
regardless. Only time will tell.
Aside from seeing the sites I plan on doing some volunteer
work here as well. One of the things I am thinking about is
working for this orphanage. Danielle introduced it to me and
she, Ian, and I went to play with the kids. These kids are some
of the cutest kids I've ever seen. And whether it's because
they are orphans and need it more, or something else, they are so
loving to everybody. We are building a website in the hopes
to draw some interest from the West, and perhaps even a possible adoption
into a family.
See the website here
|
Video
Images
These guys looks great and might even be authentic, but they
seem to have traded in their religion for the lure of
tourist dollars. All they seem to do is find tourists and ask for money in
exchange for a tika or photograph. At a certain
point I started confronting them about selling out their religion for a few
rupees. I've only seen them in Kathmandu, and
Pokhara - tourists cities.
(photo by Andries)
Around Kathmandu
Durbar Square
Kathmandu has a living Goddess. Her name is Kumari, and
this is her house.
Like the Dali Lama, she is a real girl who is found every few years and replaces
the old Kumari. She can only be Kumari
while she is pre-pubescent, so that's why she only lasts a few years.
Right now there is a new 7 year old Kumari.
Cows are everywhere, but only used for milk, as the cow is
respected as a god in Hinduism
Freak Street was a popular place for the hippies during the
trans-Asian hippie trail era.
It was named by the hippies, because in Kathmandu streets didn't have
names. No longer
is it a cool thriving place, but a few modern day hippies are holding on...
"Tom & Jerry's at 8"
This is where you could find me on most nights; playing pool with potholed pool
balls on a bumpy table with my short cue.
Everest Beer in hand. Good times, good times.
Buying Toys for the orphanage with Julie
OR2K - "The" place to be
Maoist "tax" receipt
Thamel, the most tourist-friendly area, serves in some ways
as the
most developed part of Kathmandu... yet the streets look like this:
J-Bar - Truly a slice of home. Classiest place in Nepal!
Yak and Yeti Hotel feels like Disney's version of Nepal
Some Nepali guys crashed at a nightclub Julie and I were invited
to
Lifestyles of the rich: It was cold enough in the winter that
I justified
joining the Radisson gym (for the hot water showers)
Along with burning incense in buses, trucks, and taxis, this
psychedelic
blinking alter can be seen on the dash of most cabs. For good luck.
Kopan Monetary
Random unknown festivals and parties sometimes march through
the streets.
These guys were all alone, and no one knew what they were celebrating.
A wedding party walking through the streets near my orphanage
My Apartment
Some wine and cheese with OR2K waiter, Ganesh, and my roommate
Julia.
Hahaha. This is my room. I was subletting from
someone with 2 boys - hence the posters.
My landlord Mr. Dungle
Pachupattina
Chabahil Stupa
Boudinath Stupa
Monkey Temple
