We’re back in Kathmandu for a couple of days before we take off. Yes, we had to take another bus and told Côme we had no choice. This time around we’re in another neighborhood, close to the airport. Right from the start we realize Kathmandu has many different faces. This side of town is nothing like the Kathmandu we knew. Our stroll first take us to a fancy neighborhood. There are only big houses with huge guarded fences and barbwired walls. It is far from the commotion, the traffic noise and busy streets. Then we are on our way to another neighborhood, one that is close to Buddha stupa, the biggest stupa in Nepal. We really like it there, the stalls are charming, the temple is beautiful, there are colorful painted walls, a gigantic praying wheel and everyone is walking clockwise around the stupa.
The last neighborhood we will visit, near the temple Pashupatinath, is quite different from anywhere else. There, Doo pretty much feels like he’s back in India. There are cows in the street, monkeys, sadhus, cremation and extreme poverty. Once again, Côme is enjoying pursuing the monkeys and giving them food. Julia and Doo are not as comfortable and are looking forward to another adventure. On our last day, we spend a good part of the afternoon chilling in a park/forest where the monkeys live. Tonight, we fly to Kuala Lumpur. Côme is super excited on the plane, he’s got his own individual TV set!!!
These past couple of days, Côme:
Did not understand: why there was a goat in the bus and a dog in a clothing store.
Learnt: that people use wiring on the windows so that monkeys don’t go into their houses.
Liked: the huge golden cow.
Julia:
Did not understand: the signification of peacock feathers in the offerings.
Learnt: that female monks existed.
Enjoyed: walking around the stupa clockwise with everyone else.
Doo:
Did not understand: why a dog was barking all night.
Learnt: that there was an Indian neighborhood in Kathmandu.
Enjoyed: watching the monkeys climb easily on people’s houses.