March 8, 2018, Thursday, Sunny, Kathmandu, Nepal
We arrived to Kathmandu yesterday afternoon. At the airport, we filled in visa application on a machine and no need to give photos to the visa officer. I guess it is new, so convenient! But I saw many people go to the visa officer without fill in the application on the machine and they did not prepare pictures, so, they have to pay for that.
In order to be safe, we took the prepaid taxi, costs 750rs, more than double I expected. The street was busy, but the most impressive thing is the dust pollution. I felt it is more serious than Delhi. Luckily there’s no tuktuks, not that noisy. At the end, we passed narrow streets with small shops and we arrived out hotel. David said it is most exotic city he had ever visited. We found a vegetarian restaurant nearby and had our dinner. I ordered momos (dumplings) and a hot and sour soup. The momos was with too much curry and the soup made me feel like throwing up. We decided to do not go to that restaurant again. On my way to home, I bought some lentils for 20rs and vegetables for 65rs.
This morning, after having a big breakfast, we walked to a ruined square. On our way we bought some necklaces and 2 table cloths. We both took a lot pictures. In the afternoon, we walked to the famous Monkey temple. On our way, we found a restaurant. David ordered Buffalo momos, I ordered veggie momos. We both found buffalo momos are very tasty.
At the temple, I bought an antique bag. We enjoyed our walking, did not take any taxi. The air is very dusty, so I bought a good quality mask on our way. In the evening, I cooked some veggies rice in the hotel kitchen. I found people are pretty honest and friendly here. For example, on our way back to home, a group of Nepal kids said hello and took pictures with us.
- David registered a plane trip to the Himalayan mountains. He needs to get up early tomorrow…
- David got sick starting after a couple of days in Delhi, after a late dinner meal in that expensive hotel. He still has it now. Hope he can recover soon.
- Momo is a popular dish in Nepal. Similar to Chinese pot stickers, can be steamed or fried.
Yanmei
[David writing here]
I have to add one more interesting story about this picture.
As Yanmei was taking this shot a fight between two monkeys was breaking out behind her. You can see the monkey on Buddha’s shoulder is very interested and even I am not looking at the camera. The instant after this pic, the monkey jumped down and charged into the fray. Other monkeys were running to join in as well, but it was all over in about 2 seconds, because two stray dogs ran in and broke it up and chased the fighters up separate trees. It was interesting how the dogs instantly became the peace keepers.
David
