Nepal 59, Baktapur Again

I really wanted Clare to see the old city, it is probably what Kathmandhu used to look like. It was once the Capital of Nepal and had 99 courtyards of which about 15 remain. It is of course an UNESCO world heritage site! What else! It’s not as busy as Kathmandhu and cleaner although I suspect the air is not, because of a mass of brick factories pumping out smoke that surround it. When I say factory, the bricks are hand pressed and hand stacked!

Clare wanted to go shopping and this is a great place to shop with it’s tourist shops for Pashminas, Carvings, trinkets etc.

Have I said how much I hate shopping? Actually it was useful to see what momentos I might buy when I am about to leave. It was also interesting to watch Clare bartering, she’s good at it! Watch and learn Debbie, Watch and learn!

Clare was measured for a gorgeous Kurtha, which meant we would be in Baktapur for another day while it was made. I don’t think they had ever had anyone as tall in their shop before! When we returned the next day Clair tried it on and it was stunning!

We came across a masked dance in one street which was funny, the man was chasing everyone.

We wandered the little streets with very old buildings heading for the Peacock Paper Factory, (a must see apparently), it was very well hidden. We found the shop, a rambling series of rooms with books cards and paper floor to ceiling. There was no one there, we could have walked out with half the stock. Well maybe not as Clare had stuffed her bag with souvenirs already! Then I saw a little hand written sign and we followed it across a courtyard and into a several story building that at first site looked derelict. An extraordinarily place all carved beams, with people hand printing, paper making from pulped bark, gluing and stamping. The building itself is a museum, Buddhist lessons carved on every surface.

On our way back we saw the masked dancers again

Shopping was tiring and I was happy to get back to the Dragon House where had a date with Romi, the ten year old, we had ‘playing card’ mountains to build and knock down amongst other games.

On the last day we ate Taro root with delicious home made pickle (fermented). I’ve never eaten it before, it’s a bit like potato, the texture more like butternut squash and with the pickle it was amazing! One to remember for Durga I think!