Many Days

Many days have passed since I was able to publish to my blog. All that has changed. I now have Internet access in my room at the school, when there is electricity, and when I am not teaching or tutoring.

But rather than overwhelm you like I have been, let's start with the morning view from my room. In the far distance is a lower peak of the Annapurna Range, some lower hills, the back side, top floor of the main monastery building and some beautiful flowering Bougainvillea. (?)

Turning to the left are my neighbors who rise a bit earlier than I but sometimes I catch sight of them scaling up to the roof. Here's a glimpse.

The "genome study of the Rhesus Macaque shows that humans and macaques share about 93% of their DNA sequence and shared a common ancestor roughly 25 million years ago."  (Wikipedia)

So besides being my neighbor he's my cousin.

Every night is cold and every day warms up . I wear a t-shirt AND flannel pj's and two thick and heavy blankets at night, and a hot water bottle to remove the day's ills from my back, and strip down to the lightest t-shirt in the sun by midday, only to bundle up for going down to dinner at 6:30. The monastery has no heat as far as I can tell. Breakfast in the dining hall is freezing and the windows are wide open. (What about the monkeys?) I wear a t-shirt, nylon vest, fleece and pashmina wrap and still I am cold until the steaming hot victuals enter my system  


So now for the best part of all -  my new students the ever energetic, all male population of young Buddhist monks. This was taken in the dining hall on a day off. My dear friend Anne had at the last moment a few days before my departure, dropped off some supplies and they included a cutsie deck of cards in the shape of snowmen. They are playing "High Card Take All." The kids informed me that they only play cards at New Years. Losar, their New Years is not until February.  Oh well all bad influences come from western lands. lol

The Honeymoon Is Over

Or why don't I ever read the fine print?

No hot water
Power cut with no schedule
3 flights up stairs in the monastery plus unlit path walk to get to room
No heat
No sheets
No pillowcases
No chair for computer use
No toilet paper
No students for two days!

And I must never forget to close the windows when I leave or the monkeys will get in AND WREAK HAVOC.


Not to mention I need:
Gallon of Lysol
Rubber Gloves
Broom
Bag of rags
Windex
Incense


Flew from Kathmandu to Pokhara; half hour ride $91 ticket 179 rupees airport tax, about $2.50 US.
Small plane, as we waited outside plane in a line to board got to see two men struggling with my heavy luggage. Oh, yes that cost me about $30 extra.

Petite Discoveries

Removing earplugs relieves one of the belief that the water they showered in last night has polluted their sinuses

Kathmandu does have dogs assigned to bark all night

Earplugs are now more valuable than "universal sink stopper"

Tax on restaurant food is 13 percent

SC - (10% service charge on the restaurant bill) is also a mystery to the waiter; but no "it is not a tip"

Tax, plus mystery service charge plus tip equals additional 45% of the food cost

All universal electrical plug kits are not equal (not sure what to risk frying first)

Well, at least I'm cozy in my room at the Kantipur Temple, Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal.

More Cab Views

Common transportation mode, inexpensive but accident prone.

 Many wheels, many people, many face masks.

Cab Ride

This street was one of the less congested. As you can see motorbikes abound and riders wear face masks to protect themselves from the pollution, to which of course they are making a "healthy" contribution.

Ride from Airport

This was taken from inside cab window. I truly could reach out and touch many someones.

Kantipur Temple Hotel

The ride from Tribuvan Airport to the hotel was as promised; hair raising for some (like someone I left home), but delightfully on the edge for me. 

My large room has a very beckoning triple window seat overlooking the courtyard, inviting one to sit, read, rest, write. The windows open, but there are no screens. It's in the mid-range for Nepal - 60 dollars a night. 

To make things easier on guests, the electric lights out schedule is posted for every night this week. Some nights the electric will go off as early as 5:30! Not sure what happens in the restaurant. In the bedroom there is a single bulb up high by the door which will kick in from the hotel's generator.

Partook of a very delicious chicken tikka masala - not too spicy, little sweet tomato taste, not too much, served with organic brown rice. I chatted with the wait staff and learned that both young men one Kripan, aged 21, and the other Keshab, age 23, are college students. Kripan is studying business management and Keshab, an education major, wants to be a "good teacher in the future". Their English was excellent and as they may very well be reading this so I must also say that they were a pleasure to meet!

The key for the room has a story all it's own, at least that's the message padlocks send to me. Slight change from the old key card. lol

(I am having trouble uploading photos, the connection is very slow, will work on it, 'cause ya gotta see the photos)