Nepal 36, Slumming It Again!

Slumming it again was a bit of a shock. I chose a hotel that had the equivalent of 3 stars but, actually the 1 star hotel I went to before (once Dad left) was far better than this. This one had cold showers (I know its meant to be good for me), a lumpy bed and noisy, (the hotel not the bed). I’m so glad I have my sleeping bag. The cook didn’t show up for breakfast and the plugs in my room only worked when they want to! It was clean but, it felt rather exposed with people coming and going at all times of the night along the balcony outside. I put a table up against the door, as a secondary barrier although I didn’t feel that unsafe . I have one more night here and then I’m going to try out another hotel because this sort of place is a bit raw.

When Clare arrives later in January we will be sharing and we can afford a bit nicer accomodation so I need to find somewhere suitable!

Its easy to fall into a sort of stupor here, it has that kind of effect on me anyway! Its so noisy and there are no green spaces apart from The Garden of Dreams (where I’ve taken to doing my homework) and few select cafés. On my wanderings I did find a very sad and quiet place off the main road. A temple badly in need of repair, I guess its just a little too far from the madding crowd. I don’t linger here because I could see its used by the homeless, pigeons and rats.

I’ve seen a few more tourists in Thamel now, probably due to the holidays in Europe.
I have to stay for a few days as I have things to do before I head to India in the New Year.  When I get back here, Clare then arrives.

Although Kathmandhu is not my favourite place I will concentrate on my Nepali Lessons which I’ve rather neglected. I’m now learning to read and write in Devanagari, the script of Nepal and Northern India.

I went to get my Visa extended for a few days. I had misunderstood the visa conditions when I arrived regarding multiple entries to the country. Anyway the process was relatively smooth and I will be here legally for the remainder of my stay, I’m sure you’re all relieved to hear I will not be sampling the local jail for overstaying (although some of the hotel’s do have a passing resemblance).

On my way back I passed this massive covered market. I guess during the monsoon this maybe the only place to go! It looked very dark inside. The veiw from above looked like a tarpaulin road.

I wandered back to the hotel through the narrow lanes. Everything is made or mended here. Fancy doors, clothing, shoes, carpets and all sorts of ‘knock off’ stuff. The one thing I need that I haven’t found is a new watch strap, mine being leather didn’t like the hot sticky weather of the Terai and is falling to bits. Everyone wants to sell me a new watch!

I ambled into what appeared to be a men’s clothing area, I must say I rather like their ceremonial outfits, I wonder if they would be shocked if I asked to try one on! In this area was the first shop I saw that was related to sex, a condom shop! I was very surprised as the people seem so conservative about such things here. And no I didnt go in and I didn’t get a picture!

I start to properly look at the buildings, most are modern (sat on a medieval footprint) but, there are still a few of the old ones. You can see how susceptible they are to earthquakes (above) which is why so few are left. Many are braced as you can see in the picture below.