NEPAL 032412 An Amazing Saturday in Kathmandu

Hello Dear Ones

Today (Sunday 0325 here) we fly to the Terai, the lowest elevation region of Nepal, to visit the Chitwan National Park where we will look for wild game from the backs of elephants instead of from Land Rovers.

Yesterday Karma suggested that we go to central Kathmandu to Durbar (Palace) Square and then walk to the other big stupa in the area, Swayambhunath.  We began and ended this exploration with thrilling taxi rides from and to our neighborhood, Boudha.  The taxi left us off to walk into the pedestrian area of downtown, and on the way we met a parade featuring this formidable dancing figure.

Durbar Square is a spectacular center of traditional 17th & 18th century Newari architecture including the former Royal Palace and many important temples and religious sites.  The temple shown below is typical of the fabulous Newari wooden building style that became to model for pagodas throughout Asia.

The picture below shows the vendors who prepare the marigold garlands that are among the offerings made to statues of Hindu deities and manifestations of buddha.  The human population of Durbar Square and the nearby markets of downtown are no less colorful.  :-)

Wandering the streets of old kathmandu, we came up on many statues such as this one of Ganesh, whre people had made their daily offering, marking him with a bit of yellow or red pigment. When the offering is complete, Ganesh's devotee rings the bell on the left.

 We also happened by a small square in which there were at two elaborate puja ceremonies in progress.  We did not interrupt to ask for an xplanation, though we woudl have loved to have had one.

The Swayambhunath Stupa is smaller than our neighborhood stupa, in Boudnath, and is located on a hill (puff, puff), and is surrounded by smaller stupas and temples, plentiful gift shops, a museum, and an area for the celebration of Hindu offerings. 

The atmosphere is not too tranquil or meditative, but rather vibrant and busy,  as you might guess. :-) The air pollution here in the Kathmandu Valley is very dense and, sadly, hides any hills and mountains that might be seen from "Swayambu."

We have been eating a lot of rice and stir fry, and in this tourist area there are restaurants that cater to Western tourists who like pizza :-).  That would be us.

I'm not sure if there will be WiFi in our hotel in the Chitwan Park, but we will return to Boudha on March 30 or 31 and I'll send you a note then if not before.

Love and hugs,   Marian and Dick