Where did I come from? Where did I go?

KATHMANDU! (Like the song says!)

30638063_896f6870ce_m, originally uploaded by errum.

Yes, this is belated I know, but surprise! (to and I have been busy with many things other than work.

However, now that we are here, Kathmandu was indeed intriguing - beautiful, peaceful (after a fashion), full of myths, pagodas, an autocratic king and protests. I did not say mountains, because well, hmmm... they are all over. The advantage of being in a valley is that you can see mountains from anywhere, blue, in the distance, soft wispy clouds floating atop. Even for a land lubber like me who derives much satisfaction from well, flat land and the sea.

I have much to say for Deepak, fellow blogger, presently in Nepal and my tour guide! He is a great host and has read up about the fantastic myths of the country. I couldn't not have had a better guide... Merci beaucoup mon ami!

***

Nepalis in Kathmandu belong to the Newari tribe, a heavy meat-eating community. So you have the most fancy food in the restaurants for non vegetarians and that includes wild boars, buffaloes, wild pigs etc... However, since the kingdom has a substantial Hindu-vegetarian population, they very courteously ask you every time if you are vegetarian before they serve you.

***

There is something about Nepalis and T-shirt slogans. I saw many men and women walking around with t-shirts that said the following gems: "I'm Sorry", "I'm a Virgin", "No Dates", "I only sleep with the best." Thereby provoking me to retort with the following inanities: "For what?!", "REally?!" "Some Arab blood in you?" "How interessting! But how do you figure the best?"

They say a repressed society finds its own ways of expressing itself!

Tailpiece

And if you are wondering, like my seven-year old cousin, why this picture is up on a post on Kathmandu, it is because the skyscapes are stunning. For the other pics, more representative of the city-town, click here!