Kathmandu Favorites

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Favorite thing: CIWEC clinic is used by most foreign residents in Kathmandu and by foreign tourists. The clinic is staffed by foreigners and a doctor is on call on the clock. A consultation 45 USD, CCs accepted.

I went there to get malaria pills (since i was going to the Chitwan for the weekend). however, the doctor said since its' winter time, there is no risk at all. However, i brought some pills "just in case".

Some other piece of advice i gor from them on Malaria
no tablet is 100% effective against malaria, thus avoid mosquitos, take malaria tablets reqularily and treat fevers immediately not after one or 2 days.
Most common medicines
-chloroquine and paludrine – 2 weeks before exposure and 4 weeks afterwards
-mefloquine – take weekly, 2 weeks before and 4 weeks after, 10 USD/tablet, difficult to find but most effective
-doxycycline – take daily, 2 days before and 4 weeks after
-malarone – daily, 1 day before and 1 week later, 7 USD per tablet

Fondest memory: www.ciwec-clinic.com
phone - 4424111
opening hours - 9 am – 4 pm 1 hour (lunch break from 12 to 1), Monday – Friday
location - just across the UK embassy northeast of Thamel

Refrain from buying malaria pills form the local pharmacy around the corner in Nepali cities…..reports say as per the tests performed, over half of them are fakes….Chinese gangs copy virtually all brands….. not even the shopkeeper knows whether he’s selling an original or a fake one…..with the risks of getting adverse side effects or even worse, malaria resistant viruses higher than ever.

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Favorite thing: Out of the numerous ethnic groups in Nepal (Pahari, Sherpa, Tamang, Kiranti, Limbu, Gurung, etc), the Newari represent less than 5 %.
The term Newar applies roughly to the people who inhabited Kathmandu valley and its peripheries before the unification of Nepal and speaking Nepal Bhasa ("Newari" according to Statistics Nepal) or the languages progenitor of Nepal Bhasa.

The Newars form an urban society with highly developed craftsmanship and social structures, which reflected in the complexes around the Kathmandu valley and in other cities around Nepal (Tansen, Bandipur). It is the Newari temples and architecture which are the most impressive throughout all Nepal.
Newar practice both Buddhism (85%) and Hinduism.(15%) It is believed that the Newar were originally Buddhists but the long historical process of Sanskritization (adoption of Hindu rituals), led to the development of the Newar’s unique syncretic tradition.

Favorite thing: Water filter: saw these nifty I think Nalgene makes them, an american friend had one, I had never seen it before, she just put the tap water straight in, supposed to be a very good water filter.

Charcoal: Man, I never knew about this, but how would I when I travel with my family and live with my family in Kathmandu? Bring it...for however long you are staying, and/or traveling in Nepal, it will save your life.

Acidophilous sp?: Yeh, wish I knew so many years before....must have as well.

Qtip brand cotton swabs: You cannot get good cotton swabs in Nepal, just those sorry plastic with no cotton on the end..!

If you do get sick, there are good places to go:

If you have insurance, or don't, but have dough or it's an emergency and you need, good , HYGENIC medical attention: CIWEC clinic in Lazimpat just across from the British Embassy, and a few yards from the Indian Embassy.

Holistic: Kun fen clinic in Chhatrapati or Chhetrapati as it's commonly spelled: Get there early, they have hours before and after lunch...forgot the times, but you will be given a number so it's best to go there 30 minutes before as it is a popular and busy little place.
He is a traditional Tibetan 'doctor' who will read your pulse and look at your tongue (like acupuncturists do), they all speak English. I went there for some stomach issues (after being there for almost a year) and after eating some some tibetan herbs for 15 days, like 4 times or so a day, man, it all came out....and I never had a problem with my stomach after that.

The herbs have no taste, just bitter and dissolve like dirt, in fact, I think it is dirt, and you have to eat it like before breakfast, after lunch, before 5 after 7 pm, things like that, but man, it worked...you eat it with warm water.

Also, for acupuncture there is a chinese muslim doctor, Fatima in Tin chule above Boudha...most ex-pats will know her she used to have her office by the Kumari theatre...

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Favorite thing: OM MANI PADME HUMN (hail to the flower in the lotus) is the most common Buddhist prayer or mantra, and everybody "tells" it.

Each prayer wheel contains dozens of such prayers, and each prayer flag hanging from the top of a stupa, has the prayer printed on it.

Hence, when the pilgrim spins the prayer wheels while circumbulating around the temple, thousands of prayers “are told” at the same time. The wind tells the same prayer when it blows the prayer flags. Magic, simple….but different

Favorite thing: Not sure if this Bollywood movie making or local Nepali production.

The scene is real and the fist fight unreal. Lot of audience and tourists like me watching.

Hope to catch the movie if it has got English subtitles.

Favorite thing: At the Katmandu's open plazas, you will see the market places in the mornings.

Selling all kinds of local vegetable, fruits and farm produces.

Remember to wash your fruits well before peeling and cooked the vegetables well if you are into buying your own food and preparing them for consumption.

Favorite thing: Got my visa upon arrival at Katmandu airport. It was easy like a breeze. Just bring enough US Dollars.

From website: http://www.immi.gov.np/touristvisa.php

"Visa fee for visitors who enter Nepal for the first time in a visa year (Jan-Dec):

Single entry 60 days from the date of entry US$ 30 or equivalent convertible foreign currency."

Favorite thing: I am not sure if they are yogic gurus, religious holy men or hermits coming to town. You see them with their own unique wardrobe, face or body painting and amazing hairdo. Wonder what they are thinking or contemplating. Took a picture from a distance on one of these "interesting individuals".