Isak Dinesen (via farebellafigura)
sara kate ference
You’ll find these flags strung everywhere in Nepal. They are Buddhist prayer flags. On them are mantras and prayers. When touched by the wind, they send the good fortune and peace promised in them to all those who feel the same breeze. I love this.
As I watched the flags sway softly in the wind, I said my own prayer that I would return to Nepal again someday. As the same wind touched my cheeks, I felt the peace of knowing, in my heart, that this was a promise that would be kept.
the top of the world and her big city below
Final post on Kathmandu [finally]
Our final day in Kathmandu started early as we boarded a small plane which would take us on our ‘Everest Encounter.’ A spectacular flight with amazing views, our plane flew parallel to the infamous Himalayas, Everest included. The grandeur of Everest and its family is beyond description. How humbling to be so close to the very top of the Earth.
The rest of the day was spent exploring Kathmandu city. A day cannot do this large city justice, and we knew it, but we saw what we could. From slum neighborhoods to monkey-infested temples, we made our way through this city and found it to be, quite frankly, beautiful.
part two of three
Bhakapur
At the end of day one, we decided to spend the night in the nearby city of Bhaktapur. It is famous for it’s historic architecture and medieval feel. wandering around this place was really something. and thanks to excellent planning, we landed there with perfect light for photograph taking.
Unfortunately it gets dark very early there but fortunately you know when you have reached its end because there are gates on all sides, indicating city limits. even still, we totally got lost! it wasn’t scary - just confusing wandering though the maze of streets. the darkness was very real, though. one easily forgets what life would be like without electricity. it was not that Bhaktapur is entirely without electricity, just certain places at certain times of the day/night. we figured that out when we could not get half of our lights in the hotel room to turn on. said the front desk attendant, “no, no problem with the electricity. you just don’t have any right now. it will turn on later.”
we waited in the lobby restaurant (which had electricity, funny enough but still no heat) and warmed out hands over the candle flame of our table while clinging to our warm mugs of hot cocoa.
BUT the best was yet to come! We had a ‘trekking’ (hiking) date the following day.
How could we come all the way to Nepal and not going trekking?? Right? So we hired a guide to take us on a popular day hike from Nagarkot to Changu Naryan Temple. We began our trek at about 4,000 feet with clear views (we were so lucky) of the famous Himalayan mountains! As you can imagine, we took lots of photographs up there. An Australian swore that you could see Everest from where we were (yes, it was very clear) but a Nepalese guy who lives in a village near the base of Everest told us not to be so sure. Hmm..who to believe…. Anyway, I was close to the infamous Everest and that was enough to excite me.
Our trekking was more like a decent walk from village to village along the mountain. It was a better taste of the rural and beautiful Nepal I had hoped for. What an experience!
WAY overdue post on my trip Kathmandu: part one of three
at the end of my adventure in India, I took a small excursion to Nepal. I figured I was in the neighborhood and might not find myself in the vicinity again for some time.
In short, it was wonderful. Kathmandu is set in a valley, surrounded by beautiful mountains and filled with lovely people. It is not a modern city but it is alive with a palpable richness.
Day one was spent exploring smaller streets, wandering among the shops and returning a “Namaste” to nearly everyone we met. I hate to compare the two, but if you have not been to India you might find shopping in Kathmandu a little hectic. If you have been to India, Kathmandu is a heavenly break from real chaos.
It was cold. And that cold was even more pronounced when we discovered that neither our hotel nor any restaurants have heating! But, in a way, bundling up and venturing out into the cold of Nepal had a charm to it. There is nothing I love more on a person than pink cheeks and red nose that come from weathering the cold.
Dear India,
I have much to say but I will be brief. You have taught me so much about beauty and poverty and people and life. I leave a different, better person than I was when I came to you. Thank you for helping me grow.
Never mind that I did not see all of you. How could I in only four short months? You are so huge and I am so small.
We both know very well that I will return. When I do, I will see the places and meet people I did not the first time. And you will teach me more and I will learn from you.
In the meantime, I will miss you. Please take care of Maitri and my friends.
There is no ‘goodbye’ because this is not the end. But I will say, ‘Phir Melenge, India’ (see you soon).
Yours,
skf
Last Saturday we explored a few of Delhi’s famous sites: Red Fort and Humayun’s Tomb. It is rather unfortunate that we are only getting to know our own city just days before we leave. But, in living here for several months, I realized that Delhi is SO LARGE that one cannot possibly see it all. It is also true that regardless of how much I have seen of it, I am going to miss Delhi a whole lot.
And anyway, it is an excuse to come back!!
good things to come. skf
Final Day at Maitri
I suppose I always knew the end of this would come, but no matter how much I plan for it (or don’t) it always seems to catch me off guard. And I am left there standing on the corner of a busy Delhi street, wondering where time has gone and why it had to go so soon. I have never liked goodbyes.
But perhaps those endings are the best, for we know that a sad ending must speak of a meaningful experience, a beautiful journey.
The sweet Maitri staff put on a lovely little going away party for us complete with an Indian spread and many well wishes. Most rewarding for me was sitting amongst people whom I had grown to love and respect during my time here. And knowing, too, that I had been a part of something real and good.
Good things have come and now gone. What an adventure it has been!
And even still, good things to come. skf
Sari Time!
finally got around to buying THE Sari. How can you leave India without one?
Said Anita, our fellow coworker and shopping guru,
“Shopping for Saris is a challenge. You have to see many before you know the right one.”
And it was, kind of. Because you have so many to choose from! After going through many shops and hundreds of Saris (notice the rows and rows behind me!!), I found the one. Lovely, no?
Now I just need a party to wear it to…
good things to come.skf
