Journey to Bhaktapur & Patan

500 year old Peacock window in Bhaktapur.

Typical school uniform. Each school has its own combo of colors for shirt, trouser, skirt and tie. What can she be thinking?

You gotta love those hats.

On the bus to Bhaktapur. These two were very shy.
Well, you can see why they were shy. What would you think if THIS was trying to take your picture.

Another former airline manager, becoming a sadu, in vain attempt to atone for his sins (i.e. screwing airline employees)

A penholder. Who would have thought?

After just passing the Prime Minister's Office, a big to do occurred. A much anticipated first visit by the PM to India. This is his motorcade on the way to TIA (airport).

The political ins & outs of this trip are enormous here in Nepal. Recall that the Maoist government that resigned in MAY made its first trip a visit to China. The effect of China and India on the buffer state of Nepal and the jockeying for influence is the prime fodder for the editorial pages and the conspiracy theorists. The current gov't got most of its education in India and spent many years there. So, there is little doubt about where their political loyalties lay. The Maoists, who still claim that it is they who should head the current gov't (they did win the last election), are constantly threatening agitation against this "puppet" (pro Indian) gov't. Recall that plus 10,000 were killed during the ten year (1996-2006) agitation last time.

Anyhow, I am glad to leave because I can feel the political heat rising. At some point, it WILL boil over and I wish to be elsewhere when it does.

Road Nazi! Note the knock off handbag. These girls drive their scooters around with scant regard for other traffic. They simply lean on the horn and proceed forward, with zero thought of giving way or, gasp, stopping. One would do well to give them a wide berth.

How's this for an example of scaffolding?

Other school uniforms.

More examples of school uniforms.

A dog's life. They seem to be owned by nobody. They just roam free and scavenge the garbage.

These dogs have taken up residence at the entrance to the Parliament building and Royal Palace. A rather mangy lot but I won't be messing with them.



These pictures were taken during my trips to Bhaktapur and Patan. There are three Durbar Squares that are meant to be seen. One each for Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Patan. Each was built by different dynasties in the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries in an attempt to outdo the other. For me, they are just more sacred Hindu places. And, there are NO shortage of those!

I have arranged for my travel on 07SEP and will arrive BOS late on 08SEP.