We are now in Kathmandu. Sorry that there has been a lack of BLOG, but we have not seen an internet cafe on the whole of our pilgrimage route.
What I will do is fill in the gap with installments as if we were on the pilgrimage, but not now. First, here in Kathmandu after 20 years, it is a great shock. Its so set up for tourists now, I knew it would have changed, but this is beyond belief. Thamel just goes on for ever, not just Freak street and the German Bakery now!
It comes as such a shock after spending about 2 weeks entirely with Hindu Pilgrims, we saw 3 white people the whole time we were on the pilgrimage, and we met a bunch of Pilgrims from Wembley! (We hope to meet up with them on our return to the UK. To find out their oppinions of the Pilgrimage route as British Asians will be very interesting)
The temples here are really interesting to see now that we have been imersed in Hinduism for weeks, this strange blend of Hindu and Buddhist, butter lamps and Ganesh, bells and stupas. It is fanscinating. Walked through to Durbar Square (the main square in K) last night, late afternoon. Many people were out shopping for vegatables, making puja (an act of worship) as they were passing. Darshan (giving a view of the resident god) was happening in one temple and below there was a mayhem of veg. and motorbike horns and shoe salesmen. It reminded me of when you are in a muslim country and the call to prayer comes and everyone just bumbles along ignoring it. Here Hinduism is just a part of everyday life. It is like making a performance piece on the way home from work, although of course it is a religious act.
One temple was surrounded by Pidgeons, this is my worst night mare seeing that I am affraid of birds, but Adrian made a great recording or thier sound.
We also fell upon a stupa, a copy of the Swayambunath Stupa (stupa is a a round mound topped with a sculpture, used in buddhist worship). I have never seen this before. Gee (clarified butter) was being thrown down its sides and again the surrounding mini stupas were a mix of Buddhas and Hindu Deities. However, the highlight was an impromptue game of cricket, Adrian was a bit of a hit with the ladies.
So more catch up news to come. For now, we have a HOLIDAY in Thamel
