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An Introduction to Kathmandu
Electricity cuts are part of daily life, and I have learnt very quickly not to expect the materialism of the UK already. Any typos in this blog are a victim of fast typing, a sticky keyboard and me trying to race against the clock before the next scheduled electricity cut (called “load dumping”).
Tourist Thamel has its own “Durbar” (meaning palace) Square and a visit there was totally amazing, though I am told that Patan and Bhaktapur Durbar Squares rival this one – these are the three Durbar Squares that form the three former Kingdoms of the Kathmandu Valley.
As a tourist, I knew to expect ‘hassle’ (I can’t think of a nicer term, but generally it is only locals wanting to sell you things, or for you to pay for a guided tour), with many selling tiger balm, a ride on their rickshaw, or wanting you to pay for a couple of minutes of some form of violin-playing. Needless to say, being rather pale and blonde, I stick out even further from the crowd, making me an even easier target! “London, Manchester, Liverpool??” Good job I live in London, though I think I would get more of a reaction if I was actually keen into football.
Just outside, the long walk up the steps to the Buddhist temple of Swayambhunath gave an incredible view of the Kathmandu valley. Had I not chosen to come during the peak of the monsoon(!), I am sure the view would have been even more breathtaking. Making sure to walk around the ‘stupas’ in a clockwise direction and not offend, I also had to watch out for the other inhabitants of this temple – it isn’t called Money Temple for nothing – they are absolutely everywhere, will attempt to steal anything that looks even remotely like food, and I have been warned to give up the fight straight away as they are rabied-ridden.
The “Garden of Dreams” was just that. A haven of tranquility amongst the chaos of the city. A very beautiful garden, but perhaps in this silence, company other than my Lonely Planet book (how apt) would have been welcome.
All the Nepali people are extremely polite. The “namaste” greeting, meaning hello, is following with meeting the palms of your hands at waist or head level – that is the extent of my Nepali so far, but I hope to learn more in the few weeks ahead.
My First Blog! (23 Jul 2010)
So, welcome to my blog. This is not just my first blog entry, but my first ever attempt at keeping the masses informed via the internet!
When I Google “first time blogging” the results weren’t entirely helpful. I’m supposed to let you all know what I’m going to blog about, how long I might blog for, and leave you waiting with bated breath for my next instalment. Well, for many of you the first task is easy, I’M FINALLY OFF TO NEPAL, but then most of you know that because I’ve been going on about if for several months now.
Next week I am Jet-Airways-ing it off to Nepal to commence my AfID (Accounting for International Development) placement with MSH (My Small Help). All partied out (thanks CHA cha cha) and ready for a break (phew!) I’m making the most of my CA and lending a supporting hand to a fantastic charity, MSH, in the Lalitpur area of Kathmandu, Nepal.As often as the electricity and WIFI will allow, I will update you all over my four week placement and hope to include lots of photo evidence along the way.
Apparently there’s this technical term called an RSS feed. Well, if there are any IT whizz kids around (not you, Mum) then apparently if you sign up to it, each time I blog you’ll be alerted (which I am sure you will be very excited about)!
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