Nepal was such a breath of fresh air! After India, we were thrilled to be somewhere 30 degrees cooler and it was still 80 out. We stayed right in the tourist part of town and enjoyed quite a bit of English and accessible laundry. Flying in, we got spectacular views of the Himalayas as they thrust up through the air—much taller than the surrounding clouds. There was plenty to see and do right in the city—even within walking distance of our place. There’s something magical about standing under those prayer flags as they flutter above you. I couldn’t get enough of the gorgeous views framed by red, green, blue and yellow supplications to deity. Most people had red powder on the center of their foreheads to demonstrate their devotion.
We decided to go on a white water rafting trip and thoroughly enjoyed a day outside the city. We wound our way through only the foothills of the Himalaya and couldn’t believe the heights. Hanging bridges span narrow canyon edges that people rely on as connections. I LOVED the rafting! Approaching the giant waves scares me every time—giving me a rush, but the boat handled it well every time. The views all along the river were stunning with waterfalls spilling down the tropical edges and hanging bridges draped overhead.
Afterwards we had the choice opportunity to take a public bus back to the city. A 3-hour journey that took 5 with the SAME song playing the entire time. I thought I was being brainwashed. Ha ha!
The next day we visited the large shrines called Buddhist stupas. Perched on a hilltop, huge golden spires jutted into the sky with strands of prayer flags reaching out in all directions. Walking beneath the prayer flags flapping energetically in the wind was a spiritual moment for me. Walking counterclockwise around the shrine, you run your hand along the spinning cylinders ornately decorated in prayers, passing beneath a canopy of flags. I felt connected and grounded during that moment, like a thirsty part of myself finally got a cool drink. Striding past a giant gong reaching two stories high, we walked into the courtyard where the Kumari appears at times. The Kumari is a living goddess–a young girl who houses the spirit of a god until puberty. We didn’t get to see her, but our curiosity was piqued nonetheless.
We enjoyed watching the monkeys walk tightrope style across the prayer flag strands and admired the rows of candles lit in front of the golden gods. One monastery we came to I was not permitted to enter with my knee length shorts on. The door guard was kind however and lent me a wraparound skirt so I could go up. Monks wrapped in deep orange robes strode about, calmly going about their tasks. No signs asked visitors to stay quiet, but the grounds compelled us to speak in subdued tones. A full view of the Kathmandu valley spread in front of us and we watched green parrots and emerald butterflies fly past.
Nepal was a great time. We enjoyed the views and had the chance to go to church too. The people treated us well and we were able to do a lot in a short period of time. I would like to return someday and do a big trek up into the Himalayas.
Walkabout 