Out on the Town

Nardev and I spent the day together touring Kathmandu on motorcycle. I was a little nervous at first, since the traffic is so hectic and I pretty much HATE the whole concept of motorcycles, but my nerves were eased when I realized how fun it was. It was the perfect way to get a taste of the city-especially on a hot day with the wind was brushing past my face.

We visited the “Monkey Temple” first. Swayambhunath is one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Kathmandu. The monkeys roam the walkways and temples-as do stray dogs and pigeons. I spent a long time looking through the little shops, talking and bartering with the sellers, and buying souvenirs.




We also stopped and had lunch-rice and daal (or lentil soup) and I guzzled down a jug of “Aqua Pure” water…today was HOT and I’m trying to avoid dehydration. Nardev started talking to me about work. I was asking what the people were like at Human Rights News and Research Center…and he basically told me that I didn’t have to work there if I didn’t want to. ??? I was a little puzzled by this, but he went on to say that I could meet with another organization tomorrow to see if it was a better fit. This other organization is a Peace and Democracy org which apparently works within the Nepali court system and with larger organizations like…UNICEF. Um…no big deal…just my dream job. The dude in charge is looking for an intern who speaks English eloquently and who will be able to help seek funding from these larger orgs. Sign me up!! So, I have a meeting with him tomorrow at 4:00. BIG SMILE!!!

After the “Monkey Temple” we took a short ride to Buddha Park. It was much smaller in size, but is home to three enormous Buddha statues, each a different stage of his life.



Finally, we stopped by a cremation, but I wasn’t really into watching the sacred ritual, so we decided to leave. I think that watching from a distance is sufficient. I would hate to have some random tourist at my families’ cremation ceremony.

That’s all for now…

Peace. Love. Buddha.