Kathmandu 25-26 October 2019

Greg started the journey from Montreux. Here is the packed up gear for both Christine and him, within the constraints of what the Nepalese porters can carry In case we wanted to make tea or coffee while on the trail, we decided to bring a pot and lid. The trekking company provided a camp stove and cannisters To pick up a third pair of micro-crampons for the team, Greg visited the Bächli flagship store in Oerlikon It was the start of the winter season, however that is defined, and Bächli was giving away bratwursts Bratwurst, brot und senf, along with Schörli. This is what loyal customers appreciate!
Walking up from tram stop, it's clear that the building at 1 Mimosenstrasse is undergoing a serious transformation Brigitte's gear now incorporated in the luggage, all within the Oman Air baggage regs Once Brigitte and Greg got into the Arab world, there were still signs of the West: sound it out (R to L)-mak-donal-ds Bri a bit cold during the layover in the Muscat airport But there were entertaining sites as well. For example, a Sinbad made of Legos!
Meanwhile, having arrived the night before from Shanghai, Christine was beginning to explore Kathmandu. This is the small temple at the "gate" to the Nepal Cottage Resort driveway Turn the corner and it's full on wires. No problem recognizing this scene from 10 years before! It's probably only gotten worse (more lines gone in) since then At least this stretch of road is paved. Very different than parallel road (it seems to be mostly pedestrian tourists) Ah! This explains why fewer cars (still some scooters who don't think the policy applies to them) something appears in the distance...
Dharmadhaatu Stupa - Thahiti Chowk (time lapse) Dharmadhaatu Stupa - Thahiti Chowk Dharmadhaatu Stupa - Thahiti Chowk Dharmadhaatu Stupa - Thahiti Chowk Dharmadhaatu Stupa - Thahiti Chowk
Dharmadhaatu Stupa - Thahiti Chowk Building facing Dharmadhaatu Stupa - Thahiti Chowk in the courtyard of the Dharmadhaatu Stupa - Thahiti Chowk It is 25th Oct, two days before Diwali, the 2nd most celebrated hindu festival in Nepal after Dashain (Dussehra). In addition vermillion, there are a lot of people selling and buying other colors of Kumkuma to apply to their foreheads In this festival, people not only celebrate the Gods but the animals and birds which share a close relationship with them. And there's a lot of Kumkuma involved!
Scooters regularly serve as taxis in the tight streets of Kathmandu. This is probably not a taxi with a woman driver! Turning only 90 degrees from the pose where the scooter photo was taken is a merchant of said Kumkuma as well as the second key ingredient for celebrating Diwali: marigolds (these are fake) now 180 degrees from the scooter driver is a temple on whose steps millions of marigolds (sayapatri) await the next phase of their journey Aakash Bhairabh, Indra Chowk the crowds of local people doing their shopping are intense in Aakash Bhairabh, Indra Chowk
Aakash Bhairabh, Indra Chowk A little further south is one of the entrances of Durbar Square Temples in Durbar Square visible above the out wall lined with shops IMG 3794 ladies gathered in Durbar Square
Durbar Square Durbar Square temples are all fully restored after the 2015 earthquake Probably Vishnu Temple in Durbar Square Carving Of Hanuman Dhoka on a door in Durbar Square inside one of the courtyards in Durbar Square
Inside Hanuman Dhoka The point of this photo is that the air in Kathmandu, even when in a world heritage site, was heavily polluted. A face mask helped The point of this photo is the statue (one of a pair guarding a gate to a palace) to my right like this! passed the giant guards into the courtyard
back out in Indra Chowk, this mobile merchant was playing the instruments he sells tree of flutes they appeared everywhere. Apparently the boy found them interesting also! Felted wool products are very popular in the gift shops. These bags (for four points) have pockets (five points) for puppets (many points!) the customer is free to choose which puppets to include in a bag
There used to be many more bookstores in Thamel than there are today. Now they sell paper maps and an assortment of calendars Christine was asked to find maps. This is one ... of many that fit the description ... she decided to wait on any map purchases Across the street from the bookstore was the Northfield Cafe featuring Jesse James and Mexican food further down... Full Moon Cafe These will look a lot more appealing after the trek!
Pointsetta plants grow into trees in Nepal. This one is outside the room in which we were staying Meanwhile, at the airport, the bags made it to Kathmandu and Greg and Brigitte head to the exit Outside, thousands of live chicks from Thailand Once at the Nepal Cottage Resort our trekking crew formed, wearing our marigold necklaces Our triple room at Nepal Cottage Resort in the middle of Thamel
Thamel street scene, cleaner and more filled with tourists than a decade ago New Orleans Café was chosen for our first dinner in Kathmandu the band starts up three guys, one on guitar
the second on flute and the third on tabla drums. Quite accomplished musicians After dinner strolling back to our lodgings, we spot knock-off North Face gear for little people And this sign... what were they thinking? this is a Trekkers' Grocery Store - totally different scale than anything else we've seen in Thamel Chocolate from Germany
Back at our room in Nepal Cottage Resort (inside we are repacking our bags)