Kathmandu Favorites

4 more images

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...

4 more images

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".

Favorite thing: There many unique Nepali brassware, masks, musical flutes, Tibetan small drums, beads, etc that laid on the floor like a flea market. Interesting to just stroll around in late afternoon or evening and check out any souvenir or bargains to decorate back home.