First Days in Nepal

After saying our goodbyes, Marta and I left Catalonia on our long trip back to Sydney, Australia. It was tough saying goodbye, as it always is – there are always two sides to the coin though. It is sad saying goodbye to family and friends, but on the other hand it is exciting and motivating to also be saying hello to all of the new opportunities that await.

Our first meal in Kathmandu - with tradtional 'Tongba' beer which is served hot like Sake.

Traditional puppets

The flight from Barcelona to Istanbul went without a hitch, apart from the ‘technical difficulties’ that the plane experienced before we took off. I don’t mind a 1 hour delay, as long as they get it right before we take off. I always imagine the worse, like fuel leaking, or the doors aren't closing properly, or maybe the instruments are playing up because the person in the next row is still buggering around with their iPhone. We did take off, fly, and land with no problems in the end – and that’s what counts!

A man selling pants.

Istanbul airport was far more chaotic than I remember it! There were masses of people everywhere, bright shop lights, people lugging around huge duty-free bags full of perfume, and surly airport staff. We got on our flight though and off we went. We were on an overnight flight, landing in Kathmandu at 7am. Unfortunately I didn't get a window seat – you know Im a little camera mad, and I love taking pictures out of the window of planes – especially if you are going to see the sunrise over the Himalayas. I was upset, tried to sneak to another seat, and was politely told ‘I want to see the sunrise too’ by the seat-owner, but it turned out that all you could see were clouds in the morning. Take that miss ‘this is my seat.’ How do you enjoy your mountain view now!´ 

3 days in Kathmandu later, things are great. We have eaten local food, seen some of the sites, meet some very friendly and open local people, and we haven’t had any toilet emergencies yet. Yet. We have eaten nothing but veggie food and stayed away from the tourist traps that advertise pizza, hamburgers and other Western food.

Holy Men in Kathmandu. They begged for money after this photo...

Sleeping in Kathmandu is another story! 3 nights in Kathmandu, and I have barely slept. Strange noises in the night, motorbikes and beeping horns to name a few. The first night, from about 10pm (until the early morning), I heard a noise that at first I thought was a monkey. Are there monkeys in the city I thought. I worked it out the next night when I heard it again - it was a cat on heat... the third night, it must have had some satisfaction, and I didn't hear it. Dogs are always barking on the streets at night, and rove in wild packs during the day. Pillows are rock hard and lumpy, and the beds are an inch of "matress" and then a solid plank of wood... but surprisingly comfortable! I am looking forward to a soft sofa though!!!

A monkey with a view.

On out last day in Kathmandu before we head off to Chitwan National Park and our homestay, we visited the Monkey Temple. It is on a hill above the city, and it provides probably the best view of Kathmandu you´re ever going to get. Yes, it is full of monkeys – monkeys playing, monkeys picking fleas off each other, and monkey hanging around waiting for food from the tourists – a rustle from a bag brings monkeys, and if you get too close, or are too slow with the treats, they will screech at you and show all their lovely sharp little teeth. I don’t like monkeys.

Monks in Kathmandu.

The Stupa at the ¨Monkey Temple.

A baby money at the temple.

Known as the Monkey Temple, it’s real name is Swayanbhunath. Both a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Nepal’s most sacred Buddhist temple, it truly is a wonder. According to legend, the Kathmandu valley was a lake, and this temple emerged from the lake. This legend has now been backed up by geological evidence (the part about the lake anyway). It’s a bit of a climb to see the Bodhnath Stupa, the large white dome that actually forms the temple, but it was well worth it. 

Like many tourist sites here, the Westerners have to pay steep prices compared to other tourist that look like they live here (and these lucky people can usually just wander in for free). So if you have a North Face jacket on and a camera slung around your neck, be prepared to get your purse out. We reached the top, just in time to see monkey feeding time, and the sunset. This place, although a $4 taxi ride away, it is definitely a ‘don’t miss’ site for Kathmandu. If, like us, think “oh, there are five of us, we need 2 taxis,” think again – we squeezed in there like a clown car! The car was tiny as well – some Sort of little Daihatsu hatchback. Great!

The Stupa at the top of the ´Monkey Temple.

That was only 3 days in Kathmandu, and now it is off south to Chitwan National Park. We are staying with a family, and will live with them for a month. We will also be teaching in local schools, and working with the community. This is going to be an amazing experience – really helping people, meeting and staying with local people and experiencing their day-to-day lives, and seeing part of the country you don’t get a chance to explore on the tourist trail.