Follow the heart(s): Weekend 2: Lonely Planet Walking Tour

My second weekend here started with Nipesh, Sahadev, and two of their friends coming over the Friday night for drinks and food sharing. I attempted to make pancakes for maple syrup (a challenge when I was trying to substitute eggs and milk as well!), and they made BBQ: mutton and chicken. For the BBQ portion, we actually set up a small campfire on the back porch and sat around it. It was a lot of fun sitting outside, drinking beer, eating meat, and chatting. Unfortunately I still have very little Nepali so I didn't follow a lot of the conversation.

BBQ!

The next morning I slept in and caught up on things (like blog posts...) before heading out on the Lonely Planet's walking tour. The tour starts in Thamel square, but I started by walking there (4km). I then followed the tour, seeing all sorts of bustling streets and squares, as well as countless historical monuments. At one isolated Buddhist temple (a mini Swayambunath), an artist called to me and for whatever reason I listened and followed him into his shop - normally I just ignore the countless hawkers. In the shop I discovered he was a student and was thus stuck working the Saturday. He showed me his work and his masters work, explaining stories. The works were impressively detailed and relatively affordable. After some negotiation (go me!) I ended up purchasing two paintings for souvenirs.

The rest of the walking tour brought me to historic Kathmandu with the main shopping street - Asan Tole. I also discovered my student card gets me into Durbar Square for free. Eventually I returned home via a different residential street where a child approached me saying "hello, where are you from?". I said hi and was friendly but kept walking, having read about street children looking for sweets or money (who remain street children because they receive both!). He eventually asked me where I was going, to which I replied: "home". He became quite confused at this and stopped following me. Guess I don't look like I belong here :). I was exhausted after the walk - I estimate it was 10-12km total. Of course that's the only exercise available so take it while I can!

Clear enough day to see the hills around the Valley! And the wonderful state of the road TUTH is on...

A better road and more typical of the useful roads used to get around

A rare area where one can sit peacefully.

The former palace. There's now apparently a poor quality museum in it. The Kingsway road runs immediately south of here. Many familiar brands have shops there.

A common sight. Dogs are everywhere!