Home stay fun

Ten of the group travelled on the same flight from Brisbane. Fortunately Ratna was with us to take all the pain of guiding us through customs and finding our driver, who would take us to our accommodation. Three others were arriving on a later flight, so he bundled the six oldest (yep, that means us) into a van and off to our digs. It was around midnight Nepali time when we arrived. Ratna and the others waited for the next flight, but there were delays, so they didn't make it to their house until 4.30 in the morning. Because of the extremely rough road to their house, Ratna had to stand in the back of the van with arms outstretched, to stop the luggage falling onto the passengers. A lucky start for us!

Our house has 4 storeys . We are all situated on the second floor. The oldest farts claimed the ensuite so four of us share a bathroom, which has the toilet included. The shower has no walls, so when you have one, you spend as much time wiping up. After two cold showers in the mornings, I figured that the water should be hot in the evenings, when I ventured onto the rooftop to discover the solar hot water.  So last night I had my first hot shower. Ray managed to get one too, but the others missed out.

The family we are with are very welcoming. The house was built in 2015 just prior to the earthquake. They were due to move in the following week. Fortunately it received only minor damage. It's hard to tell how far it is from the city, but there are only wooded hills behind it, with an armed guard, to stop people chopping down the trees.

Yesterday we were up early for a 7am start. The family kindly cooked us breakfast at 6am. We were all ready at 7, standing outside with our shoes on (have to remove them at the door). By 8 am I was just about to remove my shoes and go inside when the bus arrived. We spent an excruciating morning with the whole group, waiting for people who would stop every five meters to barter. We did see some amazing temples and rubble, as the famous dhubar square was severely damaged in the quake.

Thes articulated vehicles are quite common. I can't tell you the name of them, but they have the trailer pulled by what amounts to a motor with two wheels, a seat and a rudder. Yes, a rudder. Front the effort it appears the drivers are putting in keeping them under control, especially when fully loaded (no, this one is not fully loaded), they are a beast to drive. Take note of the road in what is central Kathmandu near the ancient Durbar Square and the Golden Temple and other sacred locations.

A column, supported by wires, which looks like survued the earthquake.

Sold for a few cents per spoonful, these colorful ochres are used at festival time. I am not sure that the colours are natural, but they are bright. They have a special way of wrapping your multi coloured purchase in a small amount newspaper so that it will not spill out, but is easily accessible.

Jagmadu Pukhu. A pond without foundation. Apparently a demon help a lady carry some water and next thing you know he is lying under a rock at the bottom of the pond. When the sun reaches the rock (it is pretty murky most of the time) it will always rain.

Kathy, one of the volunteers, about to be in the doghouse. No the pile of stuff on the ground near the stuff is not from the aforementioned dog, but a decoration of ochres and flowers arranged in a pattern. This one was a bit messed up.

These embellished nooks and crannies are usually found around the perimeter of a stupa. Part of the cultural practice is to ring the bell and throw some ochre onto it. Some are also decorated with flowers, usually small marigolds.

This ornate structure is part one of the holy buildings in Durbar Square, an area which is often seen when a news story on Kathmandu is broadcast. The straps are for the holy ones to come to earth easily by using the straps as a slippery slide.

The 99 Bikes franchise in Kathmandu.

Another temple in Durbar Square. Many of them were damaged during the earthquake. Repairs continue.

Parking is at a premium, which, I guess, is why motorbikes are allowed to park between two holy mini stupas.

The outside of the Golden Temple. Inside we witnessed the local holy man involved in some unusual customs which I am sure made oerfect sense to his followers.

One of the ancient buildings in Durbar Square being held up by props. The building is still being used as many of the damaged buildings are. Looking at some of the props that are in place, I would suggest they either replace the props soon or get the building fixed poste haste as the props themselves are in danger of collapsing.

Just around the corner, the rebuilding of this temple is in full swing.

This sign outside of the temple in the pic shows the devastation, with this building the best example of it. It wasn't possible to get a shot if the building itself as it was surrounded by hoardings and fences.

Not sure whether or not this building was always a market but it is now. I thought it may have been some holy place or manastery as it is on the edge of Durbar Square.

Here is one of those taxis I mentioned in a previous post. There is only 7 or 8 people on board this one.