It has been another interesting week here in Kathmandu. We continue to develop relationships with new NGO’s and refine project proposals. Along with this are those things that we need to do as we prepare to exit Nepal and return to the US. It evokes both happy and sad feelings. We truly have enjoyed our time serving as humanitarian missionaries although it has been somewhat challenging. Chocolate helps a lot but not quite as much as prayer.
Besides the challenge of everything that is so different here, we have been coping with the delays inherent in any organization. We find that we want answers much faster than the hierarchy allows. When we add to that the waiting on the other end–we are kind of the middle man–it requires lots of patience.
Aside from all of this we found time to do some serious souvenir shopping. Manoj took us to the “ancient market” and helped us secure some great prices on various goods. The first store we went to required climbing a very steep set of stairs and ducking though two doorways to enter a room with goods stacked all around. I could stand upright, but just barely and poor Rick had to hunch over or sit. I wish I had taken a picture, but I think I was too much in shock to think of it. The following are pictures I did take from the excursion.
While out on our morning walk Tuesday and Wednesday we took note of some salesmen. The first was a man that has a mobile tea service. I didn’t get a very good picture, but he has a small stove inside a large metal bucket that has been cut to hold a large teapot. He carries paper cups and serves his product along the sidewalk as he walks along. Quite ingenious.
While walking through a neighborhood our paths crossed that of these two rug salesmen. They turned left and we went right as they called out their sales pitch while walking along the road. We were surprised to meet them again a half mile later as we both headed across Battisputali road toward our neighborhood.
We also saw one of the fanciest chicken trucks we have seen in either Nepal or India. Chicken trucks are a common sight and assure the local butcher shops have very fresh poultry. One of Nepal’s “farm to table” businesses.
Friday morning we went with our landlord to see his current business project. He is building a small “resort” as he calls it. It has a restaurant, bar, meeting room, a few semi-private dining areas and three hotel rooms. The restaurant and rooms have amazing views that include the Himalayas when the weather is clear. He has space to expand if the business prospers. It is well thought out and in a pretty, natural setting with forest preserve on one side. Krishna is trying to create a natural, traditional Newari feel to the resort. He is quite excited about it and invited us to return to Nepal for a free night’s stay, haha.
All the commerce and industry this week got me thinking about the major shopping trip I need to plan when we return home, so I’ve started a list…Tillamook cheese, ice cream, berries, beef roast…
As mentioned before, life here is full of contrasts and always interesting. One of the boys from church was looking at the pictures on my phone and wondered why I took pictures of dogs and monkeys and people doing what he considers normal, everyday things. All I could say was that these were not things I see at home. I only see monkeys at the zoo in the United States.
Here are a couple of dog pictures to end this post.
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