Today has been a very busy day testing my camera out. I arranged a taxi to take me to some of the main sights around Kathmandu.

This place is called Pashupatinath, it’s a very sacred Hindu site where many flock to as part of their pilgrimage. I found the public funerals very surreal and watched as one body was bathed in the waters.

As usual many locals approached me wanting to be my guide but I stuck to my guns and just used my ‘rough guide’ book to help me. This was however, my first sighting of some sacred cows.

Next I visited Patan Durbar square, this time I did arrange a guide. To be honest I’m glad I did. It is really interesting hearing from a local and feel as if you make a little more of the where you are.

This place was filled with lots of temples, more interesting I found was the closeness of both Hindu & Buddhist places of worship. For example, next month there is a big hindu festival in Nepal and 30 animals will be slaughtered in the main square of the old palace. Right next to that is a Buddhist Stupa, whose belief is not to harm another soul albeit human or other. Fascinating that the two sit side by side without troubles of any kind.

Patan is a lovely place. Less hectic than Kathmandu yet just as many beauties to be seen.

Lastly I visited Swayambhu (the monkey temple). But don’t worry, no monkeys were hung today 😉

This place just sits above Kathmandu city and you can see the whole valley from the top. The main Stupa seemed very magical to me and Buddhist do practice there which I found, well, enlightening!

It’s like a small village around the temple with monkeys littering the streets (hence the name), the usual tourist stalls with various nic nacs and paintings. Thankfully I haven’t been drawn in yet. Money is very easy to spend here. Everything costs. Not much, but I always feel as if I have my hand in my wallet.

I’m looking to join a course or two over the next few days. This should enable me to meet some people and learn more about this travelling malarky.

Much Love,
C.xx

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